NJ TRANSIT RECOGNIZES NATIONAL "DUMP THE PUMP" DAY |
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NJ Transit
Source: PressReleasePoint.com
19 June 2008
Commuter guide offers transit tips for current and new riders
NJT-08-048
NEWARK, NJ - NJ TRANSIT is joining public transportation agencies from coast to coast today to recognize the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) third annual national "Dump the Pump" day - a day designed to raise awareness that using public transportation helps save fuel - and the planet!
"Using mass transit is a great way to protect your wallet and the environment," said Governor Jon S. Corzine. "I encourage all citizens who haven't considered using mass transit to give it a second thought today."
In honor of "Dump the Pump" day, NJ TRANSIT is thanking its current customers who have already made the choice to ride public transportation by distributing a brochure with transit tips for both new and current commuters, as well as offering a sweepstakes contest with the chance to win "Staycation" packages to New Jersey destinations.
"By choosing public transportation as their mode of travel, NJ TRANSIT customers are helping to conserve gasoline, ease congestion on the region's roadways and reduce greenhouse gases," said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Kris Kolluri. "In addition to these broader benefits, transit riders have a personal gain in that they are beating the high price of gasoline."
"More first-time transit users are following our existing customers' lead and making the switch to public transportation due to higher gas prices," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles. "In light of the fact that capacity during peak periods is limited, we have developed a guide that will offer tips for a better trip onboard our trains, buses and light rail vehicles as we work to accommodate new ridership demand."
Transit tips for new and current commuters
With more riders than ever relying on NJ TRANSIT for their daily transportation needs, the system's trains, buses and light rail vehicles are experiencing record ridership. To help customers have a better trip, NJ TRANSIT has developed a "Dump the Pump" guide containing transit tips for new and current commuters, from the best times to ride to locations with available parking to money saving ticket options.
For example, the morning and afternoon "peak periods" see the heaviest travel - roughly from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. each weekday. Customers with more flexible schedules are strongly recommended to travel before or after peak times. When riding NJ TRANSIT trains outside of peak periods, customers can save up to 15 percent off the cost of two regular one-way tickets by purchasing an Off-Peak Round-Trip (ORT) ticket. For more information about NJ TRANSIT fare options, including money-saving monthly and weekly passes, click here.
With gas prices on the rise and parking availability limited, the "Dump the Pump" guide also highlights alternatives to driving alone and other ways to access public transportation, such as NJ TRANSIT's Zipcar car-sharing pilot program currently available at five locations, as well as ride-matching programs for carpools and vanpools offered through NJDOT and the state's Transportation Management Associations. Also highlighted are details about NJ TRANSIT's Bike Program, which provides free bicycle parking at most rail, HBLR and River LINE stations, as well as at several bus park/ride lots and bus terminals
NJ TRANSIT's "Dump the Pump" guide is being distributed today onboard trains, buses and light rail vehicles systemwide, as well as at key transportation hubs - the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Newark Penn Station, New York Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal and Trenton Transit Center. In addition, at these locations customers can enter a sweepstakes to win a "Staycation" gift pack including tickets to an assortment of New Jersey attractions. To view the brochure, click here.
Did you know?
Easing the capacity crunch
NJ TRANSIT is currently in its fifth consecutive year of record-high ridership. With more first-time transit users making the switch due to higher gas prices, NJ TRANSIT is working to ease the capacity crunch to the extent possible, in light of the fact that capacity during peak periods is limited.
In the near term, the order of 279 new multilevel vehicles is enabling NJ TRANSIT to accommodate higher ridership as the cars are delivered. Currently, more than 130 multilevel rail cars are in service on the most heavily traveled lines - the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast and MidTOWN DIRECT lines - offering 15-20 percent more seating capacity than the latest generation of single-level cars.
In addition, as multilevel cars are deployed, it allows for the redeployment of single level cars to other rail lines. NJ TRANSIT also routinely makes schedule adjustments to address capacity where possible across the rail, bus and light rail system.
To address the need for a long-term solution to the limits of existing infrastructure, NJ TRANSIT is advancing the Access to the Region's Core (ARC) project, with construction of a new trans-Hudson commuter rail tunnel as the centerpiece.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing nearly 865,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 164 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.