Commuters across New Jersey, including many in the Lakewood area, are now paying more to ride NJ Transit after the agency’s annual 3% fare increase took effect Tuesday. The increase applies to train, bus, and light rail service throughout the state.

Under the new fare structure, a one-zone adult bus ticket now costs $1.90, while a six-zone interstate bus trip costs $9.70. Fares for children, senior citizens, and passengers with disabilities remain unchanged.

NJ Transit said the automatic annual fare adjustment is designed to help offset rising operating costs while providing a more stable funding source and avoiding larger fare increases in the future.

The fare hike has drawn mixed reactions from riders. While some commuters say they understand the need for the increase, others believe improved reliability and fewer service delays should accompany higher fares.