NJ TRANSIT is restoring nearly 60 trains just in time for the summer season and increased ridership for customers returning to the office due to the continued economic reopening. New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti was joined at Long Branch station by Congressman Frank Pallone, state Senator Vin Gopal, NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett and Long Branch Mayor John Pallone to announce the milestone.

Beginning June 6^th, the changes include additional summer service on the North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL) Long Branch–Bay Head shuttle trains, as well as restoration of all weekend Gladstone Branch trains and the resumption of select weekday trains throughout the system.

The additional rail service between Long Branch and Bay Head expands upon the revitalization initiative started by the New Jersey Department of Transportation when it designated the area surrounding the Long Branch Station a Transit Village, as well as awarding additional state funding to restore and beautify Third Avenue through the streetscape project. The project aims to create an inviting and aesthetically pleasing Third Avenue that will promote economic growth by restoring sidewalks and curbs and adding safety improvements, resurfacing the pavement, adding ornamental pavers, and additional street lighting.

“The New Jersey Department of Transportation and NJ TRANSIT remain committed to maximizing Long Branch’s potential and spurring economic growth for the community by attracting businesses and residents with the Long Branch Train Station serving as the center of their transportation needs,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “We were pleased to provide the grant to help fund the beautification around Long Branch Station. The improvements around the station, along with the restoration of train service at Long Branch and throughout the rail system, should provide for an improved customer experience as the state continues to emerge from the pandemic and ridership returns.”

On weekend days, twelve North Jersey Coast Line trains will be added to provide shuttle service between Long Branch and Bay Head, operating on the weekends through September 11^th. This service was temporarily suspended last year due to COVID-19.

Restoration of weekend service on the Gladstone Branch will include the addition of 39 trains between Gladstone and Summit which has utilized substitute bus service since October 2018.

Weekday restorations include the following trains which were part of service reductions implemented in August 2020.  The following trains will be restored to the schedule:

• Northeast Corridor trains 3124 and 3725 between New Brunswick and PSNY
• Northeast Corridor trains 3834 and 3951 between Trenton and PSNY
• Raritan Valley Line trains 5420, 5444 and 5445 between Raritan and Newark
• Westbound morning NEC Train 3711 is extended from New Brunswick to Trenton, and renumbered as Train 3821, departing PSNY at 7:14 AM

To ensure seating capacity is best positioned where it can best service customers returning to a weekday commute and to try to prevent potential overcrowding, five trains on the Northeast Corridor and New Jersey Coast Line will be adjusted to better accommodate customers.

• On the NEC, existing local train 3828 will run express from Metropark to Newark Liberty Airport, and arrive PSNY at 8:53 a.m.
• On the NJCL, two trains that currently depart Long Branch 10 minutes apart and arrive PSNY after 10 a.m. will be rescheduled. Train 3232 will operate 40 minutes earlier to arrive at PSNY at 9:37 a.m. This eliminates a 56 minute gap in peak period service on the NJCL. Train 3232 is renumbered 3228.
• Trains 3506 and 3830 operate about 15 minutes earlier.
• Train 3720, a Metropark express that currently arrives at 9:57 a.m., will make additional local NEC stops and arrive about 10 minutes later.

-via Press Release