Update: NJ Transit strike begins, halting all trains across N.J.
Displaced NJ Transit rail commuters have some wide-ranging options Friday, including driving to work, taking a bus, or riding a ferry.
NJ Transit has set up a site that lists it contingency plans in for the strike declared Thursday night just ahead of the deadline.
Some towns are stepping up to provide alternatives to NJ Transit trains.
Maplewood, which ordinarily runs jitney buses to and from the township’s NJ Transit rail station, announced that in the event of a strike buses will be re-rerouted to the South Orange station, which is offering Manhattan express bus service.
For those committed to riding the rails, Amtrak provides service to Manhattan with stops at six stations in New Jersey. The PATH Network provides rail service to Manhattan and stops in Newark, Jersey City, Harrison and Hoboken.
“PATH will monitor stations and add service as necessary to address any unsafe conditions,” the agency posted on its website. “During peak hours customers could experience temporary crowding conditions and are urged to avoid the system during that time.
“Additional PATH staff will be available to assist with passenger navigation and crowd management.”
Then there’s the outside the box options, such as kayaking from Hoboken to Manhattan — which, believe it or not, has been a thing for years.
For those who ever wondered what it might be like to park in Fort Lee and walk, bike or run over the George Washington Bridge, a strike might offer sufficient incentive to give it a try.
Maybe the best option of all: Working from home, which is what officials are encouraging — at least for those with that privilege — if the rail strike happens.
Here’s some options:
NJ Transit buses
NJ Transit’s contingency plan calls for using supplemental bus service at four locations to assist rail commuters in the event of a strike, starting Monday, May 19.
That’s in addition to NJ Transit’s regular buses, which are unaffected by the rail strike.
However, the agency projects that the beefed-up bus service would accommodate only 20% of the displaced train commuters.
The four supplemental bus service locations would be:
- Secaucus Junction to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan
- PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel to the Port Authority Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station PATH
- Hamilton Rail Station
- Woodbridge Center Mall to Harrison PATH Station
Boxcar
Boxcar, which provides bus service to and from Manhattan with stops in nearly two dozen North Jersey towns, has been raising its profile in a big way.
The company has been adding buses, with thousands of additional seats, that will be ready to go whether or not the strike happens.
”We’re taking that gamble. These buses are going to be running no matter what," Kevin O’Donovan, a Boxcar business development associate, said in a video Wednesday posted by the company to Instagram.
Boxcar provides information on routes and fares here.
Academy bus
Academy released a list of routes that the Hoboken based company runs that will have expanded service Monday.
Garden State Parkway routes will have departures operating every 15-minutes from the Parkway to the Port Authority during rush hour.
- Judy Blume Service Area (Monmouth)
- First departure 3:30 A.M. / First return 1 P.M.
- Lincroft/Exit 109
- First departure 3:30 A.M. / First return 1 P.M.
- PNC Bank Arts Center
- First departure 3:30 A.M. / First return 1 P.M.
- Jon Bon Jovi Service Area (Cheesequake)
- First departure 3:40 A.M. / First return 12:30 P.M.
Route 36
- Airport Plaza to the Port Authority
- First departure 3:30 AM / First return 12:30 PM
Wall Street service will be provided via Route 9 & Route 36.
NY Waterway
NY Waterway provides ferry service to Manhattan from Edgewater, Weehawken, Hoboken, Jersey City and South Amboy.
“We’re closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to increase capacity and frequency of our ferry service between New Jersey and Manhattan based on demand,” said NY Waterway President and CEO Armand Pohan.
Light rail
A strike would not affect NJ Transit’s three light rail line systems in Essex County, Hudson County, and from Trenton to Camden.
Information on schedules is here.
MTA
MTA officials unveiled a plan that cross-honors ticket sales for West of Hudson travelers. Conductors on MTA’s Hudson and Harlem lines are instructed to honor tickets from stations in Rockland and Orange counties in New York. The plan will alleviate service disruptions for frequent riders on NJ Transit’s Port Jervis and Pascack Valley lines, which cross the border from New Jersey into New York State.
“While the MTA is not part of this labor dispute, we may be affected by it, and we’re taking steps to minimize disruptions for MTA customers,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said in a statement.
MTA said the Metro-North Railroad is also encouraging customers to consider Hudson Link buses connecting to Suffern, Spring Valley, Palisades Mall, as well as other locations with nearby Metro-North stations at Tarrytown and White Plains.
Amtrak
What is likely the second most thought of passenger rail service, Amtrak runs trains frequently into New York City. Some of Amtrak’s top station stops include Trenton, New Brunswick and Newark, providing access into Manhattan.
Amtrak officials, however, said the passenger line won’t honor NJ Transit tickets purchased by its rail commuters.
Port Authority
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says that PATH service will operate on a normal schedule on weekdays. However, they will add service, and additional staff, when necessary to minimize crowds.
A shuttle bus to Newark Airport will operate from Newark Penn Station.
More information about Port Authority options can be found here.
Private bus companies
The Port Authority is providing a list of those providing service to and from Manhattan.
NJ Transit
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Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.