What you need to know if there's a NJ Transit strike
NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- More than 4,000 workers have authorized a strike for 12:01 a.m. Sunday in what would create monumental gridlock in the already congested New York-New Jersey region and affect more than 100,000 rail riders.
The contingency plan would only accommodate about 40,000 seats.
CLICK HERE FOR CONTINUING UPDATES ON NJTRANSIT CONTRACT TALKS
Here's what you need to know if a strike or work stoppage shuts down New Jersey Transit this weekend.
Heather O'Rourke has a series of videos to help you get around depending where you live:
WATCH: If you live in North Jersey
WATCH: If you live in Central Jersey
WATCH: If you live in Rockland County
Regional Park-Ride Service
Park-ride service will operate on a first come, first served basis from five key regional park-ride lots, weekdays only, during four-hour AM inbound (6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) and four-hour PM outbound (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) peak periods.
No midday, evening, weekend or reverse commute service will operate on these park-ride routes.
Park-ride locations were selected based on their size/parking capacity, access to regional highways, and geographical distribution. Access to area PATH stations and ferry service also was analyzed to minimize congestion at Hudson River crossings.
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Enhanced NJ TRANSIT New York Bus Service
NJ TRANSIT will enhance peak period service on 29 existing New York bus routes in close proximity to rail stations. The routes are:
In addition, to accommodate Atlantic City Rail Line customers, NJ TRANSIT will enhance service on the 554 bus route, which operates between Atlantic City and Lindenwold. At Lindenwold, customers can connect with PATCO service to Philadelphia. PATCO will cross honor Atlantic City Rail Line tickets and passes to/from Philadelphia (8th & Market St. Station).
To lessen traffic congestion and delays at the Lincoln Tunnel and to take advantage of the proximity to connecting PATH and ferry service, NJ TRANSIT will make the following service adjustments in the event of a rail stoppage:
The 126 bus route in Hoboken will operate on a reverse routing on weekday mornings, beginning at Willow Avenue and 19th Street and operating south to Hoboken Terminal for cross honoring with PATH and ferry service. In the evening, the 126 bus route will operate from Hoboken Terminal back to Willow Avenue and 19th Street. Weekend service will operate on its regular route to/from New York.
You can search for bus service from your community by clicking here.
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Traffic and Road Conditions
Traffic conditions in and around New York City could be extremely congested if there is a strike. The map below shows the potential additional congested conditions (in yellow).
Here are some tips from NJTransit for getting around:
Rail Customers: Know your alternatives. Regularly check the website at njtransit.com/railstoppage.
Bus Customers: Expect extensive delays and severe overcrowding.
Car Drivers: Try to travel before 6 a.m. or after 10 a.m. Leave before 3 p.m. or after 8 p.m. Carpooling is strongly suggested. Get E-ZPass if you don't have one.
Truckers: Avoid Lincoln and Holland Tunnels. Consider diverting around the region.
Employers: Encourage flextime, staggered hours, and alternative work sites. Consider a 4-day work week and telecommuting
More tips -
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You can check traffic conditions anytime at abc7NY.com/traffic.
Stay with Eyewitness News on Channel 7 and abc7NY.com for continuing updates on this story.
