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NJ TRANSIT NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT ANNOUNCES ITS 2002 SUMMER SERVICES CAMPAIGN

NEWARK, NJ, May 28, 2002 -- Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Jamie Fox today joined Senator Joseph F. Vitale, Assembly Transportation Committee Chairman John S. Wisniewski, South Amboy Mayor Jack O'Leary and NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George Warrington to announce a multi-phased safety improvement program at South Amboy Rail Station.

After discussions with Senator Vitale, Assemblyman Wisniewski and Mayor O'Leary earlier this month, Executive Director Warrington committed to implementing immediate and long-term safety measures at the station to ease their concern about the safety of the 1,200 customers who use the station daily, in addition to the local residents and visitors who walk around the station.

"Governor McGreevey is committed to fixing things first in the State following years and years of talk and no action. Constructing a new and more convenient pedestrian overpass has always been in the plans for South Amboy Station, but had no funding. Well, dedicated funding is in place, and a new walkway is right around the corner," said Fox.

"These improvements are necessary to ensure the safety and well being of South Amboy residents and commuters," said Senator Vitale. "The creation of a pedestrian walkway will make the crossing less dangerous and more convenient for both residents and commuters. As South Amboy continues to build their transportation hub, improvements like these will help to prevent tragedies in the future."

"I am gratified that NJ TRANSIT and the Department of Transportation have located the resources to fund this much needed and long awaited pedestrian safety project in the City of South Amboy," said Wisniewski, who is Chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee. "Commiss

NEWARK, NJ, May 28, 2002 -- Summer is right around the corner and NJ TRANSIT is ready to take customers to various hot spots and destinations throughout New Jersey.

Designed to link people to entertainment and sports venues throughout the region via the Corporation's rail, light rail and bus systems, NJ TRANSIT's 2002 Summer Fun Guide -- a pocket-sized booklet -- includes valuable discounts and packages to destinations such as Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor, the Jersey Shore, Monmouth Park and Meadowlands racetracks and Atlantic City.

"The summer season is of vital importance to our state's economy and mass transportation plays a key role in New Jersey's tourism, much of it to reach our beautiful beaches, entertainment and sports venues and Atlantic City," said New Jersey Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman James P. Fox. "The 2002 Summer Services campaign makes reaching the state's exciting recreational destinations easy and convenient for all of our customers."

"In the summer of 2001, NJ TRANSIT reported over 250,000 recreational trips taken on our rail, light rail and bus systems. We expect those numbers to increase thanks to our new Summer Fun Guide 2002 created for our customers' convenience," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George D. Warrington. "By providing reliable public transportation to various venues throughout New Jersey, NJ TRANSIT is contributing to an estimated $46 million to be spent at places like Great Adventure, the Jersey Shore, Liberty Science Center and Monmouth Park Racetrack."

Among the popular summertime destinations served by NJ TRANSIT featured in the guide are:

  • Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor.

  • "It's time to get back to basics and reinforce our commitment to safety. Today's announcement validates our pledge to our customers to do everything possible to ensure their safety while using our services," said Warrington.

    The multi-phased safety program includes:

    • Replacing existing pedestrian warning signs at the ends of the inter-track fence at Augusta Street with larger signs containing a message warning pedestrians not to cross the tracks when the gates are down because trains can arrive from both directions. (A total of four warning signs have been installed as promised.)
    • Installing a combined flashing and audible safety alert adjacent to the existing building located at the northwest quadrant of the Augusta Street crossing where pedestrian and vehicle sight distance is limited. The safety alert will be activated by a train traveling southbound well in advance of the train crossing Augusta Street. Taking into account the review process, procurement of materials and installation work, this work will be completed no later than September 30, 2002.
    • Immediately advancing NJ TRANSIT's 90 percent design plans for a new pedestrian crossing north of Augusta Street and awarding a construction contract this fall. Construction is anticipated to take 14 months and cost approximately $6.2 million. The project will also include two new elevators, stairs, a pedestrian plaza and high-level platforms.
    • NJ TRANSIT will build a new at-grade rail crossing approximately 1/2 mile south of Augusta Street at Stevens Avenue in South Amboy, as requestfy>The New Jersey State Aquarium.
  • Liberty Science Center.
  • American Ballet Theatre at Metropolitan Opera House.
  • John Harms Center for the Arts in Englewood.
  • Monmouth Park and Meadowlands racetracks.
  • MetroStars soccer games at Giants Stadium.
  • The Jersey Shore, including beach packages to beaches in Monmouth, Ocean and Atlantic counties.
  • Atlantic City and Philadelphia.

Customers heading to Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor can save up to 46 percent by riding NJ TRANSIT. In addition, the Corporation has added the No. 307 route from Freehold and the No. 309 route from Toms River, two local routes that provide service to the park with stops at Freehold Raceway Mall and the Jackson Outlet Village.

NJ TRANSIT kicked off its Great Adventure No. 308 and No. 318 bus service and admission discounts in late March when the park opened. The No. 308 departs from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and Newark Penn Station. NJ TRANSIT's No. 318 bus service operates to the park from Philadelphia and Camden.

Beginning Saturday, May 25, customers may purchase NJ TRANSIT beach packages at ticket vending machines or at ticket windows in Penn Station New York, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal. The beach packages include round-trip transportation and admission to beaches in Long Branch, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach, Belmar and Manasquan.

The cost for a beach package from Hoboken Terminal and Newark Penn Station is $13 and $16.50 from Penn Station New York. The packages will be sold for weekend admission from May 25 to June 16, and sold ed by Mayor O'Leary. Opening the new at-grade crossing will coincide with the completion of the new pedestrian overpass and the closing of the Augusta Street at-grade crossing, as well as completion of the City of South Amboy's roadwork that connects to the new at-grade crossing.

On May 6, a 32-year-old Brooklyn woman was killed after walking around lowered crossing gates to catch a New York--bound train when she was struck by a train traveling in the opposite direction. While all safety systems were working correctly at the crossing, NJ TRANSIT has agreed to implement the additional safety measures to help prevent future incidents.

In addition, NJ TRANSIT reminds people to be safe while walking and driving near the railroad and obey warning devices when activated.

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing Bus, rail and light rail services for 380,600 daily commuters on 238 bus routes, two light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 163 rail stations, 26 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

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daily from June 17 through September 2.

NJ TRANSIT makes it easy to reach the beach with express service on its North Jersey Coast Line from Penn Station New York (Saturdays and July 4 only), and from Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays).

In addition, NJ TRANSIT offers bus service to Seaside Heights and Seaside Park on the No. 67 express route from Newark Penn Station or Journal Square in Jersey City, and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York on the No. 137 bus. Passengers who want to visit Island Beach State Park can ride the No. 137 route from the Port Authority Bus Terminal on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Traveling to Cape May or neighboring Wildwood is as easy as hopping on NJ TRANSIT's No. 316 or No. 313/315 routes from Philadelphia's Greyhound Terminal, the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden or the Avandale Park-and-Ride. Customers travelling from New York's Port Authority Bus Terminal or Newark Penn Station and Jersey City's Journal Square, can take the No. 319 bus to Cape May and Wildwood.

NJ TRANSIT can also transport customers to "America's Favorite Playground", Atlantic City. The Corporation's Atlantic City Rail Line trains operate between 30th Street Station in Philadelphia and the Atlantic City Rail Terminal. NJ TRANSIT bus service to Atlantic City is available from Philadelphia's Greyhound Bus Terminal on the No. 551 bus route. From New York City and Newark, NJ TRANSIT's No. 319 bus operates to Atlantic City from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and Newark Penn Station. The No. 319 route also has limited service from Jersey City.

Other popular destinations served by NJ TRANSIT:

  • With increased service on NJ TRANSIT's Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, it is easier than ever to reach the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City. Bus, rail and light rail passengers can save $3 off admission to any exhibit or combination ticket when riders present their bus, light rail or rail ticket, pass or valid transportation receipt. In addition to the Science Center, passengers can also take the light rail system to Exchange Place or Newport Centre Mall.
  • Patrons of the John Harms Center for the Arts in Englewood will save $3 on admission tickets when they present their bus, rail or light rail ticket, ticket pass or transportation receipt at the box office. Customers can ride bus Nos. 166, 178, 756 or 780. Check the Summer Fun Guide for specific service dates and times.
  • Experience the romance and magic of the American Ballet Theater at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York and save 15 percent on ticket prices. NJ TRANSIT riders can connect at Penn Station New York to MTA New York City Subway 1 or 9 trains to the 66th Street-Lincoln Center Station. Customers should mention the "NJT" discount code when purchasing tickets.
  • Fans attending MetroStars home games at Giants Stadium will save $4 off admission when they present a receipt from their trip on NJ TRANSIT's No. 351 bus or Community Coach from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Riders must present their receipt at the box office.
  • NJ TRANSIT riders will receive a $2 discount on admission to the New Jersey State Aquarium in Camden when they present their NJ TRANSIT bus, rail or light rail ticket pass or transportation receipt at the ticket window. Service is provided to the aquarium on the Corporation's No. 452 route.
  • NJ TRANSIT will operate its annual Pony Express on the North Jersey Coast Line to Monmouth Park Racetrack on Saturdays, Sundays, Memorial Day and Independence Day. The Pony Express originates at Penn Station New York with stops in Newark, Elizabeth, Perth Amboy and South Amboy. The fare, which is $10.50 from Hoboken Terminal and Newark Penn Station and $14.75 from Penn Station New York, includes grandstand admission.
  • Horse racing fans can also save on admission at the Meadowlands Racetrack. Bus riders to the Meadowlands can present their bus receipt at the grandstand pass gate for free admission to the racetrack. From New York's Port Authority Bus Terminal, riders can take the Nos. 351, 164 or Commuter Coach routes. From Paterson, Passaic or Clifton, riders can board a No. 703 route.

For more information, customers can visit the special promotions page at www.njtransit.com or call 1-800-626-RIDE for a free Summer Fun Guide.

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system, providing bus, rail and light rail services for 380,600 daily commuters on 238 bus routes, two light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 163 rail stations, 26 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

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