NJ Transit issues advisories for Wednesday travel

NEWARK -- Commuters braving Wednesday's expected winter storm will be able to us their NJ Transit tickets or passes system-wide-- on rail, light rail, bus (including private carriers), officials announced Tuesday.“This is the busiest travel day of the year for us," said Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim, the transit system's executive directory. "We strongly recommend that our customers travel early and take advantage of our systemwide cross-honoring to facilitate safe travel during the storm and Thanksgiving getaway period.”

• Trains will operate on a weekday schedule on all lines with additional “early getaway” service from New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal starting at 1 p.m. on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines.

• Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River Line Light Rail service will operate on a weekday schedule.

• Bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com for schedule information.  Selected routes will operate on special holiday schedules to match service with ridership demand, including early getaway service from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and on the No. 64 and 68 bus routes from the Hudson River waterfront between noon and 4:30 p.m. to accommodate the heaviest travel, with less frequent service during the peak periods and later in the evening due to lower ridership.  Special holiday timetables are available on njtransit.com.

Hakim also recommended advance purchase of round-trip tickets, "to avoid long-lines” and to check the NJ Transit website for the latest service updates. Activity at New York Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal and Port Authority Bus terminal will be "closely monitored," according to an advisory, to determine whether "adjustments to service" are needed.

Additionally, crews are being put on standby to react to any downed trees, power outages or other disruptions and locomotives are being positioned across the system for rapid response if any trains are disabled by Wednesday's weather.

NJ Transit also issued these travel tips:

• Check Schedules in Advance:  Additional service will be provided on Wednesday. Plan your trip online to take advantage of extra trains and buses.
• Allow Extra Travel Time:  Traffic congestion during the holidays may affect bus travel times to and from New York City, so customers should plan accordingly.
• Ticketing:  Purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip to speed your return.  Use ticket vending machines or see a ticket agent, if available, to avoid possible surcharges.  Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal are reminded that tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus.
• Luggage: Travel as light as possible.  Passengers with luggage or packages should use the overhead racks or designated luggage spaces.  On multilevel trains, customers with large bags should use the mezzanine levels at the ends of each car.
• Weather-Related Travel Information: Available at njtransit.com or via the system's Twitter feed at @NJTRANSIT.  Service information is also available by phone at (973) 275-5555 .