Politics & Government

NJ Transit Starts Free Bus/Ferry Service Friday

Montclair-Boonton Line commuters can connect to a free ferry service into Manhattan.

 

NJ Transit announced on Thursday an expanded plan to get commuters on suspended train lines into New York City.

Beginning on Friday, Nov. 9, there will be free weekday emergency shuttle bus and ferry services. 

Find out what's happening in Montclairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For commuters that ride the Montclair-Boonton Line, there will be a free shuttle bus between Bay Street, Glen Ridge and Bloomfield Avenue stations and Weehawken Ferry Terminal.

In addition there will be a free ferry service between Weehawken and Pier 79 at West 39th Street in Manhattan

Find out what's happening in Montclairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The bus shuttle and ferry services will operate weekdays between 6 and 10 a.m. inbound, and 4 to 8 p.m. outbound. Bus shuttles will operate on a load-and-go basis every 10 minutes.

Montclair Township has announced that commuters can park in the following locations to use the NJ Transit shuttle bus from Bay Street. 

  • Bay Street Parking Deck
  • Grant Street parking lot
  • Sherman Street parking lot

The fee to park in the above locations is $7 -- exact change is required. Pay at the Bay Street Parking Deck before boarding the NJ Transit shuttle.

Commuters can also pay by phone using the Park Mobile www.parkmobile.com app. Register your vehicle information in order to speed up your payment process.

 

Here is the complete release from the NJ Transit website:

Christie Administration Announces Additional Free Trans-Hudson Bus/Ferry Service

Expanded Plan Serves Morris & Essex, Monclair Boonton, Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Lines

Trenton, NJ – As NJ TRANSIT continues recovery operations from Hurricane Sandy and a significant nor’easter storm, the Christie Administration has announced plans to provide more free shuttle bus/ferry service for the Trans-Hudson commute.

On Friday, November 9, free weekday emergency shuttle bus/ferry service will operate from to/from the following locations: 

Morris & Essex Lines

  • Free express shuttle bus service between Morristown Station and Weehawken Ferry Terminal. Free ferry service between Weehawken and Pier 79 at West 39th Street in Manhattan (Midtown Manhattan).
  • Free shuttle bus service between Convent, Madison and Chatham stations and Liberty State Park (LSP). Free ferry service between LSP and Battery Park (Lower Manhattan).
  • Free shuttle bus service between Maplewood Station and LSP. Free ferry service between LSP and Battery Park (Lower Manhattan).

Montclair-Boonton Line

  • Free shuttle bus service between Bay Street, Glen Ridge and Bloomfield Avenue stations and Weehawken Ferry Terminal. Free ferry service between Weehawken and Pier 79 at West 39th Street in Manhattan (Midtown Manhattan).

 North Jersey Coast Line

  • Free shuttle bus service between Aberdeen-Matawan Station and LSP. Free ferry service between LSP and Battery Park (Lower Manhattan).

Northeast Corridor

  • Free shuttle bus service between Metropark Station and LSP. Free ferry service between LSP and Battery Park (Lower Manhattan).

These new bus shuttle/ferry services will operate weekdays between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. (inbound) and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (outbound). Bus shuttles will operate on a load and go basis every 10 minutes.

Please note that Weehawken ferries serve Midtown Manhattan while LSP ferries serve Lower Manhattan. Customers traveling to Weehawken will be given two free NY Waterway ferry tickets for use to/from New York. No tickets are required for the LSP Statue Cruises ferry service.

The additional emergency shuttle bus service compliments established emergency shuttle bus service already established at Ramsey Rt. 17, Meadowlands/MetLife Stadium Lots J & K, PNC Arts Center and Hudson-Bergen Liberty State Park Station. Please check njtransit.com for more information.

The region’s mass transit network suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Sandy late last month, and some additional damage in the November 7th nor’easter. As a result, NJ TRANSIT is in the process of rebuilding much of its rail and light rail network. These new bus/ferry services continue to supplement existing bus service, very limited rail service and other emergency bus and Trans-Hudson ferry services that have been implemented since the storm.

Customer Tips

The following tips are offered for customers traveling around the region:

  • Customers utilizing NJ TRANSIT rail or regular NJ TRANSIT bus service are encouraged to consider traveling during off-peak periods to avoid crowds and potential delays.
  • Customers can expect delays, detours and other challenges during the system restoration and recovery process. 
  • 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.
  • Automated service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here