NJ Transit restores electric-powered train service out of Hoboken

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

Marking the end of post-Sandy interim rail schedules and reflecting improvements made possible by the restoration of a key power substation, New Jersey Transit's electric-powered trains will resume service to Hoboken Terminal starting Sunday, March 24.

“This marks significant progress in post-Sandy recovery,” said NJ Transit Executive Director James Weinstein. “Starting March 24, we will be adding 21 additional trains to the current schedules, which will restore nearly all rush hour service to Hoboken and result in the long-awaited return of standard one-seat service to Hoboken for Gladstone customers.”

NJ Transit will operate the additional trains on the Morris & Essex, Montclair-Boonton, and Main/Bergen County lines. In addition, NJ Transit will restore 19 trains that have been operating partial length trips to their complete trips.

Systemwide, NJ Transit’s rail division will reach 97 percent of its pre-Sandy service level with the March 24 schedule change, operating 679 of the 700 weekday trains scheduled prior to the storm, compared to the 658 trains operating today. Weekend service was restored to near pre-storm levels as of Dec. 3, 2012.

With no electric power available, diesel-powered trains have been substituted for electric-powered trains into and out of Hoboken, particularly along the Gladstone Branch of the Morris & Essex Lines. Approximately 24 electric-powered trains that operated along the Gladstone Branch pre-Sandy have been replaced by diesel-powered trains.

Starting March 24, electric trains will be restored to the affected lines to coincide with NJ Transit’s restoration of electric power to Hoboken Terminal.

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