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NJ TRANSIT NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT TO RESUME MODIFIED BUS AND RAIL SERVICE MONDAY

Rail service to remain suspended until further notice

August 28. 2011

 


 

NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT rail service will remain suspended until further notice as a result of residual impacts of Hurricane Irene, except for the Atlantic City Rail Line.  NJ TRANSIT will operate bus and light rail service on a modified schedule on Monday, August 29.  Crews are working around the clock today to assess storm damage and make necessary repairs.  As NJ TRANSIT redeploys assets in an effort to restore service, customers are advised of a number of service adjustments that will help mitigate the stress on the system.

 

"We only cancel service when we absolutely have to -- and Irene has forced us to do so on most of our rail lines," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein. "Our crews will work around the clock to clear trees, restore power and repair flood damage. We will get the trains running again as soon as we can."

 

NJ TRANSIT is advising customers of the following:

 

Rail Service:

  • Crews continue to assess the rail infrastructure and are nearly complete.
    • There are numerous downed trees across the rail system.
    • Several rail stations are flooded.
  • Rail service will be suspended until further notice, except for the Atlantic City Rail Line, which will operate.
  • Rail customers (except ACRL) are advised to seek alternate transportation because of significant storm damage.
  • There will be NO service to the Meadowlands Sports Complex tomorrow night for the Giants/Jets Game due to expected limited equipment and crew members.  Coach USA will supplement its bus service from Port Authority Bus Terminal.

 

Bus Service:

  • Bus service is expected to operate a modified weekday schedule tomorrow, with fewer trips operating during peak periods on some routes.
  • Some routes may be subject to delays, detours or cancellations due to local flooding.
  • Bus service to/from Willowbrook Mall and Mothers Park/Ride may be suspended due to flooding.

 

Light Rail Service:

  • Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River Line will operate on a weekend schedule. River Line customers may be subject to delays between the Walter Rand Transportation Center and the Entertainment Center due to flooding.
  • Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule.

 

Access Link:

  • Access Link Paratransit Service will begin operating at 1 p.m. on Monday.

 

Systemwide Cross-Honoring in Effect:

To give customers additional travel options, NJ TRANSIT will offer systemwide cross-honoring, enabling customers to use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode – rail, bus or light rail.  For example, customers who normally take the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station may use their rail pass on the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.  Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line.  In addition, PATH trains and private carrier buses will cross honor NJ TRANSIT tickets and passes.

 

Important Travel Information:

  • Before starting your trip, visit njtransit.com for up-to-the-minute service information. This information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.
  • Allow plenty of extra time travel time.  Delays and service changes are possible.
  • Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.

 

“The transportation system throughout the state has been severely stressed. Our goal is to resume service as quickly and safely as possible, however, customers should not expect a normal weekday tomorrow for transit services as crews continue to assess damage around the state — particularly on the railroad,” said Weinstein. “Most importantly, thanks to Governor Christie’s call to suspend service before Irene reached New Jersey, we were able to ensure the safety of customers and employees. We also were able to move locomotives, train cars, buses and other equipment to places where they could be protected as much as possible from the elements, and thus be ready to serve our customers again quickly and efficiently once the effects of the storm have fully passed.  And, the suspension allowed us to divert numerous buses and vans to Atlantic County and other areas where these vehicles provided crucial evacuation services.”

 

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 164 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.