NJ Transit Ready for Latest Round of Winter Weather

New Jersey Transit is making multiple preparations in advance of the latest winter storm set to cover the state in snow, ice, sleet and freezing rain.

It is offering system-wide cross-honoring on Wednesday, meaning customers will be permitted to use their ticket for an alternate mode of travel, including rail, light rail or bus.

For example, customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their bus pass or ticket 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.  Customers using their tickets or passes to travel to a destination other than the destination printed on their original ticket will be subject to the appropriate additional fare if applicable.

All rail station buildings and waiting rooms will remain open throughout the evenings and overnight through Wednesday, NJ Transit officials said. It is also monitoring crowds at New York Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in order to make adjustments as necessary.

There may be delays or detours in the event of extreme weather conditions.

New Jersey Transit urges travelers to plan make additional time for travel, no matter the form of travel they choose.

In preparation, rail crews are closely inspecting railroad right of ways, looking for low hanging tree limbs and other abnormalities. Additionally, NJ Transit will place locomotives strategically across the rail system to rapidly respond in the event of a disabled train. 

New Jersey Transit has made the following additional preparations:

·  Snow plows and salt spreaders are ready for service and snow-removal contracts are in place with outside vendors;

·  NJ TRANSIT is well-stocked with 16,000 bags of snow-melting supplies, and hundreds of shovels and snow blowers;

·  NJ TRANSIT has performed maintenance and testing on its two rail-mounted jet snow blowers in the event they are needed to help clear train tracks of snow and ice, particularly in rail yards;

·  More than 750 rail switches, switch heaters and overhead wires have already been inspected as part of NJ TRANSIT’s preventative maintenance program;

·  Onboard heating systems, thermostats, weather stripping and electronic components have been inspected on NJ TRANSIT railcars, light rail cars and locomotives; and

·  Bus maintenance personnel have inspected and performed necessary maintenance on a fleet of nearly 2,200 buses - from the heating and airbrake systems, to the engine fluids, tires, windshield wipers and doors.

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