SERVICE ADVISORY: ENHANCED NJ TRANSIT, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO HELP MITIGATE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF PULASKI SKYWAY CLOSURES
April 11, 2014
NJT-14-026
NEWARK, NJ — With the northbound lanes of the Pulaski Skyway scheduled to close tomorrow in conjunction with a massive, two-year bridge deck replacement project, NJ TRANSIT is offering a reminder that public transportation remains an option to help mitigate the impact of lane closures, detours and increased traffic congestion.
“NJ TRANSIT, working with the Department of Transportation, has taken important, substantive steps designed to increase service and add capacity in anticipation of the Pulaski Skyway rehabilitation project,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Veronique (“Ronnie”) Hakim. “Last month, NJ TRANSIT added trains and additional rail cars to our train sets for the benefit of customers utilizing the Raritan Valley, North Jersey Coast and the Morris & Essex lines. We also launched the new 95 bus line, which provides a new link to Newark Penn Station for customers within the Route 22 corridor.”
The statewide transit agency has also launched a new section on njtransit.com which provides detailed information relating to available public transportation options. The page can be viewed by visiting: http://www.njtransit.com/var/var_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=JK1To
“While this massive public works project will create significant transportation challenges for our region, the availability of public transportation options offered by NJ TRANSIT and our mass transit partners will help keep our region on the move,” said Hakim.
“We look forward to welcoming new customers to our system, however we encourage them to plan ahead and bring plenty of patience with them on Monday morning. Be assured that NJ TRANSIT, working with our other partners – private bus operators and ferry service providers, we will continuously monitor service levels and ridership patterns, and make adjustments as necessary throughout this time,” she added.
Rail Service
NJ TRANSIT has added enhanced service along the Morris & Essex, Raritan Valley and North Jersey Coast lines to accommodate additional ridership during the Pulaski Skyway rehabilitation project.
Customers are advised to consider travelling outside of peak travel periods and to expect crowded trains while travelling. While some NJ TRANSIT train stations do have available parking, customers are strongly recommended to carpool or make arrangements to be dropped off at stations.
Service Enhancements on the Morris & Essex Line
NJ TRANSIT has added two train trips each morning and two train trips each evening to the Morris & Essex Lines between Summit and Hoboken Terminal, where riders may access local bus connections, NJ TRANSIT’s Hudson-Bergen Light Rail or PATH trains and ferry service to Manhattan. Two of the trains operate during the peak periods, while the other two operate just out of peak times.
Parking at stations along the Morris & Essex Lines can be extremely limited so it is strongly recommended that customers carpool or make arrangements to be dropped off at stations. Stations where parking may be available are: Morristown and Dover stations.
Service Enhancements on the Raritan Valley Line
NJ TRANSIT has added one additional car to each train running on the Raritan Valley Line trains operating to Newark Penn Station, where customers may access local bus connections and PATH train service, during the morning peak period (6 AM to 10 AM) and from Newark Penn Station during the evening (4 PM to 8 PM) peak.
Parking at stations along the Raritan Valley Line can be limited so it is strongly recommended that customers carpool or make arrangements to be dropped off at stations. Stations where parking may be available are: Raritan, Somerville, Bridgewater and Bound Brook stations.
Service Enhancements on the North Jersey Coast Line
NJ TRANSIT has added a train trip to the morning peak period schedule departing from Bay Head at 4:49 AM and arriving at Hoboken Terminal at 6:53 AM, where riders may access local bus connections, NJ TRANSIT’s Hudson-Bergen Light Rail or PATH trains and ferry service to Manhattan. An additional train has also been added to the evening peak period schedule, departing from Hoboken at 4:20 PM and continuing to Bay Head.
While parking is available at many stations along the North Jersey Coast Line, customers should review parking options at their local station. Stations where parking may be available are: South Amboy, Aberdeen-Matawan and Middletown stations.
Bus Service
New Express Bus Service on the Route 22 Corridor
NJ TRANSIT has initiated a new bus line, Route #95, that provides regular, peak hour service along the Route 22 Corridor between Watchung and Newark Penn Station, where customers may access local bus connections and PATH train service. The new bus line serves several intermediate communities via Mountain and Morris Avenues. The new bus line operates during peak hours.
Eastbound trips will depart from the Sears Park and Ride lot at the corner of Route 22 and Terrill Road between 5:30 AM and 9:00 AM; westbound return trips depart from Newark Penn Station between 3:30 PM and 7:00 PM.
Haynes Avenue Park & Ride
Suburban Transit, a private bus company, will provide express bus service from the Haynes Avenue Park & Ride near Newark Liberty International Airport. Located just west of Route 1&9 and south of I-78 in Newark, the Park & Ride boasts free parking for 650 cars, and $2 express bus fare to Grove Street and Exchange Place in Jersey City, where New York bound commuters can connect with PATH.
Eastbound service begins daily at 5:30 AM from International Way with service to Grove Street and Exchange Place running every 30 minutes, and every 15 minutes between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM, with the last departure at 9:00 AM. Westbound service from Exchange Place begins at 12:30 PM to Grove Street and International Way running every 30 minutes, with the last departure at 10:00 PM.
Light Rail
NJ TRANSIT’s Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) connects the communities of Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City and North Bergen.
Customers may access PATH train service at Exchange Place, Pavonia-Newport and Hoboken Terminal, where connections to NJ TRANSIT rail and ferry services to Manhattan are also available. Additional ferry service is available at Port Imperial (Weehawken).
Although there are park and ride facilities at the East 22nd Street, East 34th Street, West Side Avenue, Liberty State Park and Tonnelle Avenue stations, availability may be limited. Customers are strongly recommended to carpool or make arrangements to be dropped off at stations.
Additional Mass Transportation Options
PATH Train Service to Manhattan
For a system map and schedule information for PATH train service to Manhattan from Newark Penn Station, Exchange Place and Hoboken Terminal, please visit: http://www.panynj.gov/path/maps-schedules.html
Ferry Service to Manhattan
For information on ferry service from Hoboken Terminal and Port Imperial to Manhattan, please visit: www.nywaterway.com. For information on ferry service from Monmouth County to Manhattan, please visit: www.seastreak.com.
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 165 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.