NJ Transit has quite a few rank-and-file employees who earned more than $75,000 each in overtime in 2016. In some cases, they take home a bigger paycheck than their boss.
One police sergeant took home a total of $229.575, more than NJ Transit’s police chief, who earned $162,273 or the $208,988 made by the executive director last year.
Why is overtime so high?
Unforeseen events play a large role in dictating how much overtime is needed, said Penny Bassett, an NJ Transit spokeswoman.
During a recent incident where a truck that was too high hit a rail bridge in Pennsauken, track inspectors and crews were dispatched to make immediate repairs to make conditions safe for customers and the general public, she said. In that incident, service was restored sooner than officials predicted.
In other cases, use of planned overtime is a management tool, she said. Sometimes, overtime is cheaper than the cost of salary and benefits of hiring a new employee.
NJ Transit officials said the agency has lost employees to other commuter railroads, which has resulted in using overtime to cover those vacancies. Last November, Executive Director Steven Santoro said the agency has seen a 5 to 10 percent decline in the number of maintenance employees in the last few years.
Upgrades right on schedule, agency says, but there might be more work needed after summer is over that could affect NJ Transit commuters
The major repairs at New York’s Penn Station that have pushed thousands of New Jersey Transit commuters off their normal routes into Manhattan this summer are right on-schedule after the first month of work.
The steady progress means service changes that have been in place since early July are still likely to end soon after Labor Day. But with the aging station and its heavily used infrastructure in need of even more fixing up once summer ends, additional track outages that could again impact NJ Transit may be looming.
According to the latest update from Amtrak, the agency that owns Penn Station and has been leading the ongoing repairs, workers will need roughly another month to finish fixing up Track 10 and a part of the facility that includes a very busy section known as “A Interlocking.” While the workers still have “considerable challenges ahead,” Gery Williams, Amtrak’s chief engineer, said they remain on course to complete those repairs by September 4.
“Really, overall, we’ve had a really, good week,” Williams told reporters on Friday as the project reached its official midway point. “From the project aspect, we’re 50 percent completed.”
“We’re very focused on delivering by Labor Day,” he said.
Glen Rock NJ, A tractor trailer hauling an over sized load through Glen Rock on Thursday afternoon, 07/27,was unable to successfully clear a grade level NJ Transit railroad crossing on Rock Road before warning gates lowered and hit the tractor. Two (2) Glen Rock Police uniformed patrol supervisors who were escorting the vehicle ordered the truck driver to back up off of the tracks to avoid a potential train vs. truck collision. The damaged warning gate was repaired by a NJ Transit Maintenance of Way technician, at which time train traffic was resumed. The over sized vehicle was backed westward on Rock Road to Main Street in order that it could continue on its way to Paramus. A NJ Transit Emergency Services Unit also responded to the scene. No injuries were reported by the truck driver. At least two (2) NJ Transit Bergen Line trains were significantly delayed due by the incident.
Ridgewood NJ, amazingly with what seems like a daily occurrence of commuter disasters Democrat Senator Bob Gordon shockingly declares NJ Transit ‘working pretty well’ ?
Senator Bob Gordon (D-38) is running for reelection this year is also serving as chairman of the N.J. Senate committee responsible for overseeing public transportation issues.
NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steve Santoro called this summers Amtrak New York Penn Station track work , an “all-hands-on-deck effort to communicate with our customers,” Warning, “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”
Looks like Senator Gordon did not get the memo,but you would think the guy would read a paper or turn on a TV once in a while .
Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey Transit is weighing whether it can pursue disciplinary action against train engineers after a manpower shortage forced dozens of ride cancellations causing further commuter uproar this week amid the “summer of Hell” track work at New York’s Penn Station.
NJ Transit Executive Director Steve Santoro said at a joint Assembly-Senate oversight committee that there were 40 total cancellations Sunday and Monday and that he will meet later this week with union leaders.
The union contract spells out the process for discipline, Santoro said after the Democrat-led hearing. “If it’s appropriate, disciplinary action will occur consistent with the contract,” he said.
At this point it is still unclear how many of the cancellations stemmed from engineers exercising a contract provision that allows them to take two days to report for work when schedule changes are made. But vacations and the summer track work also may have been a factor, Santoro said.
James Brown, chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen disputed the claim that the engineers do not want to come to work.
Republican state Sen. Joe Kyrillos got into a heated exchange, at one point asking Santoro whether it was true they were “screwing” NJ Transit customers by not working earlier this week.
Once again the hearings have made it all the more abundantly clear that Trenton has not clue what the commute is like to New York City every day and would explain the media ,obsession with “the bidgegate ” faux traffic delays.
Ridgewood NJ, The adult female driver of a black colored Chevrolet Traverse escaped injury when a NJ Transit bus slammed into her vehicle’s open driver’s side door in front of 144 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood on Tuesday afternoon, 07/18. Damage done prevented the door from being closed, so the Chevy had to be towed from the scene. The bus, with two (2) uninjured passengers on board, sustained glass damage, but was able to continue on its route after Ridgewood PD obtained all necessary information to process a crash report.
Operating budget keeps fares stable; Capital budget continues financial commitment to enhance overall customer experience
July 13,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood
Ridgewood NJ, The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today adopted a Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018) operating budget and capital program that supports continued investments in infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state of good repair and enhance the overall customer experience.
“NJ TRANSIT is moving forward with a balanced budget that reflects a laser-like look at individual business lines in order to maximize efficiencies and maintain a safe transportation system,” NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steven H. Santoro. “As transit professionals, we owe our customers and stakeholders a solid plan that has the least impact on our riders. After much hard work, I am confident we delivered on that.”
The Board adopted a $2.218 billion operating budget and a $1.367 billion capital program for Fiscal Year 2018.
Almost half of the revenue in the FY 2018 operating budget comes from passenger revenue ($1.014 billion), supported by a comparable amount from state and federal program reimbursements ($947.7 million) with the balance from a combination of commercial revenues ($115.2 million) and state operating assistance ($140.9 million).
The capital program calls for continued investment in the state’s transit infrastructure to maintain a continued state-of-good-repair and provide reliable transit service.
Operating Budget
The FY 2018 operating budget reflects an increase of state and federal reimbursements, which will enable NJ TRANSIT to meet the agency’s projected expenses this fiscal year. Approximately 61 percent of the operating budget is dedicated to labor and fringe benefits costs. Other significant expenses include materials and supplies and purchased transportation, which equal 25 percent of the operating budget.
Overall passenger revenue and commercial revenue represents approximately 51 percent of the total revenue.
Capital Program
The FY 2018 capital program continues to prioritize investment in infrastructure to maintain an overall state of good repair, enhance safety and reliability, and improve the overall customer experience on the system.
With the FY 2018 capital program, NJ TRANSIT continues its financial commitment to Positive Train Control.
The program continues to invest in railroad bridge rehabilitation, track replacement, signal upgrades, repairs to overhead power lines and electric substations as well as investments into the state-of-good-repair of the Northeast Corridor (NEC),
the agency’s most utilized rail line.
Approximately 53 percent of the program funds the basic capital program improvements needed to maintain and improve the transit system, including $201 million in rail infrastructure needs and $109 million in rail rolling stock improvements.
Other highlights of the program include $47 million in rail station improvements: $3 million for Cranford Station; $9 million for Elizabeth Station; $18 million for Perth Amboy Station; $2 million for Roselle Park Station; and $6 million for other station and terminal improvements, inspections and repairs.
The program also supports continued investment in the light rail system with $168 million being invested in bus and light rail infrastructure improvements: $99 million for replacement vehicles; $11 million for the Capital Asset Replacement Programs for both the Newark Light Rail and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail systems; and $17 million for bus passenger facilities and bus support facilities/equipment.
In addition, this budget allows for $86 million to be invested in system-wide improvements including: $9 million in technology improvements and $6 million for safety improvements; $33 million in system expansion improvements, including $29 million for Northern Branch Expansion and $4 million for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Route 440 Improvement.
Approximately 50 percent of the capital budget comes from the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), with 47 percent from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and 3 percent from other sources.
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 original estimates were “a very conceptual number,” based on a project that was, at the time, only 1 percent designed but is now at 10 percent design, said John Porcari, interim executive director of the Gateway Program Development Corporation.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
Ridgewood NJ, Because of Amtrak’s work this summer, the overall rail service plan for customers who will be traveling into Penn Station New York and Hoboken Terminal from July 10th – September 1st is as follows and will be in place continuously:
◊ Nearly all weekday Midtown Direct trains will be diverted to Hoboken except for the following four early morning trains, which will be operating into New York: Trains 6602, 6604, 6696 and 6306. All weekend Midtown Direct trains will operate directly into Penn Station NY.
◊ All Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, Raritan Valley Line and Midtown Direct trains on the Montclair-Boonton Line will operate on regular weekday schedules with minor time changes to/from Penn Station NY.
◊ Main/Bergen, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis Lines will operate on regular weekday schedules, however, customers may need to adjust their connections to New York at Secaucus.
I suggest sending an email as I did. A few key points:
The traffic counts taken in November (reported date November 2017 even though it’s only June ! ) were observed while west Glen ave was closed due to pseg construction installing new gas mains.
The huge delays in this construction were the direct result of NJ Transit refusing to allow Glen ave excavation under the trestle to replace gas mains. This required the contractor to dig huge holes on both sides of the train overpass and push pipes underneath creating massive delay for project completion.
This forced vehicle traffic to take alternate routes, specifically glenwood ave. Other than “road closed” sign and cones with arrows , along with a parked police cruiser there was no information Available to trucks that glenwood was restricted to 4 tons. I would not expect a trucker to pay attention to a sign for a one time detour.
This road used to handle a lot more traffic. Years ago when there was a traffic light and jug handle at route 17/racetracks road, most of the traffic destined for upper Ridgewood & midland park would exit rt 17 north and return home that way. After the state dot closed that intersection, that traffic migrated to Linwood age west, then walthery ave north to Glen , thus destroying that formerly quiet neighborhood.
The state had another traffic count on 2 days this spring. I would like to know if that was on the same day Glen was getting paved.
There is no reason to make this one way. The state should use our gas tax money to widen the road, widened the turn radius.
If you do not write emails as stated above the state bureaucracy will do what they want.
Ridgewood NJ, from the Village of Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen , Important link to information regarding modifications to Glenwood Rd (“S” Road – Glenwood Hill – HoHoKus Train crossing) traffic and pedestrian flow: https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/…/1440-glenwood-road-rr-crossing…
Currently the Village is hopeful to have the road remain open to one-way traffic with continued restrictions to vehicle size/weight. This remains a jurisdictional matter and Village efforts have been to avoid complete closure of this important connecting roadway. Importantly, as noted, “meritorious” objections received will warrant submission to the DOT’s Exception Committee to determine further action. Questions and/or objections concerning this matter should be directed to [email protected]. I would suggest copying on correspondence the following individuals: [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected]. Communications may also include support for the one-way compromise /solution.
As stated in DOT correspondence, Ridgewood will be required to adopt an ordinance to legally change Glenwood Road traffic to one-way; Village ordinances are subject to proper public notice and a public hearing. The ordinance introduction and public hearing will be added to a future Village Council agenda. To receive Village Council agendas and updates simply email [email protected] and note “register” in the subject line.
Kindly share this information with concerned residents, friends and neighbors.
