State Announces Emergency Bus Service For Monday Commute

The following is a press release from the office of Gov. Christie:

Trenton, NJ – Coming on the heels of NJ TRANSIT’s restoration of rail and bus service to New York and utilizing federal and regional transportation resources to ease traffic congestion, improve trans-Hudson access and further help New Jersey residents navigate around the state, the Christie Administration today announced an emergency bus plan designed to transport New Jersey residents back to their jobs starting Monday morning.  

The emergency bus service will provide transportation options for NJ TRANSIT customers, with access to ferries, light rail and employment in Hoboken, Weehawken, Jersey City and Manhattan. This temporary emergency service is anticipated to provide approximately 50% of NJ TRANSIT’s normal rail rush hour service.

While NJ TRANSIT system restoration progress continues, NJ TRANSIT is still several weeks away from full service restoration.  Emergency conditions still exist across the NJ TRANSIT system and will continue for some time for regular commuters.  For instance, NJ TRANSIT normally operates 63 trains into New York Penn Station during the morning peak. Tomorrow, NJ TRANSIT will only be able to operate 13 trains into New York during the peak – pending critically needed repairs to be completed by Amtrak.  Customers are advised to start their commute outside of the 6:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. peak period to avoid overcrowding.

“The emergency bus plan utilizes federal, regional and statewide resources to help the Garden State return to work,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman James Simpson. “Led by Governor Christie and incorporating assets made available by the federal government, regional transportation partners and our statewide transit system, the resulting collaborative approach has resulted in a plan which will help New Jersey residents return to work on Monday.”

Utilizing the regional transportation network with a base of operations out of park-and-ride locations in central and northern sections of New Jersey, emergency buses will transport customers to light rail and ferry services in Hoboken, Weehawken, and HBLR’s Liberty State Park Station as well as providing limited, direct service to several boarding locations in lower Manhattan.  The busing plan will remain in effect until further notice and operate on weekdays during the peak travel periods of 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.  In addition, free ferry service will be available from Liberty State Park Marina to Battery Park.  

The resumption of limited Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service between Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen and Hoboken Terminal in Hoboken in 20 minute intervals starting at 6 a.m. The launch of emergency service continues the statewide agency’s service restoration efforts following the significant damage incurred by Hurricane Sandy earlier this week. NJ TRANSIT will also be operating a shuttle service from Hoboken Terminal south to Marin Blvd in Jersey City to further offer additional access for customers seeking to return to work.

Emergency bus service to Lower Manhattan has been coordinated following the approval of, and collaboration with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey as well as the New York City Department of Transportation. Pick-up and drop off locations will take place at the following, designated Suburban Transportation bus stops: 

• Greenwich Street between Battery Place & Morris Street.
• Trinity Place between Rector & Thames Streets
• Church St. between Warren & Chambers Streets
• Church St. between Reade & Duane Streets

“While the hard working men and women of NJ TRANSIT have made substantial progress, the full restoration of service is still several weeks away,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein.  “Our rail infrastructure is still heavily damaged and our rail capacity into New York Penn Station can only transport a fraction of our weekday customers.  These are extraordinary times, the busing plan announced today will help bring our customers back to work – and just a little bit closer to resuming their everyday lives.”

Customers utilizing the emergency bus service plan can ride the buses at no cost.  Customers utilizing ferry and light rail services will still be responsible for paying normal light rail and ferry fares. 

Buses will operate to and from the following limited-capacity transportation hubs:

A. Hoboken Service

Bridgewater (Patriots Stadium)

• NJ TRANSIT to operate 15 buses from Patriots Stadium to Hoboken Terminal from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for light rail/ferry connections.
• NJ TRANSIT to operate 15 buses from Hoboken Terminal to Patriots Stadium from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Woodbridge (Woodbridge Center Mall)

• Academy Bus to operate 20 buses from Woodbridge Center Mall to Hoboken Terminal from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for light rail/ferry connections.
• Academy Bus to operate 20 buses from Hoboken Ferry Terminal to Woodbridge Center Mall from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Wayne (Willowbrook Mall Annex)

• NJ TRANSIT to operate 16 buses from Willowbrook Mall to Weehawken/Port Imperial from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for light rail/ferry connections.
• NJ TRANSIT to operate 16 buses from Weehawken/Port Imperial to Willowbrook Mall from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Ramsey (Ramsey/Rt 17 Station Park and Ride)

• Suburban Transit/Coach USA to operate 40 buses from Ramsey/Rt. 17 Station Park and Ride to Weehawken/Port Imperial from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for light rail/ferry connections and Meadowland MetLife Stadium (Lots J & K).
• Suburban Transit/Coach USA to operate 40 buses from Weehawken/Port Imperial to Ramsey/Rt. 17 Station Park and Ride and to the Meadowlands MetLife Stadium from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Holmdel, Garden State Parkway Exit 116 (PNC Arts Center)

• Academy Bus to operate 130 buses from the PNC Arts Center from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. to:
  • Lower Manhattan
  • Port Authority Bus Terminal
  • Newark Penn Station
• Academy Bus to operate 130 buses between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. from:
  • Lower Manhattan
  • Port Authority Bus Terminal
  • Newark Penn Station

Elizabeth, Newark Liberty International Airport (Next to Dollar Rent-A-Car)

• Coach USA to operate 5 buses to Lower Manhattan from the adjacent lot of Newark Liberty’s Dollar Rent-A-Car from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Coach USA to operate 5 buses from Lower Manhattan the adjacent lot of Newark Liberty’s Dollar Rent-A-Car from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Jersey City (Liberty State Park)

• Community/Coach USA to operate 5 buses from Liberty State Park to Lower Manhattan from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Community/Coach USA to operate 5 buses from Lower Manhattan to Liberty State Park from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

NOTE:  Statue Cruises will also begin temporary operations from Liberty State Park Marina to Lower Manhattan from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., and from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m.  Ferry service from this location will be offered free of charge.

Since the landfall of Hurricane Sandy Monday evening, the Christie Administration has been working to restore transit access along the NJ TRANSIT system, while providing additional options for New Jersey residents to get back to work.  The following milestones were achieved within the first week of recovery:

• Monday: Hurricane Sandy makes landfall in New Jersey
• Tuesday: Bus service restored to Camden
• Wednesday: RiverLINE light rail service restored; bus service restored to 80% of all routes
• Thursday: Northeast Corridor rail service restored to New York Penn Station
• Saturday: Four additional rail lines restored; bus service restored to 90% of all routes
• Sunday:  Restoration of limited Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service; implementation of emergency trans-Hudson access plan for the Monday commute.

Customer Tips
The following tips are offered for customers traveling on Monday:

• Customers utilizing NJ TRANSIT rail or regular NJ TRANSIT bus service are encouraged to consider traveling during off-peak periods to avoid crowds and potential delays.
• Delays, detours and other challenges can continue to be expected by customers during system restoration and recovery. 
• For the latest travel information, customers should listen to broadcast traffic reports, visit njtransit.com, or access NJ TRANSIT’s Twitter feed at @NJ_TRANSIT.
• 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 cell phone, PDA or pager.
• Automated service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555.

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