NJ TRANSIT OFFERS EXTRA SERVICE AND SAVINGS FOR HOLIDAY WEEK

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

December 21, 2011
NJT-11-093

NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT today announced additional holiday service along with a special extension of the Family Super Saver Fare, allowing up to two children ages 5 through 11 to travel free with each customer paying/presenting any valid fare. 

Usually limited to weekends, the Family Super Saver Fare will be in effect continuously from 7 p.m. Friday, December 23 through 6 a.m. Tuesday, January 3, on all trains, buses and light rail lines.  This extension is offered in addition to NJ TRANSIT’s policy which allows up to three children who are 4 years old and under to travel free of charge at all times with each passenger paying/presenting any valid fare

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 Friday, 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 Saturday, December 24, trains will operate on a weekend schedule.  In addition, service on the Meadowlands Rail Line will operate for the Jets/Giants game.  Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule.  River Line will operate on a Saturday schedule.  Buses will operate on a regular Saturday schedule on all lines. 

On Christmas Day, December 25, trains will operate on a weekend schedule.  Newark Light Rail and River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule.  Buses will operate on a regular Sunday schedule on all lines. 

CHRISTMAS SERVICE AT A GLANCE

On Monday, December 26, trains will operate on an enhanced weekend schedule, with additional trains to and from New York/Hoboken during “peak periods” on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, Raritan Valley Line, Morris & Essex Lines, Montclair-Boonton Line and Port Jervis lines.  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 Tuesday, December 27 through Thursday, December 29, 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.

On Friday, 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.  Bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables.  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. 

NEW YEAR’S SERVICE AT A GLANCE

On Saturday, December 31, trains will operate on a weekend schedule, with additional New York-bound trips in the evening on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast and Morris & Essex lines.  Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule.  River Line will operate on a Saturday schedule.  Buses will operate on a regular Saturday schedule on all lines, with additional service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal offered into the evening on select lines.  Visit njtransit.com for additional details.     

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. 

Throughout the New Year’s Eve festivities, extra police will be on hand across the NJ TRANSIT system to ensure the safety of customers.

After midnight New Year’s Day, Sunday, 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.  In addition, service on the Meadowlands Rail Line is scheduled to operate for the Giants/Cowboys game.  Newark Light Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule.  River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule.  Buses will operate on a regular Sunday schedule.

On Monday, January 2, trains will operate on an enhanced weekend schedule, with additional trains to and from New York/Hoboken during “peak periods” on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, Raritan Valley Line, Morris & Essex Lines, Montclair-Boonton Line and Port Jervis lines.  Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule.  River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail 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. 

Travel tips

• Check Schedules in Advance:  Plan your trip online to take advantage of extra trains and buses. 
• Travel Early:  From December 27 through 30, 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 260 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 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.