NJ Transit Continues to Advance Positive Train Control Program

NJ Transit continues the installation of Positive Train Control equipment on its rail fleet throughout the state. To accommodate this critical safety upgrade, all service on the Atlantic City Rail Line (ACRL) will be temporarily suspended beginning Wednesday September 5th, and off-peak one-seat Raritan Valley Line (RVL) service, will temporarily originate/terminate at Newark Penn Station beginning Monday September 10^th.  It is anticipated that these services will resume in early 2019.  Throughout this time period, ACRL customers will have alternate travel options with a 25% discount on all fares.  This temporary suspension is required for PTC installation to continue on rail cars and on the railroad right-of-way.

“We regret the inconvenience this will cause our customers on the RVL and ACRL.  That’s why we’ve maintained the same level of RVL service to/from Penn Station New York with connections at Newark Penn, and are offering a range of options with discounted fares to continue meeting the travel needs of our ACRL customers,’’ said Executive Director Kevin Corbett.  “We have made substantial progress on our PTC project and we're continuing to ramp up installation.  As we push to complete PTC installation, I ask for customers’ patience during this process as the end result is a safer railroad for everyone.” 

During the Atlantic City Rail Line temporary suspension, customers will have the following travel options.

Atlantic City Rail Line (ACRL)

Important Safety Reminder:  During the temporary suspension of the ACRL, non-revenue trains, freight trains and other equipment will still be moving along the tracks.  NJ Transit reminds everyone to stay off the railroad tracks, obey all safety signals and never go around a downed crossing gate.

• All ACRL rail tickets and passes will be discounted 25 percent.

The following alternate transportation options are available:

• NJ Transit Bus Route No. 340 Lindenwold Atlantic City Express Shuttle - This shuttle will operate as an express route between Atlantic City Bus Terminal and Lindenwold PATCO, making stops only at the Absecon and Egg Harbor City rail stations. Service will operate daily, throughout the day, at a similar frequency to the ACRL.
• NJ Transit Bus Route No. 340 Cherry Hill - Pennsauken - WRTC Shuttle - This route will operate as an express route, connecting the Cherry Hill Station with Pennsauken Transit Center and the Walter Rand Transportation Center (WRTC) in Camden. At WRTC, cross-honoring will be in effect with PATCO (for travel to 8th/Market Station), with NJT buses to Center City Philadelphia, and with the No. 551 express bus to Atlantic City. Service will operate daily, throughout the day, at a similar frequency to the ACRL. This shuttle service ends at midnight daily.
• NJ Transit Bus Route No. 417 Pennsauken Transit Center - 30th St. Station Philadelphia - This route will cross-honor rail tickets and passes with an origin or destination of Philadelphia. Customers must have a rail ticket or pass with a Philadelphia origin or destination for travel on this route at no additional charge.
• NJ Transit Bus Route No. 555 Avandale Park-Ride - 30th St. Station Philadelphia - This route will cross-honor rail tickets and passes with an origin or destination of Philadelphia. Customers must have a rail ticket or pass with a Philadelphia origin or destination for travel on this route at no additional charge.
• NJ Transit Bus Route No. 551 Express - This route will cross-honor rail tickets with an origin or destination of Atlantic City or Philadelphia and will be accepted at Atlantic City Bus Terminal (AC Bus Terminal), Avandale Park-Ride (Sicklerville), Walter Rand Transportation Center (WRTC), Camden and Greyhound Bus Terminal (10th and Filbert streets, Philadelphia).
• NJ Transit Bus Route No. 554 - The No. 554 will cross-honor all rail tickets and passes and provide hourly service to/from all rail stations between Atlantic City and Lindenwold.
• All NJT bus routes serving Center City Philadelphia from Walter Rand Transportation Center (WRTC) in Camden - These routes will cross-honor rail tickets and passes with an origin or destination of Philadelphia. Customers must have a rail ticket or pass with a Philadelphia origin or destination for travel on these routes at no additional charge.
• PATCO (Lindenwold, Walter Rand Transportation Center (WRTC) in Camden and 8th St./Market St. ONLY) - PATCO will cross-honor rail tickets and passes with an origin or destination of Philadelphia at Lindenwold, WRTC in Camden and 8th St./Market St. in Philadelphia for service to/from Philadelphia. Customers must have a rail ticket or pass with a Philadelphia origin or destination for travel on PATCO at no additional charge. Customers should retain their rail tickets and passes for cross honoring on PATCO.
• River LINE - Tickets with an origin or destination of Philadelphia will be accepted for travel between any two stations on the River LINE

Important Notes:

• Customers should continue to purchase their rail tickets & passes as they do today to take advantage of the 25% discount and the available cross-honoring options with PATCO and NJT bus. Rail ticket vending machines will continue to be available at all ACRL stations.
• The Atlantic City Rail Terminal will remain open during this time and customers will still be able to utilize parking there.
• The 340 Express Shuttle to Lindenwold, the 551 Express to Philadelphia and the 554 local bus making all rail station stops to Lindenwold will arrive and depart from the Atlantic City Bus Terminal
• A special Jitney shuttle will be established to connect to the AC Rail Terminal with the AC Bus Terminal for those who cannot or do not wish to walk the short distance between the parking at the AC Convention Center/Rail Terminal and the Bus Terminal.
• ACRL customers utilizing PATCO to/from Philadelphia will not have service to/from 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. Customers will board/exit PATCO at the 8th St./Market St. Station in Philadelphia.
• Atlantic City casino jitney bus service will not operate to/from the Atlantic City Rail Terminal. This service will relocate to/from the Atlantic City Bus Terminal.
• Temporary Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) will be available at the PATCO 8th St./Market St. Station to purchase NJ TRANSIT rail tickets to be cross honored on PATCO.
• Rail tickets will be sold at TVMs at the Atlantic City Bus Terminal and Greyhound Bus Terminal located at 10th and Filbert streets in Philadelphia.

Raritan Valley Line

• Off-peak, one-seat rides on the RVL to Penn Station New York will temporarily originate/terminate at Newark Penn Station beginning Monday September 10^th.

• It is important to note that RVL customers will be receiving the same level of service into Penn Station New York, but they will be required to transfer to a New York-bound train at Newark Penn Station.