NJ TRANSIT To Resume Limited Modified Service

NJ TRANSIT will operate on a modified schedule on Monday, August 29 as a result of residual impacts of Hurricane Irene. Crews are working around the clock today to assess storm damage and make necessary repairs. As NJ TRANSIT redeploys assets to restore service for tomorrow, customers are advised of a number of service adjustments that will help mitigate the stress on the system.

“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 NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James 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 storm has 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.”

NJ TRANSIT is advising customers of the following:

Rail Service: 

· Crews continue to assess the rail infrastructure and are about 85 percent complete.

· There are numerous downed trees across the rail system.

· Several rail stations are flooded.

· Rail service will be extremely limited. Customers are advised that they may have to seek alternate transportation on many lines because of significant storm damage.

· There will be NO service on the North Jersey Coast Line because of severe flooding and downed trees along the line.

· There will be NO service on the Gladstone Branch because of rail equipment stranded in Hoboken.

· There will be NO service to the Meadowlands Sports Complex tomorrow night for the Giants/Jets Game due 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 bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their bus pass on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station. Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line.

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.

“This afternoon our crews were out inspecting rail lines, equipment yards, buses and train sets, and making repairs or clean-ups where necessary so we can be up and running as fully as possible for tomorrow's work day,” said Weinstein. “Again, I want to thank our customers for their patience and cooperation, and also the men and women of every department of NJ TRANSIT.”

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.