NJ TRANSIT OFFERS EXTRA SERVICE AND SAVINGS FOR BUSY HOLIDAY WEEK

Money-saving Family Super Saver fares in effect continuously from December 23 until January 3

December 21, 2010
NJT-10-094

NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT today announced a special extension of the Family Super Saver Fare, which allows up to two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying adult.  Usually limited to weekends, the Family Super Saver Fare will be in effect continuously from 7 p.m. Thursday, December 23 through 6 a.m. Monday, January 3, on all trains, buses and light rail lines. 

NJ TRANSIT will offer extra service for the upcoming holidays to give customers more travel options, whether going to the mall for last-minute shopping, leaving work early for the Christmas and New Year’s weekends, or attending New Year’s Eve festivities.

On Thursday, December 23, trains will operate on a weekday schedule on all lines with additional “early getaway” service from New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal starting at 1 p.m. on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines.  Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River Line will operate on a weekday schedule.  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 starting around 1 p.m. to accommodate the heaviest travel, with less frequent service during the peak periods and later in the evening due to lower ridership.  Visit njtransit.com for special holiday timetables.   

On Friday, December 24, trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule (Saturday schedule on the Raritan Valley Line), with extra trains to and from New York and Hoboken on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Morris & Essex, Raritan Valley, Montclair-Boonton and Port Jervis lines during morning and afternoon peak hours.  Newark Light Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule; Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River Line will operate on a weekday schedule.  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 starting around 1 p.m. to accommodate the heaviest travel, with less frequent service during the peak periods and later in the evening due to lower ridership.  Visit njtransit.com for special holiday timetables.     

CHRISTMAS SERVICE AT A GLANCE

On Christmas Day, December 25, trains will operate on a weekend schedule (Saturday schedule on the Raritan Valley Line).  Newark Light Rail and River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule; Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule.  Bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com for schedule information. 

From Monday, December 27 through Thursday, December 30, trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule on all rail lines with additional New York-bound trains between 10 a.m. and noon on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast and Morris & Essex lines.  Customers are encouraged to travel early, if possible, when ridership is light.  Some early-morning trains will not operate, due to expected light ridership—customers should visit njtransit.com and use the “Station-to-Station Trip Planner” to find trains between the holidays.  Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River Line will operate on a weekday schedule.  Buses will operate on a weekday schedule, with extra bus service to and from New York on selected routes.

NEW YEAR’S SERVICE AT A GLANCE

On Friday, December 31, trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule on all rail lines with additional New York-bound trains between 10 a.m. and noon on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast and Morris & Essex lines.  Customers are encouraged to travel early, if possible, when ridership is light.  Some early-morning trains will not operate on Friday, due to expected light ridership—customers should visit njtransit.com and use the “Station-to-Station Trip Planner” to find trains on Friday.  Newark Light Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule; Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River Line will operate on a weekday schedule.  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 starting around 1 p.m. to accommodate the heaviest travel, with less frequent service during the peak periods and later in the evening due to lower ridership.  Also, selected Essex County bus lines (Nos. 13, 21 and 25) will operate later evening service which will extend past midnight into New Year's Day.  Visit njtransit.com for special holiday timetables.     

In addition, River Line will operate extended late-night service on New Year’s Eve and after midnight on New Year’s Day to accommodate customers attending the festivities on the Camden Waterfront.  Special late-night trains will operate between Trenton and Camden, making all local stops.  Visit njtransit.com for details.

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will also operate some added late-night service on New Year’s Eve into New Year’s Day to accommodate travelers returning home from midnight celebrations. 

After midnight New Year’s Day, Saturday, January 1, special late-night trains will operate on most rail lines, and expanded bus service will be provided from the Port Authority Bus Terminal between midnight and 5:30 a.m. on selected routes.  Visit njtransit.com for details.

On New Year’s Day, January 1, trains will operate on a weekend schedule (Saturday schedule on Raritan Valley Line).  Newark Light Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule. River Line will operate on a Saturday schedule.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule.  Bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com for schedule information. 

Travel tips

• Check Schedules in Advance:  Plan your trip online to take advantage of extra trains and buses. 
• Travel Early:  From December 27 through 31, NJ TRANSIT rail lines will operate on a modified weekday schedule.  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 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.