NEWARK — As winter weather moves into the region, NJ TRANSIT operations, customer service and police personnel across the state are preparing to keep the system running smoothly and minimize delays.
To give customers additional travel options during expected winter weather conditions, NJ TRANSIT will offer full systemwide cross-honoring on Wednesday, January 28, 2009. Customers holding any NJ TRANSIT ticket or pass will be able to use it on any mode—rail, bus or light rail. For example, customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal will be able to use their bus tickets on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station.
NJ TRANSIT asks its customers to follow these winter travel tips:
• Before starting your trip, visit the Travel Alerts page at www.njtransit.com
• Allow extra time getting to and from your destination. Use extreme caution when walking on exposed sidewalks or station platforms and when boarding trains and buses.
• Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or NJ TRANSIT staff.
• Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.
NJ TRANSIT’s bus, rail and light rail departments have spent months preparing for winter weather, as follows:
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 2,000 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 500 tons of bulk salt on standby statewide, with each of its 16 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.
