EXTRA RAIL AND BUS SERVICE SET FOR THANKSGIVING TRAVELERS

Kids ride free on NJ TRANSIT all holiday weekend

November 20, 2012
NJT-12-106

NEWARK, NJ — As NJ TRANSIT continues its storm-recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the agency is gearing up to offer nearly normal Thanksgiving service levels on most of its lines to ensure customers’ travel plans go smoothly over the holiday weekend. 

NJ TRANSIT is reminding customers that rail service may be subject to delays and cancellations as a result of ongoing storm recovery efforts.  Due to residual storm impacts, Gladstone Branch rail service remains suspended until further notice, and Newark Light Rail will continue to operate on a modified schedule between Newark Penn and Broad Street stations (service every half hour).  In addition, North Jersey Coast Line service will experience delays of up to 15 minutes between Long Branch and Woodbridge stations over the holiday weekend.  Most inbound (to Newark/New York) North Jersey Coast Line trains will depart stations five minutes earlier between Long Branch and Woodbridge.

To assist customers with their travels, NJ TRANSIT customer service representatives and volunteers will be deployed at major facilities to assist customers throughout the holiday period, and extra rail and bus service is ready to roll to match Thanksgiving travel patterns.

This year, NJ TRANSIT will once again offer “early getaway” rail and bus service on Wednesday, November 21, for the benefit of customers leaving work early, and to provide additional capacity for customers traveling to Newark Liberty International Airport.  The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is typically the airport rail station’s busiest day of the year, with ridership levels about twice that of a typical weekday.  In addition, some emergency shuttle bus/ferry service will begin operating in the early afternoon to provide special early getaway trips.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, NJ TRANSIT will add extra trains and buses to the schedule in the morning and midday hours to accommodate customers traveling to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

Then on Friday, November 23, traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year, enhanced bus service will be offered to shopping centers throughout New Jersey and additional trains will operate to and from New York.

For complete schedule and fare information, customers may visit njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.

HOLIDAY SERVICE AT A GLANCE

On Wednesday, November 21, trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule on all lines (except Gladstone Branch, which remains suspended until further notice).  Visit njtransit.com for detailed special schedules, which will be available by Wednesday morning.  Additional “early getaway” service will operate from New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal starting at 1 p.m. on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast (to Long Branch only), Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex (from New York only), Pascack Valley (modified getaway service) and Port Jervis lines.  

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River Line will operate on a weekday schedule.  Newark Light Rail continues to operate on a modified schedule due to residual impacts from Hurricane Sandy. 

Bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com for schedule information.  Selected routes will operate on special holiday schedules to match service with ridership demand, including early getaway service from the Port Authority Bus Terminal between noon and 4 p.m. to accommodate the heaviest travel, with less frequent service during the peak periods and later in the evening due to lower ridership.  Special holiday timetables are available on njtransit.com.

Emergency trans-Hudson shuttle bus/ferry service 

On Wednesday, November 21, the following emergency shuttle bus/ferry service routes will provide early getaway service:

• To PNC Arts Center (Holmdel, Garden State Parkway Exit 116):  Early getaway service from Port Authority Bus Terminal and Newark Penn Station will start at 1:30 p.m.  Service will operate on a load and go basis until 8 p.m.
• To Ramsey/Rt. 17 Station (Ramsey):  Shuttle bus service from Port Imperial Ferry Terminal in Weehawken will start at 12 p.m. and operate every 30 minutes until 8 p.m.
• To Hoboken Terminal:  Ferry service from Pier 79 (West 39^th St. in Midtown Manhattan) will operate from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. Service from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. will operate every 30 minutes to accommodate the busiest travel period.
• To Liberty State Park:  Ferry service from Battery Park (Lower Manhattan) will operate every 10 minutes from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., every 20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and every 10 minutes from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• To Summit Station:  Shuttle bus service from Liberty State Park to Summit will start at 12 p.m. and operate every 30 minutes until 8 p.m.
• To Gladstone Branch stations:  Shuttle bus service from Summit Station to Gladstone, Peapack, Far Hills, Millington, Gillette, Murray Hill, Bernardsville, Basking Ridge, Lyons, Berkeley Heights and New Providence stations will start at 12 p.m. and operate every 30 minutes until 8 p.m.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule (except Gladstone Branch, which remains suspended until further notice).  Visit njtransit.com for detailed schedules.  To accommodate customers traveling to and from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, NJ TRANSIT will add extra trains on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast (between Long Branch and New York only), Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex and Port Jervis lines. 

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule—however, direct service between Tonnelle Avenue and Hoboken will operate every 20 minutes.  River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule.  Newark Light Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule between Newark Penn and Grove Street stations, and on a modified schedule between Newark Penn and Broad Street stations (service every half hour). 

Holiday bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to visit njtransit.com for details.  Selected bus routes will operate extra service to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal for customers traveling to the parade.  Special service on the No. 111 bus route from New York to the Jersey Gardens Mall, as well as on the No. 70 and No. 73 bus routes to Livingston Mall, will begin operating before midnight on Thanksgiving night. 

On Friday, November 23, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule on all rail lines (except Gladstone Branch, which remains suspended until further notice).  Visit njtransit.com for detailed special schedules, which will be available by Wednesday morning.  Additional New York-bound trains will operate between 10 a.m. and noon on the Northeast Corridor.  On the Morris & Essex Lines, one additional midday train to New York will operate.  Customers are encouraged to travel early, if possible, when ridership is light.  Select morning peak period trains on the Northeast Corridor will not operate on Friday, due to expected light ridership. 

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule—however, direct service between Tonnelle Avenue and Hoboken will operate every 20 minutes.  River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule.  Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule between Newark Penn and Grove Street stations, and on a modified schedule between Newark Penn and Broad Street stations (service every half hour). 

Bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com for schedule information.  Selected routes will operate on special holiday schedules to match service with ridership demand, with less frequent service during the peak periods due to lower ridership.  Special holiday timetables are available on njtransit.com.

Extra bus service to New Jersey malls

Starting Friday, November 23 and continuing through December 24, NJ TRANSIT will offer additional bus service to major New Jersey shopping destinations to accommodate extended store hours and busy shopping times throughout the day.  Throughout the holiday shopping season, extra trips or expanded service will be offered on several bus routes serving malls and shopping centers throughout the state, including Garden State Plaza, IKEA Paramus, Jersey Gardens, Livingston Mall, Harmon Meadow/Mill Creek in Secaucus, Willowbrook Mall, Wayne Towne Center Mall and West Belt Mall.  Note:  Special service on the No. 111 bus route from New York to the Jersey Gardens Mall, as well as on the No. 70 and No. 73 bus routes to Livingston Mall, will begin operating before midnight on Thanksgiving night.

Kids ride free on NJT

For the Thanksgiving holiday, NJ TRANSIT’s Family Super Saver Fare, which allows up to two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying adult, will be in effect from 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 21 until 6 a.m. Monday, November 26.  

Travel tips

• Check Schedules in Advance:  Additional service will be provided on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Plan your trip online to take advantage of extra trains and buses. 
• Travel Early on Friday, November 23:  On Friday, NJ TRANSIT rail lines will operate on a modified weekday schedule with additional trains during the late morning hours.  Avoid the crowds by traveling during the traditional peak-period (6-9 a.m.) when ridership is light.  
• Allow Extra Travel Time:  Traffic congestion during the holidays may affect bus travel times to and from New York City, so customers should plan accordingly.
• Ticketing:  Purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip to speed your return.  Use 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, customers with large 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 895,000 weekday trips on 261 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the second largest transit system in the country with 164 rail stations, 61 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.