FREE NJ TRANSIT TRANS-HUDSON BUS/FERRY SERVICE FOR GLADSTONE BRANCH CUSTOMERS
November 15, 2012
NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT continues to adjust and refine its emergency trans-Hudson transportation plan to most efficiently match the available bus, rail and ferry resources with the needs of state citizens.
NJ TRANSIT will expand the free emergency shuttle bus/ferry service and shuttle bus to rail service to improve the Trans-Hudson commute for the agency’s Gladstone Branch customers along the Morris & Essex Lines.
Starting Monday, November 19, new bus shuttle-to-ferry service and bus shuttle-to-train service will operate from selected stations along the Gladstone Branch of the Morris & Essex Lines to provide an alternate travel option for customers impacted by the ongoing suspension of Gladstone Branch train service.
Also effective November 19, bus shuttle/ferry services from several locations will no longer operate due to the restoration of NJ TRANSIT rail service near those locations.
New Gladstone Branch Bus Shuttle/Ferry Option (to Lower Manhattan)
* Starting Monday, November 19, free shuttle bus service will operate weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. between Bernardsville, Basking Ridge, Lyons, Berkeley Heights and New Providence stations and Liberty State Park (LSP), where free ferry service is available between LSP and Battery Park (Lower Manhattan).
* Statue Cruise Lines ferry service to Battery Park will be offered free of charge.
* Free shuttle bus service will board customers from the following
locations on the Gladstone Branch:
* Bernardsville – in the parking lot at the station
* Basking Ridge – on North Finely Avenue at Ridge Street
* Lyons – on South Finely Avenue at Cross Road
* Berkley Heights – at the station building on Sherman Avenue
* New Providence – on Springfield Avenue at Old Springfield Avenue
* Standard parking rules and fees are in effect at all rail station parking lots.
New Gladstone Branch Bus Shuttle to Train Option (to Midtown Manhattan)
* Starting Monday, November 19, free shuttle bus service will operate to meet trains departing from Summit on weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. and returning to Summit for trains departing Penn Station New York from 4 p.m. to 8:02 p.m. between Gladstone, Peapack, Far Hills, Millington, Gillette, Murray Hill and Summit stations, where customers will be able to connect with Morris & Essex Lines train service to/from Summit. More detailed schedule information will be available on njtransit.com. on Friday, November 16th
* Free shuttle bus service will board customers from the following
locations on the Gladstone Branch:
* Gladstone – in the parking lot at the station
* Peapack – on Main Street at Holland Avenue
* Far Hills – at the station building in the parking lot
* Millington – on Division Avenue at River Road
* Gillette – on Mountain Avenue at the station parking lot entrance
* Murray Hill – on Floral Avenue at the station parking lot exit
* Summit – on the eastbound side of the station on Railroad Avenue at
Elm Street
* Standard parking rules and fees are in effect at all rail station parking lots.
Discontinued bus shuttle/ferry services effective Monday, November 19
Effective Monday, November 19, the following bus shuttle/ferry options WILL NOT operate due to reduced customer demand:
Morris & Essex Lines
* Discontinued: Free express shuttle bus service between Morristown Station and Weehawken Ferry Terminal.
* Discontinued: Free shuttle bus service between Maplewood Station and LSP.
Montclair-Boonton Line
* Discontinued: Free shuttle bus service between Bay Street, Glen Ridge and Bloomfield stations and Weehawken Ferry Terminal.
North Jersey Coast Line
* Discontinued: Free shuttle bus service between Aberdeen-Matawan Station and LSP.
Northeast Corridor
* Discontinued: Free shuttle bus service between Metropark Station and LSP.
Meadowlands, MetLife Stadium, Lot P (1 MetLife Stadium):
* Discontinued: Free shuttle bus service from Meadowlands MetLife Stadium to Weehawken/Port Imperial for free ferry service to Pier 79 at 39th Street in Midtown Manhattan ONLY from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for light rail/ ferry connections.
* Discontinued: Free shuttle bus service from Weehawken/Port Imperial to the Meadowlands MetLife Stadium from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Available bus shuttle/ferry service options as of November 19
The bus shuttle/ferry services will operate weekdays between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. (inbound) and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (outbound) except the Liberty State Park shuttle - please see below for specific time. Bus shuttles will operate on a load and go basis every 10 minutes.
Hoboken Terminal to Midtown Manhattan
· NJ TRANSIT has teamed up with BillyBey Ferry which operates ferry service from Hoboken under the NY Waterway umbrella, to offer new, discounted, round trip service from Hoboken Terminal to Pier 79 on West 39th Street in Midtown Manhattan.
· Customers using this service can also access free NY Waterway shuttle buses for further travel within Manhattan. Stops are offered along 57th Street, 49th Street, 42nd Street, and 34th Street, as well as through a special Downtown loop. Visit nywaterway.com for details.
· This ferry service does not normally operate between Hoboken Terminal and 39th Street in Manhattan. Customers wishing to access this new ferry service can purchase round-trip fare for $10. A special ticket booth at Hoboken Terminal has been established for customers starting on Monday.
Morris & Essex Lines
* Free shuttle bus service between Convent, Madison and Chatham stations and Liberty State Park (LSP). Free ferry service between LSP and Battery Park (Lower Manhattan).
* New Gladstone Branch services (see above).
* Standard parking rules and fees are in effect at all rail station parking lots.
Ramsey (Ramsey/Rt. 17 Station)
* Suburban Transit/Coach USA operating from Ramsey/Rt. 17 Station to Weehawken/Port Imperial for free ferry service to Pier 79 at 39th Street in Midtown Manhattan ONLY from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for light rail/ferry connections.
* Suburban Transit/Coach USA operating from Weehawken/Port Imperial to Ramsey/Rt. 17 Station from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Holmdel, Garden State Parkway Exit 116 (PNC Arts Center)
* Academy Bus operating from the PNC Arts Center from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. to:
* Port Authority Bus Terminal - Follow Signs to Parking
* Lower Manhattan - Follow Signs to Parking
Newark Penn Station - Follow Signs to Parking
* Academy Bus operating between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. from:
* Lower Manhattan
* Port Authority Bus Terminal – Lower level from Gates 51-56.
* Newark Penn Station – Greyhound Bus Stop
* Emergency bus service to Lower Manhattan has been coordinated following the approval of, and collaboration with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey as well as the New York City Department of Transportation. Pick-up and drop-off locations will take place at the following, designated Suburban Transportation bus stops:
* Greenwich Street between Battery Place & Morris Street
* Trinity Place between Rector & Thames Streets
* Church St. between Warren & Chambers Streets
* Church St. between Reade & Duane Streets
Jersey City (HBLR's Liberty State Park Station)
· Free shuttle bus service between Hudson Bergen Light Rail's Liberty State Park Station and Statue Cruise Lines Ferry Service to Battery Park from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., andfrom 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ferry service from this location will be offered free of charge.
· Hudson Waterfront customers can use the free bus shuttles from the Liberty State Park ferry site to the Liberty State Park Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) Station to continue to Jersey City, Hoboken and Weehawken on the HBLR. (NJ TRANSIT Rail and Bus November monthly passes will be cross-honored on the HBLR.)
Additional Customer Tips
* Customers utilizing NJ TRANSIT rail or regular NJ TRANSIT bus service are encouraged to consider traveling during off-peak periods to avoid crowds and potential delays.
* Delays, detours, crowding and other challenges can continue to be expected by customers during system restoration and recovery.
* For the latest travel information, customers should listen to broadcast traffic reports, visitnjtransit.com, or access NJ TRANSIT’s Twitter feed at @NJ_TRANSIT or Facebook page.
* Additionally, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system (www.njtransit.com/mytransit<http://www.njtransit.com/mytransit>), which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager.
* Automated service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555.
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 third largest transit system in the country with 164 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.