NJ Transit to start restoring PTC-impacted services in Q2

New Jersey Transit late last week announced plans to begin restoring rail service that has been subject to temporary service adjustments — including shuttle buses instead of trains — in the second quarter, beginning with the Atlantic City Rail Line (ACRL) and Princeton Branch.

The agency continues to address a continuing shortage of locomotive engineers and tight equipment availability as positive train control (PTC) installations, maintenance inspections and testing continues, NJ Transit officials said in a press release. The ACRL closed in September 2018 for PTC implementation work.

The agency is focused on restoring "consistent, dependable service," said Executive Director Kevin Corbett.
 
"We recognize the impact that these service adjustments have had on our valued customers, particularly those who use our ACRL and Princeton services," he said. "I share our customers’ frustration and thank them for their continued patience during this time. While service reliability has improved since Jan. 1, that's no consolation when it's your train that is affected."
 
NJ Transit remains committed to reopening the ACRL as soon as possible, he said.  In recognition of the continued impact on the line's riders, the agency plans to extend the 25 percent discount on ACRL tickets and passes until service is restored.

New Jersey Assemblymen Vincent Mazzeo and John Armato had sent a letter to NJ Transit leaders Jan. 2 requesting that an official reopening date for the ARCL be set. Having no reopening date set as of that time was an unacceptable situation for commuters, “who've endured crowded daily bus rides and lengthy commutes for months on end," they wrote.

"We call on NJ Transit to not only announce a formal reopening date, but hold a true public information meeting in Atlantic County to make sure the new operating schedule is properly distributed to riders,” Mazzeo and Armato wrote.