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NJ TRANSIT NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT PREPARES FOR SEASON'S FIRST MAJOR STORM, ANNOUNCES SYSTEMWIDE CROSS-HONORING

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December 26, 2010

NEWARK, NJ - As the season's first major winter storm moves into the region, NJ TRANSIT operations, customer service and police personnel are taking steps to minimize delays and ensure service reliability.

Depending on the impact of the storm, it may be necessary for NJ TRANSIT to modify service as conditions change. Customers are advised of the following:

  • To give customers additional travel options during the storm, NJ TRANSIT will offer full systemwide cross-honoring starting at noon today and continuing all day on Monday, December 27, enabling NJ TRANSIT customers 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. Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line instead at no additional charge.
  • While every effort will be made to continue operating service, customers may experience delays, detours and/or cancellations due to significant snowfall amounts and blizzard conditions. Customers are advised to plan accordingly. 

Travel Advice:

  • Before starting your trip, visit the Travel Alerts page at njtransit.com for up-to-the-minute service information. This information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 and from broadcast traffic reports.
  • Allow extra time getting to and from your destination. Use extreme caution when walking on exposed sidewalks, parking lots and station platforms, as well as when boarding trains and buses.
  • Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crewmembers or other NJ TRANSIT personnel.
  • Customers with web-enabled mobile devices can access real-time service information via the mobile version of njtransit.com. To access the site, simply enter njtransit.com on your your mobile device.


NJ TRANSIT Preparations for Winter Weather

Rail Operations

  • Hundreds of rail cars and locomotives have been "winterized," a process that includes checking onboard heating systems, ventilation, thermostats, weather stripping and electronic components, as well as changing locomotive filters and fuel from a summer blend to a winter blend.
  • NJ TRANSIT's preventative maintenance program also includes the inspection and winter maintenance of more than 750 switches and switch heaters, overhead wire systems, 12 moveable bridges and wayside power at storage yards and terminals.
  • Two jet-engine-powered snow blowers are available to remove ice and snow from tracks and critical switching areas. In addition, all locomotives are equipped with snowplows to clear snow from the rails.
  • NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations has 20,000 pounds of salt on hand with the ability to obtain an additional 100,000 pounds, if needed. 

Bus Operations

  • Bus maintenance personnel have checked the heating systems, engine fluids, tires, windshield wipers, doors and airbrake systems on NJ TRANSIT's 2,100 buses.
  • Bus snow-fighting equipment has been readied and ice/snow-inhibiting supplies have been restocked for winter to keep 52 bus loops, terminals and lots cleared throughout the state.
  • NJ TRANSIT Bus Operations has 600 tons of bulk salt on standby statewide, with each of its 15 garages stocked with bag salt.
  • Vendor contracts have been finalized to perform plowing of larger park/ride facilities. 

Light Rail Operations

  • Snowplows are ready to clear station platforms and park/ride lots.
  • All switch heaters have been tested.
  • Additional operations and maintenance employees have been placed on alert. 

Stations and Terminals

  • All rail stations equipped with heaters have been inspected to ensure that they are in proper working order.
  • All public address systems at rail stations and bus terminals have been inspected. 

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