'EARLY GETAWAY' SERVICE SET FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND
Allow Extra Travel Time Due to Crowds
For Immediate Release: July 1, 2016
NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT will offer “early getaway’’ rail, light rail and bus service on Friday, July 1, for the benefit of customers leaving work early for the Independence Day holiday weekend. In addition, there are changes to service throughout the NJ TRANSIT system that will take place on Monday, July 4th.
A reminder that open containers of alcohol are not permitted on NJ TRANSIT systemwide. Extra police patrols will be out during the holiday weekend on all modes of transit.
Customers planning to use Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) service to and from Liberty State Park for the July 4th Jersey City ‘’Freedom & Fireworks Festival’’ from noon to 10 p.m. will encounter crowded conditions and possible delays due to the operating capacity of the HBLR system. Customers are strongly advised to purchase roundtrip tickets.
To help speed the getaway, customers are reminded that they can enjoy the convenience of purchasing tickets through the MyTix feature on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app.
On Friday, July 1:
- Extra outbound trains will operate on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex, and Port Jervis lines starting at approximately 1 p.m. Please visit www.njtransit.com for details.
- Extra buses will operate from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and from the Hudson River Waterfront on several bus routes starting around noon. If you do not see your bus route listed here, http://www.njtransit.com/sa/sa_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=ServiceAdjustmentTo&AdjustmentId=14279, please refer to your bus route timetable, which can be found at www.njtransit.com.
- All light rail systems will operate on regular weekday schedules.
On Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3:
- All light rail systems will operate on regular Saturday/Sunday or Weekend schedules.
- Trains will operate on a regular weekend schedule. Summer Shore service has begun, with direct service between Bay Head and New York and hourly Bay Head-Long Branch shuttle service from approximately 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays until September 10.
- Please check your bus route timetable at www.njtransit.com for details.
On Independence Day, Monday, July 4:
- Trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all lines.
- Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on an enhanced weekend schedule.
- Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule.
- River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule.
- Bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables or visit www.njtransit.com for schedule information. Many routes serving shopping malls will operate on weekend/holiday schedules. Please allow for extra time and consult timetable for details. NOTE: Buses may be subject to detours and service delays for Independence Day parades through various towns.
- For customers attending the Liberty State Park fireworks on Monday, July 4: Attendees planning to use the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) service to and from Liberty State Park for the July 4th “Jersey City Freedom & Fireworks Festival’’ from noon to 10 p.m. will encounter crowded conditions and delays due to the operating capacity of the HBLR system. Please build enough time into travel plans or consider leaving the park before the end of the fireworks.
Summer Savings
This long weekend is a great time for customers to take advantage of NJ TRANSIT’s discounted travel packages to destinations including the Jersey Shore, Six Flags, Monmouth Park and Liberty Science Center:
- Beach Packages: Save up to $5.00 on admission to one of five beaches— Long Branch, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach and Belmar—by purchasing round-trip train fare and a discounted beach pass for one price at
NJ TRANSIT ticket vending machines (choose “Beach/Monmouth Park Packages” and select “Beach Package”) or at ticket windows. Customers can purchase the package at all NJ TRANSIT rail stations, excluding stations on the Atlantic City Rail Line. Beach Packages are valid throughout the weekend and on holidays. Beach Packages are on sale now and continuously through Labor Day, Monday, September 5.
- Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari or Hurricane Harbor: Save up to $30 by purchasing round-trip bus transportation and park admission together.
NJ TRANSIT provides express bus service to Six Flags from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York and Newark Penn Station.
- Monmouth Park: Board a train anywhere on NJ TRANSIT's rail system, excluding Atlantic City Rail Line stations, and save $5.50 when you travel to Monmouth Park Racetrack. Simply purchase a package to Monmouth Park from NJ TRANSIT ticket vending machines (choose “Beach/Monmouth Park Packages” and select “Monmouth Park”) or at ticket windows, and receive round-trip transportation, Grandstand Admission and an official track program for $3.50 plus the regular cost of a round-trip rail ticket.
- Liberty Science Center: Save $5 per person for up to four general admission, combo ticket and/or all-access passes when you travel on NJ TRANSIT and show your ticket, pass or fare receipt at Liberty Science Center. General admission passes include live science demonstrations, hands-on labs, and a variety of daily activities. Combo and all-access passes provide options for films and premium exhibits.
Visit njtransit.com for more information on NJ TRANSIT summer travel deals.
On weekends, kids ride free on NJ TRANSIT
Every weekend, families riding NJ TRANSIT can save with the Family SuperSaver Fare, which allows two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying adult. For the Independence Day holiday weekend, the program will be extended and in effect from 7 p.m. Friday, July 1 until 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 5.
Travel tips
- Check Schedules in Advance: Plan your trip online to take advantage of extra trains and buses.
- Allow Extra Travel Time: Traffic congestion during the long holiday weekend may affect bus travel times especially on routes using the Garden State Parkway heading down the shore, so customers should plan accordingly.
- Ticketing: Purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip to speed your return. Use the MyTix feature on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app, ticket vending machines or see a ticket agent, if available, to avoid possible surcharges. Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal are reminded that tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus.
- Luggage: Travel as light as possible. Passengers with luggage or packages should use the overhead racks or designated luggage spaces. On multilevel trains, those with bags should use the mezzanine levels at the ends of each car.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 938,500 weekday trips on 257 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.