Category: Commuters

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New Jersey State Police remind you to leave a little extra time and a little extra space

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog 

Ridgewood NJ, the New Jersey State Police remind you to leave a little extra time and a little extra space. 

Although winter is still a little over a week away, cold temperatures and winter weather are upon us nevertheless. Parts of North Jersey are expected to get some light snow tomorrow morning and into the afternoon, which could create hazardous road conditions.

Now, meteorologists aren’t predicting a blizzard, but light snow can still create dangerous driving conditions. The best thing you can do to help us and crews tasked with treating and clearing the roads is to avoid driving during inclement weather if you can. Less traffic creates a safer environment for the men and women working on the roadways during inclement weather.

But we do know that many of you will have no choice but to drive to work. Fortunately, there are few things you can do to keep yourself and others safe when driving on snow-covered roads. First, you can #SlowYourRoll! Driving at speeds too fast for the road conditions is often a contributing factor in snow-related crashes and spinouts. These types of crashes not only put our Troopers in danger, they also put you, your occupants and other emergency personnel (like tow-truck drivers and first responders) in danger as well. Other cars spinning out of control are deadly to pedestrians at a scene.

The next best thing you can do is to leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you should you have to brake unexpectedly. Even anti-lock brakes are not enough to stop a slowing or stopping car sliding on slick, snowy roads. Oh, and plan to leave for work a little earlier. Because you’ll be rolling slower, right?

Troopers will be on patrol to assist you if you need us. Hopefully, you won’t require our services. Snow is expected to start in the morning. Snow totals will vary depending on where you live with some areas getting a wintry mix. For more in-depth updates, go to the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management Facebook page.

Be safe, people!

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SALE OF 2019 ANNUAL RIDGEWOOD PARKING PERMITS (RPP)

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ANNUAL PARKING PERMITS AND FREE PARKING IN VILLAGE PARKING LOTS ON SPECIFIC SATURDAYS

Village  Manager Heather A. Mailander

Ridgewood NJ,The 2019 Annual Commuter (Ridgewood Parking Permits – RPP) will go on sale on Monday, December 17,2018 at 8:30 a.m. at the Reception Desk in the lobby of Village Hall, and will continue to be sold Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to4:30 p.m., except holidays.  All applicants must bring their driver’s license and vehicle registration(s) for car(s) they wish tolist on their permits, as the RPPs allow up to 3 cars on each hang tag.  The RPPs allow commuters to park in designated Ridgewoodparking lots without having to pay the parking meters.  The following is a summary of the Ridgewood Parking Permits (RPPs) and their prices:

Premium RPP – $1,300 annual fee – allows Ridgewood residents to park in the Train Station lot, Prospect Street lot, and allRidgewood lots, including Route 17 Park and Ride lot.  A Premium RPP may not be used in the Hudson parking lot.  A maximumof 155 Premium RPPs will be sold, on a first come, first served basis. 

Hudson Lot – $1,300 annual fee – allows Ridgewood residents to park in the Hudson parking lot only, with a guaranteedparking space.  When the Hudson parking lot is closed, due to the construction of the parking garage, those residents with a Hudson parking lotpermit will participate in a ride share program, through December 31, 2019.  Residents who purchase Hudson parking lot permits must purchase apremium Ridgewood parking permit at the end of 2019 in order to continue to participate in the ride share program until the parking garage opens in2020. 

Non-Premium RPP – $975 annual fee – allows Ridgewood residents to park in Chestnut Street lot, North Walnut Street lot, CottagePlace lot, and Route 17 Park and Ride lot. 

Park and Ride RPP – $975 annual fee – this price is for both Ridgewood residents and non-residents, and allows parking in theRoute 17 Park and Ride lot.

Non-resident RPP in Central Business District – $1,950 annual fee – allows non-residents to park in the Cottage Place lot.

Ridgewood Resident Commuter Sticker – Free – All Ridgewood resident commuters who wish to park at the train station must bringin their driver’s license and vehicle registration(s) to obtain a free Ridgewood Resident Commuter sticker.  Free Ridgewood ResidentCommuter stickers will also be issued to all Ridgewood residents purchasing RPPs and the Hudson Lot permit.

The Village will accept checks, cash, or credit cards (with a 3% transaction fee to the user) for payment.

There are also Central Business District (CBD) Employee stickers and hang tags that may be purchased by those who work in the CBD and allows parkingat designated meters in the North Walnut Street and Cottage Place lots.

For more information, please visit our website: www.ridgewoodnj.net.

 

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As feds equivocate, Hudson tunnel cost grows to $13 billion

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By DANA RUBINSTEIN

07/06/2017 02:06 PM EDT

A plan to build a new passenger rail tunnel — and repair the existing one that’s now falling apart — will cost nearly $13 billion and could, perhaps, be completed in late 2026, according to a draft environmental impact statement released Thursday.

That $13 billion represents an increase over the original estimate of the project, which was routinely pegged by officials as somewhere in the $8 to $10 billion range.

The new estimates might be conceptual too.

https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2017/07/06/hudson-tunnels-which-feds-have-yet-to-commit-to-will-cost-13-billion-113245

 

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NJT : “Summer of Hell” Starts Monday

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Bergen Line and Main Line and Port Jervis customers can expect delays ,but schedule remains unaffected .

July 8,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood  blog

Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT is reminding customers that the summer rail service changes due to Amtrak track work at Penn Station New York (PSNY) will go into effect on Monday, July 10th.  This includes the diversion of all M&E Midtown Direct trains scheduled to arrive in PSNY after 7 a.m. to Hoboken Terminal, where alternate bus, ferry and PATH service is available.  Additional busing will be in place at key locations.

“This has been an all-hands-on-deck effort to communicate with our customers,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steve Santoro.  “If you haven’t done so already, I strongly urge all customers to utilize the next few days to familiarize yourself with all of your travel options.

“This will not be a normal commute for any of us including our customers, so we ask that you; stay connected to social media and our web page for the latest information; stay ahead by building in extra time for your commute; and stay cool and try not to lose patience. On Monday, our customer service ambassadors will be out in force, so if you have questions or need directions, just look for them in their bright yellow vests,” Santoro said.

For the past several weeks, NJ TRANSIT has been preparing its customers for these upcoming service changes.  NJ TRANSIT has been engaging with customers through “We Are Listening” forums in Hoboken and PSNY, customer service ambassadors answering questions at key stations, senior and executive management staff riding M&E trains into PSNY during the morning rush hour in addition to informational flyers, newsletters, service alerts, internet advertising and a new section of the website devoted entirely to this effort at njtransit.com/theupdate.  New paper rail schedules were printed reflecting the service changes and are available throughout the system.  Electronic printable versions of the schedules can be found at njtransit.com/theupdate.

To accommodate Amtrak’s track repairs in July and August at PSNY, NJ TRANSIT must implement service changes weekdays only between Monday, July 10th and Friday, September 1st.  NJ TRANSIT is strongly advising customers on all modes of transportation to remain aware of the status of the system by signing up for My Transit alerts, monitoring Twitter (@NJTRANSIT) and the website njtransit.com/theupdate.

NJ TRANSIT Service Plan July 10th- September 1st . The summer service plan will be in place weekdays from July 10th through September 1st and primary effect Morris & Essex Lines (M&E) customers. Bergen Line and Main Line and Port Jervis customers can expect delays ,but schedule remains unaffected .

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NJ TRANSIT SERVICES NOT BE IMPACTED BY STATE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

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June 30, 2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In the event of a state government shutdown, NJ TRANSIT’s rail, bus and light rail services will not be impacted and will operate on their regular schedules. In addition, Access Link, NJTRANSIT’s paratransit service will maintain normal operations.

All NJ TRANSIT’s offices, terminals and stations will be open on their regular hours of operations to assist customers as they travel through the NJ TRANSIT system.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation’s largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 944,000 weekday trips on 255 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

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Solution to NYC’s commuter hell could ruin real estate developers

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By John Crudele

June 28, 2017 | 10:48pm

Commuters coming into New York City from the north, south, east and west are irate.

The Long Island Railroad, New Jersey Transit, Amtrak and Metro North — not to mention the New York City subway, which moves 5.7 million people every weekday — have all been plagued by dramatic breakdowns and crashes over the past few months.

And as angry as all those commuters are, there is another group of people who should be even more livid — only they don’t know it yet.

That group consists of real estate developers and New York City building owners. And I will give you my prediction of what will happen if the commuting nightmare isn’t straightened out very soon.

As I type this column on Wednesday afternoon, there are 387 new buildings under construction in Manhattan. According to the New York City Department of Buildings, that will add 95.7 million square feet of new space to Manhattan’s already massive real estate inventory.

When you include construction in the Bronx (380 buildings), Brooklyn (1,625 buildings), Queens (1,251 buildings) and Staten Island (713 buildings), the city as a whole will add 225.6 million square feet of new space.

So how is this real estate boom connected with the problems commuters are having? Easy, the attractiveness of telecommuting is going to increase.

https://nypost.com/2017/06/28/solution-to-nycs-commuter-hell-could-ruin-real-estate-developers/

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NO liquid containers of any kind, open or closed, will be permitted on any NJ TRANSIT train or buses on July 4th

Ridgewood Train Station

June 29,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  NJ TRANSIT will offer “early getaway’’ rail and bus service on Friday, June 30, for the benefit of customers leaving work early and taking a four-day weekend, in anticipation of the Independence Day holiday on Tuesday, July 4th. In addition, there are changes to service throughout the NJ TRANSIT system that will take place on July 4th.

To help speed the getaway, customers are reminded that they can enjoy the convenience of purchasing tickets through the MyTix feature on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app.

Customers planning to use Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) service to and from Liberty State Park for the July 4th Jersey City “Freedom & Fireworks Festival’’ from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. will encounter crowds and possible delays. Customers are strongly advised to purchase roundtrip tickets in advance.

A reminder that liquid containers of any kind, open or closed, will not be permitted on any NJ TRANSIT train or light rail vehicle on July 4. Beverages of any kind are prohibited at all times on board buses.  Extra police patrols will be out on all modes of transit.

On Friday, June 30:

Extra outbound trains will operate on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines starting at approximately 1 p.m. to get customers home early. Please visit www.njtransit.com for details.

Extra buses will operate from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and from the Hudson River Waterfront on several bus routes starting around noon.  If you do not see your bus route listed here: https://www.njtransit.com/sa/sa_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=ServiceAdjustmentTo&AdjustmentId=16036, please refer to your bus route timetable, which can be found at www.njtransit.com.
All light rail systems will operate on regular weekday schedules.

On Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2:

All light rail systems will operate on regular Saturday/Sunday or Weekend schedules.
Trains will operate on a regular weekend schedule.

As a reminder, Summer Shore service – with direct service between Bay Head and New York and hourly Bay Head-Long Branch shuttle service from approximately 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays – operates each weekend and holiday until September 9.

Please check your bus route timetable at www.njtransit.com for details.

On Monday, July 3:

All light rail systems will operate on regular weekday schedules.
Trains will operate on regular weekday schedules.
Buses will operate on regular weekday schedules with select routes seeing a reduction in service due to anticipated lower-than-normal ridership. Please check the Alerts & Advisories tab on njtransit.com for details on specific buses.

On Independence Day, Tuesday, July 4:

Trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all lines, including:

A special rail schedule on the Gladstone Branch (which is available only via the website’s trip planner and station-to-station features or at: https://www.njtransit.com/sa/sa_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=ServiceAdjustmentTo&AdjustmentId=9792).
An extra train departing Port Jervis at 4:09 p.m., which makes all stops to Suffern, then operates express to Secaucus Junction and Hoboken.

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on an enhanced weekend schedule.  Customers using the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) service to and from Liberty State Park for the July 4th Jersey City Freedom & Fireworks Festival from 1 to 10 p.m. will encounter crowds and delays. Please build enough time into travel plans.
Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule.
River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule.
Bus schedules vary by routes. Customers are advised to check their timetables, consult the Holiday Service Guide or visit www.njtransit.comfor schedule information.  Please allow for extra time and consult timetable for details.  NOTE: Buses may be subject to detours and service delays in both directions for Independence Day parades through various towns.

Summer Savings

The Independence Day holiday is a great time for customers to take advantage of

NJ TRANSIT’s discounted travel packages to destinations including the Jersey Shore, Six Flags, Monmouth Park and Liberty Science Center:

Beach Packages:  Board a train anywhere on NJ TRANSIT’s rail system, excluding Atlantic City Rail Line stations and save up to $5.00 on admission to one of five beaches— Long Branch, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach and Belmar—by purchasing round-trip train fare and a discounted beach pass for one price at NJ TRANSIT ticket vending machines (choose “Beach/Monmouth Park Packages” and select “Beach Package”) or at ticket windows.  Beach Packages will be available daily through Labor Day, Monday, September 4.

Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari or Hurricane Harbor:  Save up to $32 by purchasing round-trip bus transportation and park admission together.  NJ TRANSIT provides express bus service to Six Flags from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York and Newark Penn Station.

Monmouth Park:  Save $5.50 when you travel to Monmouth Park Racetrack.  Simply purchase a package to Monmouth Park from NJ TRANSIT ticket vending machines (choose “Beach/Monmouth Park Packages” and select “Monmouth Park Racetrack”) or at ticket windows from any NJ TRANSIT station, except Atlantic City Rail Line, and receive round-trip transportation, Grandstand Admission and an official track program for $3.50 plus the regular cost of a round-trip rail ticket.

Liberty Science Center:  Save $5 per person for up to four general admission, combo ticket and/or all-access passes when you travel on NJ TRANSIT and show your ticket, pass or fare receipt at Liberty Science Center.  General admission passes include live science demonstrations, hands-on labs, and a variety of daily activities.  Combo and all-access passes provide options for films and premium exhibits.

Visit njtransit.com for more information on NJ TRANSIT summer travel deals.

On weekends, kids ride free on NJ TRANSIT

Every weekend, families riding NJ TRANSIT can save with the Family SuperSaver Fare, which allows two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying adult.  For the Independence Day holiday weekend, the program will be extended and in effect from 7 p.m. Friday, June 30 until 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 5.

Travel tips

Check Schedules in Advance:  Plan your trip online to take advantage of extra trains and buses.
Allow Extra Travel Time:  Traffic congestion during the long holiday weekend may affect bus travel times especially on routes using the Garden State Parkway heading down the shore, so customers should plan accordingly.
Ticketing:  Purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip to speed your return.  Use the MyTix feature on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app, ticket vending machines or see a ticket agent, if available, to avoid possible surcharges.  Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal are reminded that tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus.
Luggage:  Travel as light as possible.  Passengers with luggage or packages should use the overhead racks or designated luggage spaces.  On multilevel trains, those with bags should use the mezzanine levels at the ends of each car.

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Will N.J. lose $600M in federal transit funds by missing a deadline?

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Updated on June 20, 2017 at 8:55 AMPosted on June 20, 2017 at 8:45 AM

BY JONATHAN D. SALANT

NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

WASHINGTON — New Jersey could lose $600 million in federal transit funds if it doesn’t meet a federal deadline for setting up a rail safety oversight program.

The state is in the first stage of putting the program in place, according to a progress report released Monday by the Federal Transit Administration. Without a certified program, the state could no longer receive federal funding for transit.

“States need to realize timely action is critical,” FTA Executive Director Matthew Welbes said.

https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/06/could_600m_in_federal_transit_funds_be_at_risk.html

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Woman Calling NJ TRANSIT Customer Service Reaches Dating Line Instead

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Woman Calling NJ TRANSIT Customer Service Reaches Dating Line Instead
April 24, 2014 2:47 PM

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A woman who intended to dial a NJ TRANSIT help line instead reached a very different kind of hotline. She called a hotline number posted on a customer information poster at the rest area, but instead heard a sex chat line message.

As WCBS 880′s Levon Putney reported, the woman was at the Vince Lombardi rest area on Wednesday morning when a self-serve kiosk at the park-and-ride ate her credit card.

She called a hotline number posted on a customer information poster at the rest area, but instead heard a sex chat line message.

“Welcome to America’s hottest talk line. Ladies, to talk to interesting and exciting guys free, press one now. Guys, hot ladies are waiting to talk to you, press two to connect free now,” the recording on the other end said.

“We regret the customer’s experience. It was an old sign that should have been removed long ago. It was brought to our attention, we addressed it immediately,” NJ TRANSIT spokesperson Nancy Snyder told Putney.

The transit agency surrendered the number in question in 2008. The phone company apparently reassigned it.

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/04/24/woman-calling-nj-transit-customer-service-reaches-dating-line-instead/

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NJT bans alcoholic beverages on on all trains for St Patrick’s Day

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NJT bans alcoholic beverages on on all trains for St Patrick’s Day
March 13,2013
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On Saturday, March 16, alcoholic beverages will NOT be permitted on any train to and from New York/Hoboken. This policy will be strictly enforced. Beverages of any kind are prohibited at all times on board buses.

NJ Transit police arrested 16 people during St. Patrick’s Day last year, including two people who were charged with aggravated assault on two conductors. Most of the arrests were for disorderly conduct.

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