EXTENDED RARITAN VALLEY LINE SERVICE TO START OCT. 28

Passing tracks create greater travel flexibility including earlier and later service to and from High Bridge

September 28, 2007
Contact: Joe Dee (973) 491-7078

NEWARK, NJ ¿ NJ TRANSIT will add service between Raritan and High Bridge starting October 28 by extending eight trains¿four in each direction. The additional service is made possible with the completion of a new passing track near White House Station that allows for bi-directional train traffic west of Raritan Station.

Raritan Valley Line customers will benefit from earlier morning peak-period service originating in High Bridge and later evening service west of Raritan. The first eastbound train will operate nearly an hour earlier than current service, and the last westbound train will operate about two hours later than it does today. New mid-day service between Raritan and High Bridge will give customers greater weekday travel flexibility.

¿This extended service will provide flexibility to existing and new customers who can rely on NJ TRANSIT for convenient early-morning, midday and after-work public transportation options,¿ said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles.

The extended eastbound service includes two trains operating in the morning peak period and two trains during midday hours. The extended westbound service includes two midday trains and two trains operating after the evening peak period. There is no weekend service west of Raritan Station.

¿We in Hunterdon County will benefit from the additional level of service that NJ TRANSIT will be providing,¿ said Hunterdon County Freeholder George D. Muller. ¿This helps Hunterdon residents make environmentally friendly travel decisions for work and recreation.¿

All extended trains will be renumbered into the 5700-series on new timetables, and existing 5700-series trains will have new departure times. Customers are encouraged to check timetables carefully for these changes and other minor schedule adjustments. Also, customers who have signed up for My Transit, NJ TRANSIT¿s system for sending up-to-the-minute travel information to cell phones and other electronic devices, are reminded to update their account preferences to reflect the new train numbers.

Eastbound (toward Newark Penn Station)

Westbound (toward High Bridge)

The 3,700-foot passing track, located in Readington Township just west of White House Station will be used to extend four eastbound and four westbound trains. The eastbound trains that had originated at Raritan Station will originate at High Bridge Station, while the westbound trains that had terminated at Raritan Station will continue to High Bridge.

New timetables will be available at stations, ticket offices, at customer service offices and online at www.njtransit.com in mid-October.

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing nearly 865,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 162 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.