MYFOXNY.COM -
NJ Transit has a system-wide shutdown of all bus, rail, light rail and Access Link service.
The Atlantic City Rail Line suspended operations effective at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. On Monday afternoon the transit agency said that service would remain suspended on Tuesday because of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
"NJ TRANSIT's top priority is, has been and will continue to be the safety of our customers, our employees and the citizens of the Garden State", said NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman and New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner James Simpson. "This prudent and necessary action will enable NJ TRANSIT to further support our state's response to Hurricane Sandy; freeing up resources that may be needed to further facilitate hurricane relief."
The suspension of NJ TRANSIT service required 12 hours to complete. The process required the relocation and securing of buses, rail equipment and other NJ TRANSIT assets away from flood-prone areas.
During Hurricane Irene, NJ TRANSIT implemented a full-scale system shutdown spanning nearly 36 hours. This decision is credited with saving billions in NJ TRANSIT assets, which enabled NJ TRANSIT to restart service with all equipment available for use. Additionally, no customer or employee injuries were reported during this time.
Following the conclusion of the storm, NJ TRANSIT will assess the status of the system and test critical infrastructure before making any decisions regarding the potential resumption of service. Updates will be provided to customers and the public during this time.
On Saturday, Governor Christie announced system-wide cross-honoring of all rail, bus and light rail tickets starting Monday, 12:00 a.m. and continuing through Wednesday, 6 a.m. This remains in effect, and will allow customers holding NJ TRANSIT tickets to use alternate means of transportation to get to their final destination, such as PATH, PATCO and private bus carriers. Due to the duration of the storm and the potential impact to the NJ TRANSIT system, this timeframe could be extended if necessary.
For the latest travel information, customers should listen to broadcast traffic reports, visit njtransit.com or access NJ TRANSIT's Twitter feed at @NJ_TRANSIT. Additionally, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system (www.njtransit.com/mytransit), which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager. Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555.
NJ TRANSIT PREPARATIONS FOR HURRICANE SANDY
Rail and Light Rail Operations
- NJ TRANSIT's maintenance forces continue inspecting culverts, drainage pipes and rights-of-way to ensure they are clear of blockages that could exacerbate flooding and disrupt service.
- NJ TRANSIT rail and light rail crews and equipment are on standby to respond to downed trees, wires and flooding.
Bus and Access Link Operations
NJ TRANSIT Bus and Access Link maintenance and support staff will be on standby 24/7 to respond where needed.
Customer Service
- Customer Service Field Offices will extend their hours of operations if necessary.
- The Transit Information Office (TIC) - NJ TRANSIT's call center, is also prepared to extend its hours if necessary.
