Emergency Buses To Cross Hudson River As NJ TRANSIT Continues Post-Sandy Work
HOBOKEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- As NJ TRANSIT works on restoring rail and bus service to New York City in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, the Christie administration on Sunday approved an emergency bus plan to get people across the Hudson River starting Monday morning.
The emergency bus service will provide alternative transportation to NJ TRANSIT customers, taking them to ferry and light rail stations in Hoboken, Weehawken and Jersey City, N.J., and direct service to several boarding stations in Manhattan. The bus service will provide about 50 percent of the normal NJ TRANSIT rush hour service.
The busing plan is in effect until further notice, and will operate during the weekday rush period of 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free ferry service will also be available from Liberty State Park Marina to Battery Park, according to the governor's office.
NJ TRANSIT remains several weeks away from full restoration. Normally, 63 NJ TRANSIT trains come into Penn Station, but on Monday, the commuter line will only be able to operate 13 trains pending repairs that Amtrak needs to conduct.
In addition, limited Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service between Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen and the Hoboken Terminal will begin at 6 a.m. in 20-minute intervals, the governor's office said. Shuttle service will also be available between the Hoboken Terminal and Marin Boulevard in Jersey City.
Pickup and dropoff stations for emergency bus service in Lower Manhattan will be at:
• Greenwich Street between Battery Place and Morris Street;
• Trinity Place between Rector and Thames streets;
• Church Street between Warren and Chambers streets;
• Church Street between Reade and Duane streets.
The buses will operate to and from the following transportation hubs:
Bridgewater (Patriots Stadium)
• NJ TRANSIT to operate 15 buses from Patriots Stadium to Hoboken Terminal from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for light rail/ferry connections.
• NJ TRANSIT to operate 15 buses from Hoboken Terminal to Patriots Stadium from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Woodbridge (Woodbridge Center Mall)
• Academy Bus to operate 20 buses from Woodbridge Center Mall to Hoboken Terminal from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for light rail/ferry connections.
• Academy Bus to operate 20 buses from Hoboken Ferry Terminal to Woodbridge Center Mall from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wayne (Willowbrook Mall Annex)
• NJ TRANSIT to operate 16 buses from Willowbrook Mall to Weehawken/Port Imperial from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for light rail/ferry connections.
• NJ TRANSIT to operate 16 buses from Weehawken/Port Imperial to Willowbrook Mall from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Ramsey (Ramsey/Rt. 17 Station Park and Ride)
• Suburban Transit/Coach USA to operate 40 buses from Ramsey/Rt. 17 Station Park and Ride to Weehawken/Port Imperial from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. for light rail/ferry connections and Meadowland MetLife Stadium (Lots J & K).
• Suburban Transit/Coach USA to operate 40 buses from Weehawken/Port Imperial to Ramsey/Rt. 17 Station Park and Ride and to the Meadowlands MetLife Stadium from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Holmdel, Garden State Parkway Exit 116 (PNC Arts Center)
• Academy Bus to operate 130 buses from the PNC Arts Center from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. to:
--Lower Manhattan
--Port Authority Bus Terminal
--Newark Penn Station
--Academy Bus to operate 130 buses between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. from:
--Lower Manhattan
--Port Authority Bus Terminal
--Newark Penn Station
Elizabeth, Newark Liberty International Airport (Next to Dollar Rent-A-Car)
• Coach USA to operate 5 buses to Lower Manhattan from the adjacent lot of Newark Liberty's Dollar Rent-A-Car from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Coach USA to operate 5 buses from Lower Manhattan the adjacent lot of Newark Liberty's Dollar Rent-A-Car from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
•
Jersey City (Liberty State Park)
• Community/Coach USA to operate 5 buses from Liberty State Park to Lower Manhattan from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Community/Coach USA to operate 5 buses from Lower Manhattan to Liberty State Park from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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