All But One NJ TRANSIT Rail Lines Fully or Partially Restored Starting Monday, November 19
Customers Encouraged to Visit njtransit.com For Latest Scheduling Information
Trenton, NJ –The Christie Administration announced today that all but one NJ TRANSIT rail lines will be running full or modified service effective Monday, November 19. This includes the restoration of service along the North Jersey Coast Line, which suffered the brunt of the damage wrought by Hurricane Sandy.
Additionally, with the completion of repairs to a key Amtrak-owned electrical substation in Kearny that will generate additional power to the Northeast Corridor, NJ TRANSIT will be operating approximately 90 percent of its normal peak period service into New York Penn Station starting Monday morning. Main, Bergen County, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis Line trains will resume stopping at Secaucus Junction as a result of the additional rail capacity opened along the Northeast Corridor.
Updated schedules will be posted on njtransit.com by 3 p.m. Sunday, November 18.
“This is a major milestone in our continuing, post-Sandy recovery. The devastation wrought on the North Jersey Coast Line was the worst sustained throughout our system,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman James Simpson. “While we are not out of the woods and the recovery process continues, the restoration of this critical rail service is a major step forward for the Garden State.”
The restoration of service on the North Jersey Coast Line completes the full or partial restoration of all NJ TRANSIT rail lines. More than 30 miles of North Jersey Coast Line track sustained severe damage during the storm, including extensive rail washouts (no ballast under the tracks) between South Amboy and Bay Head. The River Drawbridge over Raritan Bay was severely damaged following a collision between two tugboats in addition to a record storm surge. The Morgan Drawbridge in South Amboy also sustained severe damage following a record storm surge and the impact from recreational boats and a cargo container.
“The restoration of NJ TRANSIT’s rail lines within 18 days of Sandy is a tremendous credit to the commitment, professionalism and the dedication of our employees,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein. “In this time of Thanksgiving, I would like to specifically offer our thanks to our employees for their service, as well as to customers for their patience and understanding during this difficult time.”
Effective Monday, November 19, NJ TRANSIT rail service will operate as follows:
Restored Service
Northeast Corridor: Service between Trenton and New York has been fully restored and will operate on a regular schedule.
North Jersey Coast Line: Service between Long Branch and New York will operate on a regular schedule, except for selected trains that will be cancelled. Trip times will be approximately five minutes longer due to signal system limitations. Service between Bay Head and Long Branch will operate on a regular schedule, except for 2300-series trains to/from Hoboken that will be cancelled.
Raritan Valley Line: Service between Raritan and Newark will continue to operate on a special schedule, with limited peak-period service between High Bridge and Newark.
Atlantic City Line: Service has been fully restored and is operating on a regular schedule.
Morris & Essex Lines: Midtown Direct service between Dover and New York will operate on a regular schedule. Shuttle trains between Summit and Hoboken will provide approximately hourly service to stations not served by Midtown Direct. Gladstone Branch service remains suspended until further notice. Customers may use free emergency shuttle bus/ferry service or shuttle bus to rail service from selected Gladstone Branch stations.
· Montclair-Boonton Lines: Midtown Direct service between Montclair State
University and New York will operate on a regular schedule. Limited shuttle
service between Hackettstown and Hoboken will operate on a special schedule.
Pascack Valley Line: Service between Spring Valley and Hoboken will continue to operate on a special schedule. Trains will resume stopping at Secaucus Junction.
Main/Bergen County Line: Service between Suffern and Hoboken will continue to operate on a special schedule. Trains will resume stopping at Secaucus Junction.
Port Jervis Line: Service between Port Jervis and Hoboken will continue to operate on a special schedule. Trains will resume stopping at Secaucus Junction.
Also effective Monday, November 19, NJ TRANSIT will adjust and refine its emergency trans-Hudson transportation plan to most efficiently match the available bus, rail and ferry resources with the needs of state citizens.
Starting Monday, new bus shuttle-to-ferry service and bus shuttle-to-train service will operate from selected stations along the Gladstone Branch of the Morris & Essex Lines to provide an alternate travel option for customers impacted by the ongoing suspension of Gladstone Branch train service.
In addition, bus shuttle/ferry services from several locations will no longer operate due to the restoration of NJ TRANSIT rail service near those locations.