NJ Transit Prepares for Winter Weather

With more winter weather expected to move through the region starting Wednesday afternoon and continuing into Thursday, NJ TRANSIT is mobilizing its operations, customer service and police personnel across the state to keep the system running smoothly and minimize delays. 

In anticipation of the storm, NJ TRANSIT will offer full system-wide cross-honoring starting at 1 p.m. today, and continuing until the end of the service day Thursday. That means NJ TRANSIT customers can use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode—rail, bus or light rail.  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. Customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold can use the train instead.

In addition, NJ TRANSIT rail lines are on modified schedules because of Hurricane Sandy and customers are advised to check njtransit.com before traveling. 

While NJ TRANSIT is preparing to minimize disruptions and delays, customers are advised of the following:

• System wide: NJ TRANSIT plans to operate a regular weekday schedule today and tomorrow, Dec. 26 and 27.  Depending on the impact of the storm, it may be necessary for NJ TRANSIT to modify service as conditions change. 
• Bus Service: While every effort will be made to continue operating bus service throughout the state, customers may experience delays or detours on their routes in the event of extreme winter weather conditions.  Customers are advised to plan accordingly and anticipate disruptions to bus service.

NJ TRANSIT is prepared to handle the impending winter weather in the following ways:

• Snow plows and salt spreaders are ready for service and snow-removal contracts are in place with outside vendors.
• NJ TRANSIT is well-stocked with 16,000 bags of snow-melting supplies, and hundreds of shovels and snow blowers.
• NJ TRANSIT has performed maintenance and testing on its two rail-mounted jet snow blowers in the event they are needed to help clear train tracks of snow and ice, particularly in rail yards.
• More than 750 rail switches, switch heaters and overhead wires were inspected as part of NJ TRANSIT’s preventative maintenance program.
• Onboard heating systems, thermostats, weather stripping and electronic components have been inspected on NJ TRANSIT railcars and locomotives.
• Bus maintenance personnel have inspected and performed necessary maintenance on a fleet of nearly 2,200 buses--from the heating and airbrake systems, to the engine fluids, tires, windshield wipers and doors.

Travel Advice:

• For the latest travel information, visit njtransit.com or access its Twitter feed at @NJ_TRANSIT prior to starting your trip.  In the event of delays or service adjustments, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager.  (To become a My Transit subscriber, sign up at www.njtransit.com/mytransit). Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.  
• Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.
• Build additional travel time into your trip to a station, terminal or bus stop.
• Stairs, flooring and platforms can be slippery, so please use caution when walking along wet surfaces or any outdoor surface exposed to the weather. Use extra care when boarding or exiting buses and trains.
• Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or NJ TRANSIT staff.  
• If you park, ensure your car is stocked with a snow brush and ice scraper so you can clear your car upon returning to the lot.

-NJ Transit