Hi Mooviters,
The locomotive engineers of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLET) have voted to strike, which means complete suspension of NJ Transit rail service, including Metro-North west of of Hudson service.
NJ Transit has developed a contingency plan that will accommodate an extremely limited number of rail customers.
NJ Transit strongly encourages all those who can work from home to do so and limit traveling in the NJ Transit system to essential purposes only.
The NJ Transit Contingency Plan
- The plan will only support a very small number of rail customers, approximately 20% of rail ridership will be supported.
- NJ Transit strongly encourages all those who can work from home to do so.
- The contingency plan focuses on its largest ridership – New York bound riders.
- The plan adds capacity to existing commuters bus routes in close proximity to rail stations.
- NJ Transit will contract with private carriers to operate bus service from key regional Park & Ride locations during weekday peak periods.
Regional Park & Ride Service
Park & Ride service will operate on a first come, first served basis beginning on Monday, May 19, from four key regional Park & Ride lots, weekdays only, during AM peak period inbound and PM peak period outbound. Times of operation are listed in the chart below. NJ TRANSIT will deploy customer service ambassadors at the Park & Rides to assist customers.
- Secaucus Junction to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York
- PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York (Operated by Academy Bus)
- NJ Transit tickets will not be accepted on Academy buses.
- Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station PATH
- Woodbridge Center Mall to Harrison PATH Station
Operation Times of Park & Ride Services
Important Note: For customers traveling from Newark to Hamilton on the Park & Ride bus service between 3-7pm, buses will depart from the Prudential Center plaza, at the intersections of Market St. and Mulberry St. Approximately 8 minute walk. See map here.
No midday, late-night, weekend or reverse commuter service will operate on these Park & Ride routes.
Limited added capacity on existing NJ TRANSIT bus routes to/from NYC
NJ TRANSIT will enhance peak period service on existing New York bus routes in close proximity to rail stations. The routes are as follows:
- Northeast Corridor: 108, 112, 115 and 129 bus routes
Route 108 Newark Penn Station to New York, boards at Newark Penn Station Raymond Boulevard Bus Lane 2B – Bus Stop ID No. 18835 – Departs Newark from 5:30 AM to 9:30 AM, and NY PABT from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Gate 34. This is an express bus and will not make any stops between Newark and NY PABT.
Route 112 Elizabeth to New York, boards at Broad Street and Jersey Street (one block from Elizabeth Station) – Bus Stop ID No. 28544 – Bus Stop ID No. 28544 – Departs Elizabeth from 5:20 AM to 9:30 AM, and NY PABT from 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Gate 26. This is an express bus and will not make any stops between Elizabeth and NY PABT.
Route 115 Linden to New York, boards at Wood Avenue and Linden Station – Bus Stop ID No. 29114 – Departs Linden from 5:30 AM to 8:30 AM, and NY PABT from 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Gate 30. This is an express bus and will not make any stops between Linden and NY PABT. - North Jersey Coast Line: 116 and 133/135 bus routes
Route 116 Woodbridge to New York, boards at Main Street and Pearl Street (Woodbridge Station) – Bus Stop ID No. 24178 – Departs Woodbridge from 5:25 AM to 9:25 AM, and NY PABT from 3:05 PM to 8:00 PM at Gate 22. This is an express bus and will not make any stops between Woodbridge and NY PABT. - Raritan Valley Line: 112 and 113 bus routes
Route 112 Elizabeth to New York, boards at Broad Street and Jersey Street (one block from Elizabeth Station) – Bus Stop ID No. 28544 – Departs Elizabeth from 5:20 AM to 9:30 AM, and NY PABT from 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Gate 26. This is an express bus and will not make any stops between Elizabeth and NY PABT.
Route 113 Cranford to New York, boards at North Avenue and Alden Street (Cranford Station) – Bus Stop ID No. 28515 – Departs Cranford from 5:10 AM to 8:55 AM, and NY PABT from 3:30 PM to 7:54 PM at Gate 28. This is an express bus and will not make any stops between Cranford and NY PABT. - Morris & Essex Lines: 107 bus routes
Route 107 South Orange to New York, boards at Sloan Street and 2nd Street (South Orange Station) – Bus Stop ID No. 19338 – Departs South Orange from 5:30 AM to 9:30 AM, and NY PABT from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Gate 32. This is an express bus and will not make any stops between South Orange and NY PABT. - Montclair-Boonton Lines: 193 and 324 bus routes
- Main/Bergen County Lines: 145, 163, 164 and 190 bus routes
- Pascack Valley Line: 163, 164 and 165 bus routes
Other NJ TRANSIT Services
- Bus: All other NJ TRANSIT bus routes will continue to operate on regular schedules.
- Light Rail: Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River Line service will operate regular weekday schedules.
- Access Link: Service will operate normally, however customers should anticipate longer travel times as a result of anticipated increases in traffic, and additional passengers in vehicles.
Ticketing
All existing valid rail tickets and passes with an origin or destination of New York, Newark or Hoboken will be accepted for travel on all Park & Ride service, and will be accepted on NJ TRANSIT buses and light rail lines.
Customers should purchase the following tickets from their bus Park & Ride origin:
- Secaucus Junction to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York
- Customers should purchase a Secaucus – New York rail ticket, available on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app or from a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) at Secaucus
- PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel to Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York (Academy)
- Customers should visit academybus.com for ticket purchase information
- Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station PATH
- Customers should purchase a Hamilton – Newark rail ticket, available on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app or from a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) at Hamilton
- Woodbridge Center Mall to Harrison PATH Station
- Customers should purchase a Woodbridge – Newark rail ticket on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app
Fares from regional Park & Rides are based on the existing fares from those locations. Adult, senior/disabled, and child fares will be available, as follows:
Cross-Honoring
NJ Transit rail tickets and passes will be cross-honored on all NK Transit bus and light rail lines.
NJ Transit tickets will NOT be accepted on Amtrak, MTA, PATH, PATCO, SEPTA, ferry or private carriers buses. Please purchase tickets directly from the providers.
MTA’s Preparations for Strike Affecting NJ Transit
MTA is Cross Honoring NJ Transit Tickets for West of Hudson Customers
MTA is cross-honoring NJ Transit tickets and passes on Metro-North in order to support West of Hudson customers. Cross-honoring began earlier to week in order to help customers prepare a travel alternative.
How does it work:
Metro-North conductors on Hudson Line and Harlem Line trains will honor NJ Transit tickets from stations in Rockland County and Orange County.
Additional Travel Options
Metro-North Cross-Hudson Ferries
The Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry, which connects to Ossining Station on the Hudson Line, will cross-honor Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Line tickets. Free parking is available at Haverstraw.
The Newburgh-Beacon Ferry continues to be replaced by shuttle bus service and connects to Beacon Station on the Hudson Line. It will cross-honor Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Line tickets. Free parking is available at Newburgh.
Hudson Link Bus Service
Metro-North encourages customers to consider taking one of the Hudson Link buses, connecting Suffern, Spring Valley, Palisades Mall and other locations with nearby Metro-North stations at Tarrytown and White Plains. Parking is available along the Hudson Link bus network. A step-up fare may be required for Hudson Link Bus travel, payable at Hudson Link kiosks or on their website/app. Metro-North will cross-honor West of Hudson rail tickets on the Hudson and Harlem Lines. Find out more information here: Homepage – Hudson Link
Leprechaun Lines
For travel between Newburgh and Beacon, Leprechaun Lines has a full schedule of service. Find out more about Leprechaun Lines buses here: Newburgh, Beacon, Stewart Shuttle – Leprechaun Lines
Private Buses
Coach Bus USA offers bus service between Port Jervis and Manhattan. Details about their service are available via their website, https://www.coachusa.com/. Monsey Trails Monsey Trails | Routes and Monroe Bus Lines offer service to Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Please see each company’s website for specific details.
Parking at Metro-North Hudson Line & Harlem Line Stations
Driving directly to Metro-North Stations east of the Hudson is also an option, although parking can be limited depending on the station and additional parking fees may be required. Parking on the west side of the river and using some of the cross-Hudson travel options listed above may make for an easier commute. Customers who drive to a Metro-North station east of the Hudson can find more about station parking lot capacities and fees here: https://www.mta.info/stations
West of Hudson parking passes will be cross-honored for customers to park in the Hudson Line lots at Cortlandt, Beacon, New Hamburg, Poughkeepsie and on the Harlem Line at North White Plains. Parking at other Hudson and Harlem Line stations is subject to local parking fees.
Driving farther away to stations on Metro-North’s New Haven Line is not recommended. Parking is generally more expensive or restricted by residential permits, and rail tickets, which are collected jointly through bi-state agreement with Connecticut, will not be cross-honored.