NJ Transit starts discount for I-80 commuters amid sinkhole repairs. Here's what to know.
NJ Transit is offering a discount for commuters impacted by the I-80 sinkhole closures and detours in Wharton, New Jersey.
Starting Monday, customers do not need to purchase a fare when boarding trains at Hackettstown, Mount Olive, Netcong, Lake Hopatcong and Mount Arlington.
If customers need to transfer at Newark Broad Street Station or Summit Station to continue on to New York City's Penn Station, they should inform the train crew to receive a transfer ticket.
Customers will need to purchase a one-way ticket for their return trip.
"That is a great start. It's exciting to hear that at least there's some help," commuter Debra Santiford told CBS News New York early Monday morning in Mount Arlington. "I'm looking forward to trying it out and seeing how it works. If it does work, then great."
NJ Transit says the offer will remain in place until I-80 repairs are completed.
U.S. transportation secretary visits I-80 sinkhole
United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Gov. Phil Murphy on Saturday visited the site of the latest sinkhole that shut down part of I-80 westbound in Wharton, leaving a portion of the highway closed off in both directions.
This marks at least the third sinkhole on I-80 since last December.
Westbound lanes are expected to open up sometime next week, and the eastbound lanes could take up to eight weeks, but the situation is fluid.
"Safety, as the secretary said, is paramount," Murphy said.
The governor said construction on I-80 is costing more than $150,000 a day.
"This is a massive artery that can't be shut down," Duffy said. "When this shuts down, communities are shutting down, businesses are having incredible difficulty."
Duffy and Murphy stopped by one of those struggling businesses – Townsquare Diner.
"Very honored that they were able to stop by and speak to us and hear our concerns. You know, there's a lot of businesses in this area that are impacted, not just us," diner owner Peter Sedereas said.
Sedereas says he's feeling the heat.
"Now in March, we do see a decline of business, probably about 10 percent," he said. "I have 40 families that rely on me here."
Congressman Thomas Kean said he's working with the Small Business Administration to bring relief to businesses impacted by the closures.
"Hopefully there's some type of programs out there that will enable us to help keep our staff on and help us get through this time," Sedereas said.
