July 01, 2009 (rt23 news) - NEWARK, NJ — With tens of thousands of spectators from around the region expected to gather along the New Jersey waterfront on the Fourth of July for the Macy’s fireworks display, NJ TRANSIT is offering travel tips to customers planning to attend the big show.

To provide additional capacity for the event, NJ TRANSIT will supplement existing weekend service with 13 additional trains in and out of Hoboken Terminal on the Morris & Essex Lines, including eight trips between Gladstone and Hoboken and five trips between Summit and Hoboken. Service on other NJ TRANSIT lines will operate on a weekend schedule, with additional cars added to scheduled trains to provide more seats.

Three trains scheduled to depart Hoboken between 9-10 p.m. will depart approximately 30 minutes later than normal to better accommodate customers attending the fireworks display:

* Main Line train 1835, the scheduled 9:13 p.m. departure from Hoboken, will depart at 9:45 p.m.
* Bergen County/Port Jervis train 81, the scheduled 9:30 p.m. departure from Hoboken, will depart at 10:00 p.m.
* Pascack Valley Line train 2129, the scheduled 9:22 p.m. departure from Hoboken, will depart at 9:50 p.m.



In addition, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail—which services Hoboken Terminal, Liberty State Park and several stations along the Waterfront—will operate all two-car trains to provide double capacity. Light rail service will operate on a regular weekend schedule, with trains every 7-15 minutes.

Fourth of July Fireworks Service Overview

New Jersey’s Hudson River waterfront is accessible by rail service to Hoboken Terminal. The following rail lines will provide direct service to Hoboken on July 4:

* Main Line
* Bergen County Line
* Pascack Valley Line
* Port Jervis Line
* Morris & Essex Lines

Customers traveling from New York City or stations along the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast or Raritan Valley lines, can transfer at the Frank R. Lautenberg Station at Secaucus Junction to reach Hoboken Terminal or take PATH service from Newark Penn Station.

On July 4, there will be no service to/from Hoboken Terminal on the Montclair-Boonton Line.

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a regular weekend schedule (trains every 7-15 minutes) using all two-car trains to provide additional seating capacity. Light rail tickets can be purchased at Hoboken Terminal or any other light rail station.

NJ TRANSIT has issued the following travel advice to customers:

* Plan Ahead. NJ TRANSIT rail service will operate on a weekend schedule in/out of Hoboken Terminal with additional service on the Morris & Essex Lines. Get your schedule information in advance at njtransit.com, and be sure to allow plenty of extra travel time.
* Arrive Early. You’re smart for taking transit, but lots of other people have the same great idea. So, plan to arrive on the waterfront as early as possible, and consider staying around for a bit after the fireworks are over. The busiest trains will be those immediately preceding and following the event.
* Delays are possible. Large crowds often have an impact on transit operations. Be courteous to your fellow riders by standing clear of the doors, moving all the way into the car, and making all seats available.
* Buy Roundtrip Tickets Before Starting Your Trip. You’ll need a ticket to get home. So will everyone else. Avoid lines after the event by buying your return ticket in advance. Use ticket vending machines at your boarding station.
* Know the Rules. Due to crowding conditions, bicycles may not be brought aboard NJ TRANSIT trains on July 4. As a reminder, smoking is not permitted aboard trains, in stations or on platforms.

For complete July 4 service information, visit www.njtransit.com/fireworks.

NJ TRANSIT is the nation’s largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 164 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.