NJ Transit to keep train station lobbies open during snowstorm

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NJ Transit says it will cross-honor rail, light rail and bus tickets throughout the upcoming snowstorm–and it will keep open its rail stations for commuter comfort. From a press release:

All NJ TRANSIT rail station buildings and waiting rooms will remain open extended hours, including evenings and overnight, throughout the storm.

The Morristown Parking Authority, meanwhile, will open its municipal parking garages to town residents for free starting at 6 pm tonight, Jan. 11, to clear the streets for snow plowing.

FROM NJ TRANSIT:

NJ TRANSIT PREPARES FOR WINTER STORM, ANNOUNCES SYSTEMWIDE CROSS-HONORING

Customers advised to check njtransit.com before traveling

NEWARK, NJ — As the season’s latest blast of winter moves toward the region, NJ TRANSIT operations, customer service and police personnel are taking steps to minimize delays and ensure service reliability.

All customers are strongly advised to check njtransit.com before traveling for up-to-the-minute service information before starting their trip.

snowflake electron microscope
A snowflake, viewed through an electron microscope at the US Department of Agriculture. A lot of snowflakes are predicted for Morristown tonight.

Systemwide Cross-Honoring in Effect:  To give customers additional travel options during expected winter weather conditions, NJ TRANSIT will offer full systemwide cross-honoring starting at 7 p.m. tonight and continuing all day Wednesday, January 12, enabling customers to use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode—rail, bus or light rail.  For example, customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their bus pass on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station.  Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line instead at no additional charge.

Extended Station Hours for Passenger Comfort:  All NJ TRANSIT rail station buildings and waiting rooms will remain open extended hours, including evenings and overnight, throughout the storm.

Rail Service:  NJ TRANSIT plans to operate a regular weekday schedule on Wednesday, January 12.
On Wednesday, the center doors on single-level rail cars will not be used, as part of an effort to improve reliability.  Customers should use the doors located at the ends of each rail car to board the train.

Because center doors are particularly susceptible to snow and ice issues, locking out the center doors improves reliability.

Due to weather conditions, trains may be subject to slower boarding and slightly longer dwell times at stations that could result in scattered minor delays across the system.

Bus Service:  While every effort will be made to continue operating bus service systemwide on a regular weekday schedule, customers may experience delays, detours or service suspensions on certain routes due to significant snowfall expected in some regions, particularly in northern New Jersey.  Customers are advised to plan accordingly and allow additional travel time, as buses will be subject to local road conditions once the storm begins.

Light Rail Service:  NJ TRANSIT plans to operate a regular weekday schedule on Wednesday, January 12.

Travel Advice:

Before starting your trip, visit the Travel Alerts page at njtransit.com for up-to-the-minute service information. This information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 and from broadcast traffic reports.  Customers with web-enabled mobile devices can access real-time service information via the mobile version of njtransit.com. To access the site, simply enter njtransit.com on your mobile device.
Allow extra time getting to and from your station or bus stop.  Use extreme caution when walking on exposed sidewalks, parking lots and station platforms, as well as when boarding trains and buses.  Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crewmembers or other NJ TRANSIT personnel.
If you park at the station, remember to have a shovel and snow scraper in your vehicle.  You may have to clear your car when you return.

NJ TRANSIT Preparations for Winter Weather

Rail Operations

Hundreds of rail cars and locomotives have been “winterized,” a process that includes checking onboard heating systems, ventilation, thermostats, weather stripping and electronic components, as well as changing locomotive filters and fuel from a summer blend to a winter blend.
NJ TRANSIT’s preventative maintenance program also includes the inspection and winter maintenance of more than 750 switches and switch heaters, overhead wire systems, 12 moveable bridges and wayside power at storage yards and terminals.
Two jet-engine-powered snow blowers are available to remove ice and snow from tracks and critical switching areas. In addition, all locomotives are equipped with snowplows to clear snow from the rails.
NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations has 20,000 pounds of salt on hand with the ability to obtain an additional 100,000 pounds, if needed.

Bus Operations

Bus maintenance personnel have checked the heating systems, engine fluids, tires, windshield wipers, doors and airbrake systems on NJ TRANSIT’s 2,100 buses.

Bus snow-fighting equipment has been readied and ice/snow-inhibiting supplies have been restocked for winter to keep 52 bus loops, terminals and lots cleared throughout the state.

NJ TRANSIT Bus Operations has 600 tons of bulk salt on standby statewide, with each of its 15 garages stocked with bag salt.

Vendor contracts have been finalized to perform plowing of larger park/ride facilities.

Light Rail Operations

Snowplows are ready to clear station platforms and park/ride lots.

All switch heaters have been tested.

Additional operations and maintenance employees have been placed on alert.

Stations and Terminals
All rail stations equipped with heaters have been inspected to ensure that they are in proper working order.

All public address systems at rail stations and bus terminals have been inspected.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation’s largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

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