Tragic Consequences of NJ Transit’s Dangerous Contracting Practices: When Profit Over Safety Costs Lives

Tragic Consequences of NJ Transit’s Dangerous Contracting Practices: When Profit Over Safety Costs Lives

Every day, residents in New Jersey rely on public transit systems to safely reach their destinations, trusting that NJ Transit and its contracted companies will prioritize safety and accountability. Unfortunately, that trust has been deeply betrayed, and lives have been tragically lost as a result. The deaths of young, promising individuals like musician Deshon Johnson—known in the music world as Sean M or Sean Mason—and his friend, Christen Nobel Ross a mother of one child, who were struck and killed in 2012 by Coach USA-operated buses contracted by NJ Transit, underscore a systemic problem that demands urgent action.

 In an apparent drive to cut costs, NJ Transit has increasingly contracted bus services to private companies like Coach USA. However, reports indicate that these companies may be failing to meet the most basic safety standards. They employ Haitian and other foreign drivers who can not speak English. Or who may not meet qualifications for safe operation of vehicles or communication with passengers in English, and some are reportedly individuals with past criminal records or mental health issues. This disturbing trend has placed innocent residents in harm's way, exposing a pattern of negligence that has had devastating consequences.

The Need for Accountability and a Call for Justice

Deshon Johnson and Christen Nobel Ross are just two of many who have lost their lives as a result of what appears to be severe negligence and cost-cutting measures. Both were young and had bright futures ahead of them. Deshon, a talented artist and performer known for his music and stage presence, was struck down by a bus driver contracted through a cost-focused partnership between NJ Transit and Coach USA. The drivers reportedly lacked adequate oversight, and some have expressed concern that many of these employees were insufficiently vetted or properly trained.

Governor Phil Murphy’s Role and NJ Transit Leadership’s Oversight

The responsibility for this oversight failure lies not only with NJ Transit and its contractors but extends to the highest levels of New Jersey's government. NJ Transit operates under the leadership of Governor Phil Murphy, who appoints the officials responsible for overseeing New Jersey's Department of Transportation. The question arises: are these leaders aware of the risks to public safety? Are they ensuring that contracted drivers are properly vetted, trained, and held accountable?

This isn’t just about contracts and cost-saving measures; it’s about lives, safety, and justice for the families who have lost loved ones. When public trust is placed in a transit system, the people expect—and deserve—competent, carefully selected, and rigorously trained operators. Instead, there seems to be a pattern of negligence that prioritizes cost-saving over human lives, resulting in repeated tragedies.

Where Are the Regulators, Prosecutors, and Legal Advocates?

Families like Deshon’s are left devastated and seeking justice for the preventable loss of their loved ones. But, shockingly, their pleas have often been met with silence or weak responses from prosecutors who classify these incidents as mere accidents. The lack of prosecutor vigor and advocacy for these families’ rights adds another layer of injustice. These families does not get any acknowledgement for the governor or any other political figures. The families deserve more than just being ignored; they deserve a system that truly values their loss and is committed to preventing future tragedies. There are grounds to demand a federal investigation, for this is not just an isolated incident—it’s an ongoing crisis. 

A Call for a Class Action Lawsuit

It’s time to hold NJ Transit, Coach USA, and every responsible official accountable. It’s time to demand a complete overhaul of hiring, vetting, and training standards, particularly when public safety is at stake. A class action lawsuit may be one of the only ways to compel these agencies to answer for their failures. If enough families come forward, the strength in numbers may finally shed light on the practices that have enabled unqualified drivers to operate public transit vehicles without regard for public safety.

For those affected, including families like Deshon Johnson’s, no lawsuit can fully restore what was lost. But by demanding accountability and real change, we can prevent future families from enduring the same heartbreak.

How Negligence, Political Favoritism, and Legal Maneuvering Shield Bus Companies from Accountability in New Jersey

The attorneys representing these families don’t seem to care about getting justice; they appear more focused on lining their pockets with lawsuit money. Meanwhile, prosecutors cover up these deaths, labeling them as mere accidents to shield the bus companies from liability and shift blame onto the victims. This strategy allows bus companies to avoid paying large settlements to grieving families. Such actions by prosecutors are not only a grave disservice to the victims and their families but may also constitute criminal conduct.

In addition, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has altered the classification of fatal incidents. Now, when someone is killed, these events are called "collisions" rather than "accidents." This re branding subtly shifts responsibility onto the victims and drivers, benefiting the bus companies and sparing them from greater accountability. This practice reflects political favoritism, which obstructs justice.

"Injustice on the Roads: How NJ Transit and Legal Loopholes Deny Justice for Victims of Fatal Bus Collisions"

When prosecutors close these cases without taking them to trial, they infringe upon victims' civil rights under constitutional law. Instead of holding these drivers accountable for the loss of life, they receive only minor consequences, which fails to provide justice to the victims and their families.

Let’s Demand Better from Our Public Transit System

This isn't just about Deshon and Christen; it's about every New Jersey resident who risks their life by simply boarding a bus. We deserve a transit system that genuinely values the lives of its passengers. By raising our voices and calling for accountability, we can demand change, justice, and safety for all who rely on New Jersey’s transit system.

Let’s end this negligence before more lives are taken.