NJ Transit Goes All-In on Lavender. Riders Say They Want Trains That Run on Time.

NJ Transit has a new official scent: lavender. Riders have some thoughts.

CEO Kris Kolluri announced Tuesday that lavender has been designated the official scent for NJ Transit's cleaning products, part of a "Rapid Action Plan" unveiled alongside Governor Mikie Sherrill to upgrade the agency's stations and trains.

"I hope people smell lavender. I've been obsessed by the lavender cleaning products for about a year now," Kolluri told the crowd, pointing out that crews already use the cleaners overnight at Newark Penn Station. Sherrill said she wants the program expanded to other stations.

Long-suffering commuters were less enthusiastic.

"Can we get trains that run on time before we get aromatherapy transit?" said Ronald D., 40, a regular rider.

"Nothing says efficient public transit like Newark Penn smelling like a Bath and Body Works," said another rider. "Next, they'll have eucalyptus mist during rush hour."

The lavender scent is one piece of a larger "Rapid Action Plan" that also includes a redesigned NJ Transit app, GPS-powered software to track trains in real time, a "Real Time Crime Center," expanded wi-fi on buses, and additional cleaning initiatives.

Critics aren't convinced the cosmetic fixes address the underlying problems. "I don't think it's really going to change anything," said one rider. "It seems like a patchwork to underline problems that may exist and be more structural and related to financing."

He did add one caveat: "I love lavender and vanilla together, so go for it."

Not everyone was annoyed. "I like lavender. I like this smell," said Svetlana, who declined to give her last name. "All of the trains are usually very clean and smell nice."