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NJ TRANSIT NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT OFFERS TRAVEL TIPS FOR CUSTOMERS ATTENDING MACY'S 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS

Customers encouraged to plan ahead, arrive early and purchase round-trip tickets in advance

July 1, 2010
NJT-10-042

NEWARK, NJ — With tens of thousands of spectators expected to gather along the New Jersey Waterfront to view the annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks display over the Hudson River, NJ TRANSIT is offering travel tips to customers planning to attend the big show.

 

Fourth of July Fireworks Service Overview

 

New Jersey’s Hudson River Waterfront is accessible by NJ TRANSIT rail, bus and light rail service to Hoboken Terminal.  NJ TRANSIT operates six rail lines and four bus routes with direct service to Hoboken, as well as Hudson-Bergen Light Rail.  The four bus routes and other routes that serve the Hudson River Waterfront may experience delays and detours on July 4 as a result of traffic congestion. 

 

Rail Service

 

On July 4, the following rail lines will provide direct service to Hoboken:

  • Main Line
  • Bergen County Line
  • Pascack Valley Line
  • Port Jervis Line
  • Morris & Essex Lines
  • Montclair Line (from Bay Street Station and points east only)

On the Morris & Essex Lines, NJ TRANSIT will supplement existing weekend service with eight additional trains to and from Hoboken Terminal, including four trips between Dover and Hoboken, three trips between Summit and Hoboken, and an additional trip from Newark Broad Street to Hoboken.  Additional trains to Hoboken before the event will operate between approximately 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.  After the show, extra Morrs & Essex trains will depart Hoboken at 10:05 p.m., 10:40 p.m., 11:30 p.m. and 12:25 a.m.  Visit njtransit.com/fireworks for details.

 

All other rail lines will operate on a regular weekend schedule.

 

Customers traveling from New York City or stations along the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast or Raritan Valley lines can transfer at the Frank R. Lautenberg Station at Secaucus Junction to reach Hoboken Terminal or take PATH service to Hoboken from stations in New York, Newark, Harrison or Jersey City. 


Hudson-Bergen Light Rail connects the waterfront communities of Hudson County, including service to Hoboken Terminal and Liberty State Park.  On July 4, light rail service will operate on a regular weekend schedule (trains every 15 minutes) using two-car trains to provide additional seating capacity.  Light rail tickets can be purchased at Hoboken Terminal or any other light rail station.  Visit njtransit.com/fireworks for details.

 

Travel Advice for Customers

 

To help ensure a safe, enjoyable trip, NJ TRANSIT is offering the following travel tips:

 

  • Plan Ahead.  NJ TRANSIT rail and light rail service will operate on a weekend schedule.  Get your schedule information in advance from njtransit.com/fireworks.
  • Buy Roundtrip Tickets Before Starting Your Trip.  Remember, you’ll need a ticket to get home.  Avoid lines after the event by buying your return ticket in advance.  Use ticket vending machines at your boarding station.  A $5 surcharge applies to any rail ticket purchased aboard the train.  On light rail, you must activate your ticket by time-stamping it in an orange machine before boarding the train.  
  • Arrive Early.  You’re smart for taking public transportation, but many other people have the same great idea.  Plan to arrive on the Waterfront as early as possible, and consider staying around for a bit after the fireworks are over.  The busiest trains will be those immediately preceding and following the event.
  • Delays are possible.  Large crowds can sometimes have an impact on train operations.  Be courteous to your fellow riders by standing clear of the doors, moving all the way into the car, and making all seats available.
  • Know the Rules.  Due to crowding conditions, bicycles may not be brought aboard NJ TRANSIT trains on July 4.  As a reminder, smoking is not permitted aboard trains, in stations or on platforms.

 

Important Information for Bus Customers

 

On Sunday, July 4, between 4 p.m. and midnight, many streets along the Hudson Waterfront will be subject to closure and traffic congestion due to the Macy’s Fireworks Display over the Hudson River. 

 

  • NJ TRANSIT bus service along the Hudson Waterfront may be subject to detours and delays before, during and after the fireworks.
  • In most cases, buses will be detoured to roadways farther west from the Hudson River.  Bus stops near fireworks viewing areas may be inaccessible.   
  • Customers should allow extra travel time.  

 

Several bus routes may experience service impacts as follows: 

 

  • No. 84/86 Service Nungessers-Newport Mall:  Possible delays along the Bergenline Avenue and Park Avenue corridors.
  • No. 85 Mill Creek- Hoboken:  Delays expected between Paterson Plank Road, Observer Highway and Hoboken Terminal.
  • No. 80 Newark Ave (Exchange Place):  Possible delays and high ridership to/from Exchange Place.
  • No. 87 King Drive (Hoboken Terminal):  Possible delays and high ridership expected between Paterson Plank Road, Observer Highway and Hoboken Terminal.
  • No. 89 North Bergen-Hoboken:  Possible delays between Weehawken and Hoboken Terminal.  Detours possible in Hoboken.
  • No. 126 Hoboken-New York:  Possible delays between Port Authority Bus Terminal and Hoboken Terminal.  Detours possible in Hoboken.
  • No. 158 Fort Lee-New York:  Confirmed detours along River Road from Gorge Road in Edgewater to the Lincoln Tunnel.   Expect significant delays.
  • No. 159 Fort Lee-New York: Possible delays along the Bergenline Avenue and Park Avenue corridors.
  • No. 165 Westwood-New York:  Confirmed detours for Boulevard East from Nungessers to the Lincoln Tunnel.  No service along the entire length of Boulevard East.
  • No. 166 Dumont-New York:  Confirmed detours for Boulevard East from Nungessers to the Lincoln Tunnel.  No service along the entire length of Boulevard East.
  • No. 168 Paramus-New York: Confirmed detours for Boulevard East from Nungessers to the Lincoln Tunnel.  No service along the entire length of Boulevard East.
  • No. 181 Union City-G.W. Bridge:  Possible delays along Bergenline Avenue.
  • No. 188 River Road-G.W. Bridge:  Confirmed detours along River Road from Gorge Road in Edgewater to the Lincoln Tunnel.   Expect significant delays.

 

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