Skip the Traffic: NJ TRANSIT Launches Memorial Day ‘Early Getaway’ Service and Free Rides for Kids
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer, and thousands of New Jersey residents are gearing up to head to the Jersey Shore, visit family, or catch a flight out of the region.
To help travelers beat the holiday gridlock, NJ TRANSIT has announced the return of its popular “Early Getaway” rail and bus service starting Friday, May 22, 2026.
Even better news for families? The agency is extending its Family SuperSaver Fare for the long weekend, allowing up to two children ages 11 and under to ride completely free with each fare-paying adult.
Whether you are commuting on Friday afternoon or heading to the beach on Monday, here is your ultimate guide to navigating NJ TRANSIT’s Memorial Day schedule changes.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family SuperSaver Rules: Kids Ride Free!
To maximize holiday savings, the Family SuperSaver program will be in effect for an extended holiday window:
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Starts: Friday, May 22 at 7:00 PM
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Ends: Tuesday, May 26 at 6:00 AM
No special promo code is required—simply purchase your adult ticket, and up to two children (11 and under) can board with you at no extra cost.
🗓️ Complete Memorial Day Weekend Service Guide
Friday, May 22: Early Getaway Service
Extra outbound service will begin in the early afternoon to accommodate employers letting workers out early.
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🚊 Rail Changes (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Extra outbound trains will operate on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), North Jersey Coast (NJCL), Raritan Valley (RVL), Morris & Essex, and Port Jervis lines. Note: To make room for these additions, select standard afternoon trains on the NEC, NJCL, and RVL will be cancelled or combined.
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🚌 Bus Changes (Starting at Noon): Extra buses will deploy from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) on more than two dozen heavily trafficked routes.
Saturday, May 23 & Sunday, May 24
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Rail: The Bay Head-to-Long Branch shuttle will run on an enhanced, hourly schedule from roughly 8:00 AM until 10:00 PM—making beach travel seamless.
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Bus & Light Rail: Operating on standard weekend/holiday schedules across the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Newark Light Rail, and River LINE.
Memorial Day, Monday, May 25
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Rail: All lines will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule. The hourly Bay Head-to-Long Branch beach shuttle extension will remain active from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
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Bus: Schedules will vary by route. Many routes serving major shopping malls will operate on weekend schedules. Heads up: Buses may experience delays or localized detours due to Memorial Day parades cutting through various towns.
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Light Rail: Hudson-Bergen will run on a weekend schedule; Newark Light Rail will run on a Saturday schedule; River LINE will run on a Sunday schedule.
🧳 4 Essential Holiday Travel Tips
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Buy Tickets Digitally: Avoid long station lines by downloading the free NJ TRANSIT mobile app. You can buy round-trip tickets securely in advance. Reminder: If you are departing from the Port Authority Bus Terminal, you must buy your ticket before boarding.
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Pack Light & Smart: Luggage space will be at a premium. Use overhead racks, or use the mezzanine levels at the ends of the cars if you are riding a multilevel train.
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Build in a Time Buffer: Holiday traffic can severely impact bus travel times leading into and out of New York City. Give yourself an extra 30–45 minutes.
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Check Timetables Before You Leave: Because select standard trains are cancelled on Friday to accommodate early getaway routes, double-check your line’s specific timetable at njtransit.com.
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