NJ Transit Preps for Winter Storm

With another winter blast zeroing in on the Garden State starting late tonight (Sunday), NJ TRANSIT operations, customer service and police personnel are again taking steps to minimize delays and ensure service reliability and safety.  All customers are strongly advised to check njtransit.com before traveling for up-to-the-minute service information before starting their trip.

To offer customers additional travel options during the expected inclement weather conditions, NJ TRANSIT will offer full system wide cross-honoring on Monday, March 25, enabling NJ TRANSIT customers to reach their final ticketed destination through an alternate travel mode—rail, light rail, as well as on both NJ TRANSIT bus and private bus carriers.   

Customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their ticketed bus pass on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station. Customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use their ticketed bus pass on the train instead. Customers using their tickets or passes to travel to a destination other than the destination printed on their original ticket will be subject to the appropriate additional fare if applicable.

NJ TRANSIT is preparing to minimize disruptions and delays to the extent possible, particularly in light of the potential for icy conditions and heavy, wet snow, which are both expected across portions of the Garden State.  Locomotives will be strategically positioned across the rail system to rapidly respond in the event of a disabled train. 

Additionally, the agency will closely monitor the crowds at New York Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal and make adjustments to service as necessary. 
Customers are advised of the following: 

• Systemwide:  NJ TRANSIT plans to operate a regular weekday schedule Monday, March 25.  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.

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.  (If you are not yet a My Transit subscriber, we encourage you to 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 is well prepared to handle the impending winter weather:  

• 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 rail cars, light rail cars 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.