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NJ TRANSIT NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT MOBILIZING FOR WINTER STORM

Cross-honoring in effect all day Saturday

January 21, 2005 4:20 p.m.
NJT-05-015

NEWARK, NJ ¿ NJ TRANSIT¿s bus, rail and light rail departments are mobilizing in advance of this weekend¿s expected winter storm.

The Corporation announced this afternoon that NJ TRANSIT tickets and passes would be cross-honored on trains, buses and light rail systems, giving customers the flexibility to use a different mode of travel in winter weather conditions.

Extra rail and bus personnel will be on duty during the storm, and dozens of additional customer service and Emergency Response Team (ERT) personnel have been placed on standby to assist customers in the event of any unexpected weather-related issues.

On the railroad, all switch heaters, which prevent snow and ice from building up at key points where trains move from one track to another, will be activated Saturday morning. In addition, backup locomotives will be positioned at strategic locations along the railroad to assist any train that experiences mechanical problems.

All locomotives are equipped with snowplows to clear snow from the tracks, and NJ TRANSIT is equipped with two jet-engine snow blowers that are used to remove ice and snow from tracks and critical switching areas.

In advance of this weekend¿s storm, rail crews will have inspected and winterized more than 750 switches and switch heaters, 964 passenger coaches, 140 locomotives and 12 moveable bridges. Overhead power systems and signals have also been inspected and tested. Crews have checked heating systems, ventilation, thermostats, weather stripping and electronic components, as well as changed filters and fuel used in locomotives from a summer to a winter blend.

NJ TRANSIT Rail has 20,000 pounds of salt on hand with the ability to obtain an additional 100,000 pounds, if needed.

Meanwhile, bus maintenance personnel have been checking heating systems, engine fluids, tires, windshield wipers, doors and airbrake systems on NJ TRANSIT's 1,900 buses. Snow fighting equipment has been readied and ice/snow-inhibiting supplies have been restocked for winter to keep NJ TRANSIT¿s 52 bus loops, terminals and lots cleared throughout the state. NJ TRANSIT Bus Operations has 500 tons of bulk salt available throughout the state.

On NJ TRANSIT¿s three light rail systems¿the Newark City Subway, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and the River LINE¿crews are readying snowplows to clear station platforms and testing switch heaters. Additional operations and maintenance employees have been placed on alert.

Customer advice

  • Customers are advised to listen to broadcast traffic reports before leaving home or the office to determine if there is a delay affecting their trip. Customers may also obtain up-to-the-minute system information online at www.njtransit.com.


  • Customers are strongly encouraged to give themselves plenty of extra time to get to the station. Use extreme caution when walking on exposed sidewalks and station platforms and when boarding trains and buses.
  • Some bus routes that travel over hilly terrain are particularly susceptible to delays, including bus routes 5, 11, 13, 27, 37, 39, 70, 71, 73, 107, 127, 156, 158, 159, 167, 197 and 704.
  • Customers on the 196/197 bus line are advised to call (201) 612-1162 for information on winter weather contingency plans.
  • For assistance, customers may call NJ TRANSIT at 1-800-772-2222.