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.
