photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
October 27,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, For the second time in less than one (1) week, a brush fire caused the temporary suspension of train traffic on NJ Transit’s Bergen County Line through Glen Rock. The Friday afternoon, 10/27, brush fire was contained to a small area and extinguished by Glen Rock firefighters using water cans, shovels, and rakes. The fire was spotted by a NJ Transit Maintenance of Way employee working near 536 Broad Street, Glen Rock. No injuries were reported. Glen Rock Police, NJ Transit Police, and Hawthorne Fire Department also responded.
Ridgewood Station: Center Platform Stairs Serving Pedestrian Tunnel Closed Temporarily for Repair Work – Beginning Wednesday, October 25, 2017
October 24,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Beginning on or about Wednesday, October 25 and continuing through Friday, November 3, the stairway leading to/from the center platform and the pedestrian tunnel at Ridgewood Station between East Ridgewood Avenue and Wilsey Square will be closed temporarily for repair work.
During this time, customers may use the stairs or elevators serving the Franklin Avenue underpass for access to and from Garber Square, Wilsey Square, North Broad Street and the center platform serving tracks 3 and 1. For your safety, please follow directional signs and do not travel through barricaded areas.
We apologize for any inconvenience. For further information, please call NJ TRANSIT Customer Service at (973) 275-5555 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT is once again waging its annual battle against Mother Nature and fallen leaves on the rails. NJ TRANSIT is deploying its two AquaTrack machines throughout the fall season.
The AquaTrack equipment is a high-pressure power-washing system which removes leaves and oily residue from the tracks in an effort to prevent train delays caused by “slippery rail” conditions.
Last year, NJ TRANSIT unveiled its second AquaTrack unit which allows the cleaning process to maintain a larger coverage area in helping to prevent delays.
“While there is no way to completely eliminate the effect Mother Nature has on the railroad, the AquaTrack units have had great success in managing leaf-related slippage on our rails,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steve Santoro. “By utilizing these two highly specialized pieces of equipment, we can keep the rails free and clear of fallen leaves, increasing safety and keeping trains running on time.”
Fallen leaves left on rail tracks can cause a condition known as “slippery rail” – a challenge facing all railroads in the Northeast and other parts of the world where deciduous trees are prevalent. The decaying leaves create an oily residue that coats the rails and causes poor traction. The decreased train speeds, in turn, create delays.
The AquaTrack system has been in use by NJ TRANSIT since October 2003. It consists of two 250-horsepower diesel-engine units mounted on a flat car with an operator control cab. Two pressure-pump units dispense water up to 20,000 pounds-per-square-inch directly to the top of the rail. The process uses 17 gallons of water per minute.
The original AquaTrack operated primarily on the M&E and Montclair-Boonton lines, which face particular challenges including the hilly areas around Glen Ridge and Summit stations, washing the rails twice a day Monday through Friday—once overnight and again during midday hours. On weekends, the Pascack Valley and Main/Bergen County lines are usually covered. The addition of a second unit last year added cleaning on the Raritan Valley and North Jersey Coast Lines.
In addition to AquaTrack, NJ TRANSIT strategically spreads sand on the rails in front of peak-period trains to increase traction. NJ TRANSIT also trims trees to help stem the amount of leaves on the tracks. The leaf clearing operation runs from mid-October through mid-December.
Glen Rock NJ, An adult female pedestrian sustained a serious but non-life threatening leg injury when she was struck by a NJ Transit bus #164 at the intersection of Rock Road and South Maple Avenue in Glen Rock on Monday evening, 10/09. The victim was transported to The Valley Hospital by a Glen Rock EMS ambulance; she was conscious and alert when police and EMS personnel arrived at the accident site. Glen Rock Police is investigating the incident. Ridgewood Police units provided assistance with traffic control at the scene.
Select Bus Routes May See Significant Delays Following Lane Closures on Nearby New Jersey Route 139 Ramp After Fire
October 2, 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Beginning Monday, October 2, NJ TRANSIT is adding capacity to select bus routes and the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) due to anticipated traffic congestion near the Holland Tunnel as a result of lane closures and emergency repair work on the Rt. 139 ramp. Select bus routes may experience significant delays.
In anticipation of increased ridership on mass transit, NJ TRANSIT is providing additional capacity on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) between the West Side Ave. park-and-ride and Hoboken Terminal between 6:00-9:30 a.m. and 3:30-7:00 p.m. This will provide additional capacity and more connectivity to PATH service at Exchange Place, Newport and Hoboken Terminal.
In addition, NJ TRANSIT is adding capacity to bus routes along the Route 9 corridor in/out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York in the morning and afternoon peak periods. Customers may also use the North Jersey Coast Line rail service as an alternate but must purchase those rail tickets. Customers are advised to travel before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 a.m. for optimal seating capacity.
Customers on the 120 and 64J bus routes are being advised to expect potentially significant delays in the morning and evening peak periods and should allow for extra travel time.
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT has implemented a variety of rail safety upgrades over the past year and is looking at additional enhancements for the future, as part of its commitment to safety.
Rail Operations is currently in the process of replacing all stub end tracks at Hoboken Terminal with new sliding friction bumper blocks as well as advancing a speed control system for trains entering Hoboken Terminal. Other initiatives this past year include enhanced sleep apnea screening and testing, adding additional personnel to the front of trains entering certain stations and reducing speed limits.
“As we approach the one-year anniversary of the tragic incident at Hoboken Terminal, and while the cause has not been identified, NJ TRANSIT continues taking immediate actions to better protect our customers, our employees and the public,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steve Santoro. “The steps we’ve taken so far are moving us in the right direction and we continually raise the bar higher each and every day. Safety is a demand that I will not compromise or negotiate on.”
NJ TRANSIT hired an outside contractor to conduct a detailed inspection of all of the bumper blocks in Hoboken Terminal, and to provide a recommendation for the type of bumper block to replace the damage block on Track 5.
As a result, a decision was made to replace all of the bumper blocks with sliding friction bumper blocks at Hoboken Terminal, the Atlantic City Rail Terminal and the Meadowlands Rail Station – all stub end stations.
In addition, NJ TRANSIT is also advancing the speed control system for trains approaching the end of the platform at Hoboken Terminal.
Over the course of the past year, NJ TRANSIT has implemented the following safety initiatives.
In October 2016, NJ TRANSIT implemented an interim measure where any safety sensitive rail employee who exhibits any indication of potential fatigue symptoms is immediately removed from service until they obtain the appropriate documentation attesting to the satisfactory results or the condition is not present. This initiative was formalized as policy in April 2017.
To date, 350 of 370 engineers and nearly a third of more than a thousand conductors have been screened for sleep apnea. By the end of September, all locomotive engineers will be screened for sleep apnea.
NJ TRANSIT has advanced the installation of forward and inward facing cameras on trains. To date, nearly 84% of trains now have forward facing cameras and more than 73% of the rail fleet has inward facing cameras, which are focused on the engineer’s actions. NJ TRANSIT expects to have both cameras in the entire fleet by year’s end.
Rail Operations implemented a new initiative which requires the conductor to ride in the front cab of trains, along with the engineer, when entering terminals in Hoboken, Penn Station New York, Atlantic City, Princeton, Gladstone and the Meadowlands station.
Speed limits entering Hoboken, Atlantic City, Princeton and the Meadowlands Rail Station have been reduced from 10 mph to 5 mph as a proactive measure.
Rail Operations has increased the penalty for cell phone infractions, now up to a 90 day suspension for a first time violation.
The Office of System Safety (OSS) continues to hire and backfill key safety positions including a Deputy Chief Safety Officer, Industrial Hygienist, Environmental Safety Specialist and Safety Education Program Specialist.
OSS conducted 16 safety blitzes at key grade crossings and stations to educate and reinforce rail safety to customers and the public.
This past year, the New Jersey Transit Police Department worked with a number of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and emergency responders, providing emergency response training for 750 first responders, and rail safety training for an additional 550 first responders.
PVL train tickets will be cross-honored on Main/Bergen County Lines
September 13, 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Due to grade crossing repairs and signal and track maintenance work, NJ TRANSIT is replacing trains on the Pascack Valley Line with buses on weekends and during midday hours on weekdays beginning on Sunday, September 17 and continuing through Saturday, October 28.
This does not effect Ridgewood Main line and Bergen line passengers , but will impact Montvale , Park Ridge , Woodcliff Lake, Hillsdale, Westwood, Emerson, Oradell , River Edge , River Edge New Bridge Landing , Hackensack Anderson Street, Hackensack Essex Street , Teterboro , and Wood Ridge .
Expect larger crowds on Main line and Bergen line during midday hours and late nights .
During this time, Pascack Valley Line tickets and passes will be cross-honored on the Main/Bergen County Lines trains. At Secaucus Junction, Coach USA buses – which are replacing Pascack Valley Line trains – will arrive and depart from Platforms 9 and 10. Bus times may vary from train times at some station stops. Customers should visit the NJ TRANSIT website for specific schedule times.
While busing is in effect, all Metro-North customers from Spring Valley, Nanuet and Pearl River may use their monthly/weekly commutation passes for travel on Metro-North’s Hudson Line between Tarrytown and Grand Central Terminal.
Monday through Friday, midday hours
On weekdays, during the midday hours, buses will operate in two sections:
Between Spring Valley and Secaucus: There will be several buses operating as express and local between Spring Valley and Secaucus. Customers should be mindful of the signage denoting whether they are express or local buses before boarding. Some buses will operate between New Bridge Landing and Secaucus, making all stops except Teterboro. Teterboro customers may use NJ TRANSIT’s No. 161 Bus, which stops at Industrial Avenue and Route 46.
Note: For Train 1622, buses will operate in three sections: New York State Express between Spring Valley and Secaucus (no local stops in New Jersey); between Montvale and Secaucus, operating express between New Bridge Landing and Secaucus; and between New Bridge Landing and Secaucus, making all stops except Teterboro.
While the busing is in operation during the midday hours, shuttle trains for Pascack Valley Line customers will operate between Secaucus and Hoboken.
Saturdays and Sundays
Local and New York State buses will operate between Spring Valley and Secaucus. Customers traveling between Secaucus and Hoboken should use Main and Bergen County Line trains.
NOTE: For You Night Owls :Bergen County Line Train 69, which operates to Port Jervis and normally departs Hoboken at 12:40 a.m., will depart Hoboken 5 minutes later, at 12:45 a.m. Pascack Valley Line customers traveling from Hoboken and connecting with the last substitute bus from Secaucus will use Train 69.
Teterboro Station customers should note that the last weekend outbound bus of the night will stop at Teterboro ONLY by request.
Let me begin by thanking all of you for your patience over the last two months. The rail service adjustments made in July and August enabled Amtrak to complete a series of major infrastructure projects that will strengthen and improve operations at Penn Station New York (PSNY). Reducing train traffic in and out of New York during this two-month period helped accelerate the work and minimize long-term disruptions to your commute.
I realize that many of you made considerable adjustments to your travel and personal schedules to make this happen. To help minimize that, we planned and implemented an extensive alternative service program during the schedule change and launched an early communications plan to help you make informed decisions. That included discounted fares for our Morris & Essex Lines riders (M&E), substitute bus service at select stations along the M&E, and cross-honoring of tickets and passes on NJ TRANSIT and private carrier buses, on Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and Newark Light Rail trains, on PATH trains and on NY Waterway ferry services.
Throughout the summer, we monitored travel patterns and made adjustments to service as needed, primarily with additional bus service at M&E stations. We also installed new LED pilot screens at Hoboken Terminal that display every station served by trains at Hoboken in alphabetical order, along with the time of the next scheduled train to each station and the track number assigned to that train when it is available. Once we receive feedback, we will look to procure more permanent, weather-resistant screens.
I want to thank our transportation partners, including PATH and NY Waterway, for providing us with additional support that made the alternate service plan a success. I also want to thank all of our NJ TRANSIT employees who supported this plan, behind the scenes and on the front lines. That includes hundreds of employee ambassadors who were deployed at many stations and terminals to assist you throughout the two-month period. Let me also thank the stakeholders who supported NJ TRANSIT throughout this effort.
As a reminder, all fare discounts, substitute and enhanced bus services, as well as cross-honoring on bus, rail, light rail, PATH and NY Waterway ferry services in effect during the modified schedule between July 10 and September 1 will end at 3:00 a.m. Saturday, September 2. New weekday rail schedules will take effect Tuesday, September 5.
For the Labor Day weekend, NJ TRANSIT rail service will operate on a regular weekend schedule on September 2 and 3.
On Monday, September 4, trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all lines. It is important to note weekend service has not been affected by the PSNY repair work. All weekend Midtown Direct trains will operate to/from PSNY. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule. Bus schedules vary by route-customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com for schedule information.
In closing, while the work completed is a great accomplishment, Amtrak has advised us that additional repairs will be made through 2018. We will continue to receive updates from Amtrak on this planned work and provide you information on what, if anything, will impact your commute-even to the slightest degree.
Thank you again for your patience and ongoing support.
NJ TRANSIT FULL RESTORATION OF PSNY SERVICE SEPTEMBER 5
September 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT plans to restore full service at Penn Station New York (PSNY) on Tuesday, September 5th following confirmation by Amtrak today that Phase One of their track renewal project has concluded. As a result, all Morris & Essex Lines (M&E) Midtown Direct trains will resume service to and from PSNY and will no longer be diverted to Hoboken. North Jersey Coast Line trains also will resume operating into Hoboken Terminal.
“I want to thank our customers for their patience and flexibility during the summer months,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steven H. Santoro. “While many had to adjust their personal schedules, we tried to provide them with enough options and support to make the transition as smooth as possible. We also monitored travel patterns throughout the summer and made service adjustments as needed.”
New NJ TRANSIT weekday rail schedules will take effect Tuesday, September 5th, following a two-month modified service plan that enabled Amtrak to complete a series of major infrastructure projects aimed at improving reliability and safety at PSNY.
With the anticipated resumption of full service at PSNY, NJ TRANSIT’s alternate travel options, discounted fares and cross-honoring will conclude. Morning peak-period express buses from Morristown, Madison, Summit, Maplewood, South Orange and Newark Broad Street to the Port Authority Bus Terminal will no longer operate. Cross-honoring with private bus carriers, PATH and NY Waterway will end on Saturday, September 2nd at 3 a.m.
NY Waterway’s new ferry service between Hoboken and West 39th Street in NY which was operated at the request of NJ TRANSIT, will continue to operate after full service is restored at PSNY and be available to the general public. It is important to note this ferry service will no longer cross-honor NJ TRANSIT rail tickets and passes after September 1st.
All NJ TRANSIT rail customers are strongly advised to check the new schedules for specific departure times and station stops.
“I also want to thank our transportation partners – particularly PATH and New York Waterway, communities, elected officials and countless NJ TRANSIT employees who helped to make the service plan work as smoothly as it did,” added Executive Director Santoro.
To assist customers during the summer schedule, NJ TRANSIT installed new LED pilot screens at Hoboken Terminal that display every station served by trains at Hoboken in alphabetical order, along with the time of the next scheduled train to each station and the track number assigned to that train when it is available. This sign will remain in place, bringing long-term benefits for all Hoboken customers. Following feedback, NJ TRANSIT will look to procure a permanent sign that is weather-resistant.
As a reminder, all fare discounts, substitute and enhanced bus services, as well as cross-honoring on bus, rail, light rail, PATH and NY Waterway ferry services in effect during the modified schedule between July 10 and September 1 is expected to end at 3:00 a.m. Saturday, September 2nd. Additionally, new weekday rail schedules are expected to take effect Tuesday, September 5th.
Labor Day Weekend service: NJ TRANSIT rail service will operate on a regular weekend schedule on September 2nd and 3rd. Note: Weekend service has not been affected by the PSNY repair work. All weekend Midtown Direct trains operate to/from PSNY.
Labor Day
For Monday, September 4th, trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all lines. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule. Bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com for schedule information.
Waldwick needs to take this problem much more seriously, for as great as this original infiltration was, it is highly likely that it will get much worse and infinitely more dangerous as the colder months force them to take even more residence in homes. Rats carry all kinds of disease and are notoriously rabid. Their urine and feces leave disease-borne microbes everywhere, including in air ducts, children play areas and other areas where it becomes an incessant threat to human health, young and old alike! Rats are very adaptable and are very opportunistic, not to mention, their prolifate reproductive rate. A female can breed at 5 weeks-old, gestation is only 21 days, liters can be as high as14, or more simply put, 2 rats can become as much as 15,000 in less than a year.
These rats being dislocated from there past community now probably means the threat they represent has grown 100-fold, as did the chance of ever reducing the threat to what was once manageable to the neighbor hoods in Waldwick. I wish these citizens my hopes and prayers in dealing with a potentially tragic problem for their beautiful community.
Waldwick NJ, Wanamaker Avenue, a middle-class neighborhood that according to residents has recently become infested with rats. After finding them all over their property some Waldwick residents say rats are taking over their neighborhood.
According to neighbors the first signs of the rats was in the spring, since then, the issue has begun to tailspin, with more and more neighbors reporting sightings of the animals, both dead and alive. Some have even set traps.
Residents claim the sudden invasion started with nearby construction of Waldwick Station a Russo Development and Terminal Construction Corporation project that began building an 111-unit apartment complex on Zazzetti Street, along the NJ Transit rail, last summer .
Kelly Nicholaides, Staff Writer, @rovingwriter Published 6:18 a.m. ET Aug. 26, 2017 | Updated 8:50 a.m. ET Aug. 26, 2017
GARFIELD — Merchants and homeowners are bracing for an eminent domain fight since their properties were included in a redevelopment study. Mayor Richard Rigoglioso points to news and magazine clips he is collecting that characterize Garfield as one of the worst places to live in New Jersey as to why redevelopment is needed to regrow the city.
Rigoglioso wants to change the negative perception–beginning with redeveloping the six block area surrounding the Passaic Street train station.
“It’s a tough area to live in, overpopulated with a lot of 2 to 3 family units and absentee landlords. These six blocks haven’t changed for the better,” said Rigoglioso after the Aug. 24 Planning Board meeting. “If we redevelop the area, we can gain Transit Village status, like what Bloomfield did to improve the area around their train station. We want people to visit Garfield and spend money here.”
Glen Rock NJ, according to the Glen Rock Police , A Glen Rock man reported that his bicycle, valued at $200, was stolen from the NJ Transit Bergen County Line Train Station during the day. He had left the bicycle unlocked next to a bench before getting on a train at about 8AM and discovered it missing when he returned at 4 PM.
There have been a series of these types of robberies at NJT train stations along both the Main Line and the Bergen Line including some in Ridgewood , please lock your bikes up !
The Glen Rock detective bureau is currently investigating a series of bicycle thefts from both the Main Line and Bergen County Line Boro Hall NJ Transit train stations. As of this time there are no known witnesses or evidence. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at (201) 670-3947 or (201) 670-3948. Anyone who suspects they are witnessing a theft in progress should call 9-1-1.
Oradell NJ, sad news to report authorities confirmed that the body of Mark Schlegel, the talent agent from Oradell who has been missing for 11 days, has been discovered.
A Bergen County official confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the body of the missing man had been discovered.
Schlegel, 57, who worked for the Manhattan-based Cornerstone Talent agency had been missing since Sunday. Aug 13. He was last seen near Soldier Hill Road. According to reports a bloodhound detected his scent near a bus stop , while other reports suggest and officer found the body near Kinderkamack Road.
A bill sponsored by Assemblyman Rob Clifton, R-Monmouth, would force NJ Transit to offer a free replacement ticket to a rail rider if their train is more than an hour late.
Clifton points out that a similar idea was offered for awhile by SEPTA in Pennsylvania before it was discontinued.
“We heard from the customers and the commuters about the issues. You guys (New Jersey 101.5) reported, actually, back in April, about customer service issues, customer complaints and the delays. There was a hearing back in April before your story, where folks got up and addressed their complaints.”
Clifton says this refund idea is all about improving the customer experience for NJ Transit rail riders. The independently run NJ Transit reports that 13 percent of their trains in June were late.
