Skip to main content

NJ TRANSIT NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT ANNOUNCES RESTORATION OF MORRIS & ESSEX LINES AND MONTCLAIR-BOONTON LINE SERVICE FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Customers advised to expect possible delays and allow extra travel time; systemwide cross honoring remains in effect

October 31, 2011
NJT-11-077

NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT will restore rail service on the Morris & Essex Lines, including the Gladstone Branch, and Montclair-Boonton Line tomorrow morning, November 1, following a complete service suspension that began on Saturday afternoon due to downed trees and overhead wire damage caused by this weekend’s storm. 

 

Customers are advised to expect possible minor delays of up to 10 minutes during the morning and evening peak periods, and delays of up to 20 minutes during off-peak hours as crews continue to work this week to fully restore all of the power and signal infrastructure. 

 

“After a site visit to inspect one of the most severely damaged areas, I’m pleased to report that NJ TRANSIT has made significant progress in clearing major obstructions from the railroad and restoring electric and signal power to portions of the affected lines,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman James Simpson.  “NJ TRANSIT has deployed every available electrical-traction worker, as well as all available tree-cutting crews to safely and quickly complete this painstaking work to get trains up and running again.”

 

The autumn snowstorm that impacted the region starting on Saturday, October 29, had a crippling effect on the Morris & Essex Lines, including the Gladstone Branch, and the Montclair-Boonton Line, which were suspended at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday to allow crews to remove more than 100 trees and repair overhead wire damage at numerous locations along 50 miles of track along the railroad.

 

An aerial inspection was made of the lines, which revealed the extensive damage caused by heavy, wet snow and strong winds that brought down trees and overhead wires.  Crews have been out in force since the storm began, working around the clock to make the necessary repairs to ensure that full service is restored as quickly as possible. 

 

With the restoration of rail service on November 1, NJ TRANSIT is advising customers of the following:  

 

  • Morris & Essex Lines, including the Gladstone Branch, and Montclair-Boonton Line trains may be subject to delays of up to 10 minutes during the morning and evening peak periods.
  • From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (off-peak hours), trains may operate with delays of up to 20 minutes this week, as crews continue to work to fully restore all of the power and signal infrastructure. 
  • Visit njtransit.com for the latest service information before starting your trip.

To give customers alternate travel options, NJ TRANSIT is offering systemwide cross honoring for the entire service day tomorrow, November 1, enabling customers to use their existing ticket or pass on any travel mode—rail, bus or light rail, as well as on PATH trains and private carrier buses.

 

Customers are reminded to visit njtransit.com prior to starting their trip for the latest travel information.  In the event of delays or service updates, 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, we encourage you to sign up at www.njtransit.com.)  Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.  

 

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 164 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.