Free Emergency NJ TRANSIT Shuttle Bus and Ferry Service Ends Wednesday

The following is a message from NJ TRANSIT: 

With NJ TRANSIT service levels nearly back to normal on most lines thanks to ongoing storm recovery efforts, the agency is discontinuing its free emergency shuttle bus/ferry service program effective 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21, with the exception of Gladstone Branch shuttle-to-train service.

NJ TRANSIT will continue to offer free emergency shuttle bus-to-rail service to provide alternate travel options for customers along the Gladstone Branch of the Morris & Essex Lines.  The Gladstone Branch remains suspended until further notice due to storm damage.  Shuttle bus service will not operate on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, and Friday, November 23.

Effective 8 p.m., Wednesday, November 21, the following shuttle bus/ferry services will no longer operate due to reduced customer demand:

Holmdel, Garden State Parkway Exit 116 (PNC Arts Center)

• Discontinued:  Free bus service between the PNC Arts Center and Port Authority Bus Terminal, Lower Manhattan and Newark Penn Station.  

Morris & Essex Lines

• Discontinued:  Free shuttle bus service between Convent, Madison and Chatham stations and Liberty State Park (LSP). 
• Discontinued:  Free shuttle bus service (Gladstone Branch “Route C”) between Summit and Liberty State Park (LSP).

Ramsey (Ramsey/Rt. 17 Station) 

• Discontinued:  Free shuttle bus service between Ramsey/Rt. 17 Station and Port Imperial Ferry Terminal (Weehawken).
• Customers may wish to take the train to Hoboken Terminal, where they can use the NY Waterway ferry service to Pier 79 (39th Street in Midtown Manhattan) free of charge.  The ferry service is owned by BillyBey.

Weehawken (Port Imperial Ferry Terminal)

• Discontinued:  Free ferry service between Port Imperial Ferry Terminal (Weehawken) and Pier 79 (39th Street in Midtown Manhattan).

Jersey City (HBLR's Liberty State Park Station)

• Discontinued:  Free shuttle bus service between Hudson Bergen Light Rail's Liberty State Park Station and Statue Cruise Lines Ferry Service to Battery Park.

Jersey City (Liberty State Park to Statue Cruise Lines Ferry Service)

• Discontinued:  Free ferry service from Liberty State Park to Battery Park via Statue Cruise Lines.

 Hoboken Terminal to Midtown Manhattan – will operate Nov. 26, 27 & 28

• NJ TRANSIT’s ferry service with BillyBey Ferry, which operates ferry service from Hoboken under the NY Waterway umbrella, will continue to operate discounted, round trip service from Hoboken Terminal to Pier 79 on West 39th Street in Midtown Manhattan.  NJ TRANSIT’s weekly, 10-trip and monthly passes will be cross honored. 
• Customers using this service can also access free NY Waterway shuttle buses for further travel within Manhattan.  Stops are offered along 57th Street, 49th Street, 42nd Street, and 34th Street, as well as through a special Downtown loop.  Visit nywaterway.com for details.
• This ferry service does not normally operate between Hoboken Terminal and 39th Street in Manhattan. Customers wishing to access this new ferry service can purchase round-trip fare for $10. A special ticket booth at Hoboken Terminal has been established for customers starting on Monday.

Gladstone Branch Shuttle Bus to Train Service Continues

Selected Gladstone Branch stations will continue to be served by two bus routes that will provide service to and from Summit Station, where customers will be able to connect with the following travel options:

• Rail service to New York Penn Station via Midtown Direct
• Rail service to Hoboken Terminal
• Lakeland bus service to Port Authority Bus Terminal

Free shuttle bus service (“Routes A and B”) will operate to meet Midtown Direct trains and selected Hoboken-bound trains departing Summit on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and returning to Summit for trains departing New York/Hoboken from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.  The connecting shuttle bus (“Route C”) to ferry service at Liberty State Park will no longer operate after the last trip on Wednesday. 

The shuttle buses will serve Gladstone Branch stations along two routes (visit njtransit.com for detailed schedules). 

The “Route A” shuttle bus to/from Summit Station will board customers from the following locations:

• Gladstone –  in the parking lot at the station
• Peapack – on Main Street at Holland Avenue
• Far Hills – at the station building in the parking lot
• Millington – on Division Avenue at River Road
• Gillette – on Mountain Avenue at the station parking lot entrance
• Murray Hill – on Floral Avenue at the station parking lot exit
• Note:  Standard parking rules and fees are in effect at all rail station parking lots.

The “Route B” shuttle bus to/from Summit Station will board customers from the following locations:

• Bernardsville – in the parking lot at the station
• Basking Ridge – on North Finely Avenue at Ridge Street
• Lyons – on South Finely Avenue at Cross Road
• Berkeley Heights – at the station building on Sherman Avenue
• New Providence – on Springfield Avenue at Old Springfield Avenue
• Note:  Standard parking rules and fees are in effect at all rail station parking lots.

Additional Customer Tips

• 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.
• Delays, detours, crowding and other challenges can continue to be expected by customers during system restoration and recovery.
• 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 or Facebook page.
• Additionally, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system, 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.