Service to Morris, Essex Lines to be Restored Tuesday

NJ TRANSIT will restore rail service on the Morris & Essex Lines, including the Gladstone Branch, and Montclair-Boonton Line Tuesday morning following a complete service suspension that began on Saturday afternoon due to downed trees and overhead wire damage caused by this weekend’s storm. 

Customers are advised to expect possible minor delays of up to 10 minutes during the morning and evening peak periods, and delays of up to 20 minutes during off-peak hours as crews continue to work this week to fully restore all of the power and signal infrastructure. 

“After a site visit to inspect one of the most severely damaged areas, I’m pleased to report that NJ TRANSIT has made significant progress in clearing major obstructions from the railroad and restoring electric and signal power to portions of the affected lines,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman James Simpson.  “NJ TRANSIT has deployed every available electrical-traction worker, as well as all available tree-cutting crews to safely and quickly complete this painstaking work to get trains up and running again.”

According to NJ Transit, the autumn snowstorm that impacted the region starting on Saturday had a crippling effect on the Morris & Essex Lines, including the Gladstone Branch and the Montclair-Boonton Line, which were suspended Saturday at 1:30 p.m. to allow crews to remove more than 100 trees and repair overhead wire damage at numerous locations along 50 miles of track along the railroad.

An aerial inspection was made of the lines, which revealed the extensive damage caused by heavy, wet snow and strong winds that brought down trees and overhead wires.  Crews have been out in force since the storm began, working around the clock to make the necessary repairs to ensure that full service is restored as quickly as possible. 

With the restoration of rail service on Tuesday, NJ TRANSIT is advising customers of the following:  

• Morris & Essex Lines, including the Gladstone Branch, and Montclair-Boonton Line trains may be subject to delays of up to 10 minutes during the morning and evening peak periods.
• From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (off-peak hours), trains may operate with delays of up to 20 minutes this week, as crews continue to work to fully restore all of the power and signal infrastructure. 
• Visit njtransit.com for the latest service information before starting your trip.

To give customers alternate travel options, NJ TRANSIT is offering systemwide cross honoring for the entire service day tomorrow, November 1, enabling customers to use their existing ticket or pass on any travel mode—rail, bus or light rail, as well as on PATH trains and private carrier buses.

Customers are reminded to visit njtransit.com prior to starting their trip for the latest travel information.  In the event of delays or service updates, 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. (You can subscribe to My Transit at www.njtransit.com.)  Service information is also available by calling 973-275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.