NJ Transit's new CEO, Kris Kolluri, is taking the reins after a tumultuous period for the company.

With over a quarter-billion riders in 2023, NJ Transit is a lifeline for tens of thousands of New Jersey residents. However, the commute is not always smooth, and last year's "summer of hell" led to a one-week fare holiday to apologize to riders.

Kolluri, who takes the train every morning, has a 12-point plan to improve the system. He's already streamlined communication to ensure that the app, arrival boards, and loudspeakers provide consistent information, even when there are delays.

The company is also working with Amtrak to address issues on the Northeast Corridor, where Amtrak's overhead wires caused major delays last summer. Kolluri reports that 240 track-miles of wire have been repaired.

However, a potential strike by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen on March 22 could disrupt service. Kolluri hopes to reach a fair agreement with the union, which has been without a new labor contract for five years.