In order to accommodate commuters who are traveling to Newport for PATH service, Mayor Zimmer asked NJ Transit to offer free light rail service between Hoboken and Newport until PATH service is restored to Hoboken, and NJ Transit has agreed to cross-honor PATH tickets effective Monday, December 3, 2012.
"NJ Transit has been working tirelessly under very difficult conditions to restore normalcy to our transportation system," said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. "I am so thankful that they have agreed to cross-honor PATH tickets on their light rail service between Hoboken and Newport in order to make commutes a little bit easier during this difficult time."
Commuters can take the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail from 9th Street, 2nd Street and Hoboken Terminal directly to Newport. Until PATH service is restored to Hoboken, PATH tickets will be cross-honored between these stations.
In addition, since many commuters are bicycling to Newport, there has been an increase in demand for bicycle parking at Newport, which Mayor Zimmer has also requested.
"I appreciate Mayor Healy and Jamie LeFrak's willingness to work with us to provide additional temporary bicycle parking at Newport," added Mayor Zimmer. "The Port Authority has also been accommodating of the large increase in bicyclists."
NJ Transit will continue operating the subsidized ($10 round trip) ferry service between Hoboken Terminal and Pier 79 at 39th Street in Midtown Manhattan until PATH service is restored to Hoboken. The service operates Monday through Friday, 6am-10am and 4pm-8pm.
NJ Transit has added 200 extra bus trips per day on the 126 bus line to accommodate an increase in ridership from 4,000 daily customers to more than 9,000 customers. They continue to work with the Zimmer Administration to make adjustments to service based on rider feedback, including running empty express buses to begin pickup mid-route.
As a result of construction work by Spectra Energy on the Newport waterfront, the waterfront walkway between Hoboken and Jersey City will be closed from Friday 8pm until Monday 5am. Free 24 hour shuttle service will be provided every 20 minutes while the walkway is closed. The shuttle will stop at Hoboken Terminal, 14th Street & Washington Boulevard in Jersey City, and Newport PATH.
The Port Authority has hundreds of employees working to restore PATH service following nearly $300 million in damage to the PATH system.
"We recognize the Port Authority faced a historic level of damage and they are working around the clock to restore PATH service as quickly as possible," added Mayor Zimmer. "I know their employees worked during Thanksgiving to make repairs, and we appreciate their dedication and sacrifice."