Audit addresses woes of beleaguered NJ Transit

METUCHEN, N.J. (AP) -- An audit of New Jersey's troubled state mass transportation system describes it as plagued by top-heavy management, low morale, a lack of funding and little or no strategic planning.

Gov. Phil Murphy unveiled the 179-page New Jersey Transit report on Tuesday.

The Democrat made reforming NJ Transit one of his major priorities when he took office in January, calling the once-admired organization "a national disgrace."

The audit recommends restructuring management and operating NJ Transit more like a business and less like a government agency. It also urges creating an office of strategic planning and an office dedicated to enhancing the value of NJ Transit's more than $5 billion in assets.

NJ Transit has been criticized for a spate of recent train cancellations due to long-delayed, federally required safety work.