NJ Transit Announces Cross-Honoring Ahead of Storm

New Jersey Transit will offer systemwide cross-honoring from Wednesday, March 6 at 2 p.m. until the end of the day Thursday, March 7 due to the coming storm, NJ Transit announced Tuesday afternoon.

Customers will be able 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, and customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the train instead, NJ Transit officials said.

Rail and light rail crews and equipment are on standby to quickly respond to downed trees, power outages or other issues that may arise, and NJ Transit will position locomotives at strategic locations in an effort to respond as quickly as possible should a train become disabled, officials said.

NJ Transit will also monitor crowds at New York Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and adjust services as needed, officials said.

NJ Transit will continue to operate on a weekday schedule, depending on the impact of the storm, and delays and detours in bus service are possible, officials said.

Additionally:

* snow plows and salt spreaders are ready for service, and snow removal contracts are in place with outside vendors;

* 16,000 bags of snow-melting supplies, and hundreds of shovels and snow blowers are available to NJ Transit;

* 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 were 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 rail cars, 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.

NJ Transit advises travellers of the following:

• Visit njtransit.com or access their Twitter feed at @NJ_TRANSIT prior to starting your trip.  In the event of delays or service adjustments, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager. If you are not yet a My Transit subscriber, you can sign up atwww.njtransit.com/mytransit.  Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports;
• Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information;

• Build additional travel time into your trip to a station, terminal or bus stop;
• Stairs, flooring and platforms can be slippery, so please use caution when walking along wet surfaces or any outdoor surface exposed to the weather. Use extra care when boarding or exiting buses and trains;

• Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or NJ TRANSIT staff; and  

• If you park, ensure your car is stocked with a snow brush and ice scraper so you can clear your car upon returning to the lot.