NJ Transit Ready for Whatever Weather that Comes Our Way

With winter weather still moving through the region, NJ Transit has extended full systemwide cross-honoring through the end of the service day Friday, March 8, enabling NJ Transit customers to use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode—rail, bus or light rail, as well as private carrier buses. 

NJ Transit continues to monitor the storm and take 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.

High winds reported throughout the region overnight caused no damage to the NJ Transit system, and all trains, buses and light rail lines are operating on or close to schedule this morning.  In light of the potential for high winds and heavy, wet snow to impact the region today into tomorrow, rail and light rail crews and equipment remain on standby to quickly respond to downed trees, power outages or other issues that may arise. 

NJ Transit will be positioning locomotives at strategic locations across the rail system to rapidly respond in the event of a disabled train.  In addition, NJ Transit 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 Thursday, March 7 and Friday, March 8.  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, 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 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 zis 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.