What to do in the event of a NJ Transit strike
By Erika Norton
Newark — In the event of a NJ Transit strike, which may occur as early as March 13, no trains will run on any of NJ Transit's commuter rail lines, affecting approximately 160,000 customers who ride the system on a typical weekday.
To combat a strike scenario, NJ Transit, along with Metro-North, has released a contingency plan to try and help rail commuters find alternative transportation.
“If a rail stoppage occurs, NJ Transit customers as well as people who normally drive to work should understand that this will not be a normal commute for anyone — particularly with the potential for more than 10,000 additional cars on the road per peak hour,” NJ Transit Interim Executive Director Dennis Martin said in a statement. “As part of our contingency planning, we have reached out to a broad range of employers and business organizations in New Jersey and New York to alert them to the potential stoppage, and we have strongly encouraged them to allow their employees to telecommute if possible.”
In the event of a strike, no rail service will be provided on the Northeast Corridor (including the Princeton Branch/Dinky), North Jersey Coast, Morris and Essex (including Gladstone), Main/Bergen County, Montclair-Boonton, Raritan Valley, Pascack Valley, Atlantic City, and Port Jervis lines.
MetLife Stadium to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York
PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel to New York City (Academy)
Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station PATH
Metropark Rail Station to Harrison PATH Station
Ramsey/Route 17 Rail Station to Lincoln Harbor Ferry, Weehawken
No midday, evening, weekend or reverse commute service will operate on these park-ride routes.
NJ Transit will also enhance peak period service on 29 existing New York bus routes in close proximity to rail stations. The routes are as follows:
Northeast Corridor: 108, 112, 115 and 129 bus routesNorth Jersey Coast Line: 116 and 133/135 bus routes
Raritan Valley Line: 113 and 114X bus routes
Morris & Essex Lines: 107X and 114X bus routes
Montclair-Boonton Lines: 191X and 324 bus routes
Main/Bergen County Lines: 145, 160L, 160T, 160P, 163P, 164SX, 190P/D, 190R, 190X, 192X
Pascack Valley Line: 151, 162, 163L, 165P, 165R, 165T
To accommodate Atlantic City Rail Line customers, NJ Transit will also enhance service on the 554 bus route, which operates between Atlantic City and Lindenwold. However, PATCO will only cross-honor Atlantic City Rail Line tickets and passes to and from Philadelphia.
The 156R, 158 and 159R bus routes serving the River Road corridor will terminate at the Port Imperial Ferry Terminal in Weehawken on weekdays, for cross honoring with connecting NY Waterway ferry service. Weekend service will operate on its regular route to and from New York.
The 126 bus route in Hoboken will operate on a reverse routing on weekday mornings, beginning at Willow Avenue and 19th Street and operating south to Hoboken Terminal, for cross honoring with PATH and ferry service. In the evening, the bus route will operate from Hoboken Terminal back to Willow Avenue and 19th Street. Weekend service will operate on its regular route to and from New York.
Light Rail: Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River Line service will operate regular weekday schedules with extended peak hour service.
Access Link: Access Link service will operate normally, however customers should anticipate longer travel times as a result of anticipated increases in traffic and additional passengers in vehicles.
Customers who do not already have a ticket or pass may purchase round-trip tickets to and from New York during morning hours on site from the park-ride locations. Round-trip tickets for regional park-ride service will also be available via MyTix, NJ Transit’s mobile ticketing app.
NJ Transit rail tickets and passes will be cross-honored on all NJ Transit bus and light rail lines, as well as on private carrier buses and PATH trains. Passes also will be cross-honored on all NY Waterway service including Weehawken, Hoboken and North Hoboken, as well as Seastreak services into Manhattan and PATCO service to and from Philadelphia at 8th and the Market Street Station.
Customers can also access NJ Transit’s Twitter feed at @NJTRANSIT or listen to broadcast traffic reports.
Additionally, NJ Transit will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system (www.njtransit.com/mytransit), which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your smartphone.
Service information is also available; call (973) 275-5555.