NJ Transit's AC Line To Open 2 Weeks Early: Gov. Murphy

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — New Jersey Transit will reopen the Atlantic City Rail line two weeks early than expected with additional lines, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Tuesday. The rail line will reopen May 12, instead of May 24 as previously announced, Murphy said.

Two more trains from Atlantic City will arrive in Philadelphia before noon, Murphy said. He said it was important for the line to reopen well ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

"This will ensure that our residents can get to work or to school with less stress and less inconvenience," Murphy said.

Full schedule for the Atlantic City Rail Line:

• Weekdays: HERE
• Weekends: HERE

The line has been closed since September, with NJ Transit providing bus service instead between Atlantic City and Philadelphia. NJ Transit officials said in December that they had met a milestone for the installation of federally mandated safety mechanisms.

NJ Transit Executive Director Kevin Corbett had said the Atlantic City Rail Line will be opened by June, with a specific date set to be announced in three weeks, according to The Press of Atlantic City. However, Murphy said in February he wants an answer this week.

Congressman Jeff Van Drew said he's pleased to hear the rail line will open earlier than expected with additional lines.

"I plan to have further conversations about upgrading in the future with possible express trains and an increased number of trains beyond what has been already done," Van Drew said in a statement. "Commuters, workers, businesses and local economies have all suffered due to the extended closure of the AC Rail Line and I will continue to be vigilant ensuring this never happens again."

The closure resulted in calls from public officials and affected residents to reopen the line. The Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously passed a resolution in February calling for NJ Transit to reopen the rail line.

"The Atlantic City Rail Line is the primary mode of transportation for thousands of daily commuters in our region," said Freeholder Bill Moen. "Unfortunately, with so much of NJ Transit's focus and resources being dedicated to other areas of the state, those commuters have been left behind and seemingly forgotten."

Read more: Camden County Calls On NJ Transit To Reopen AC Rail Line

Before service reopens, test trains and rail equipment will begin to operate on the tracks. NJ Transit urges the public to stay alert and remain cognizant that railroad equipment can operate at any time.

Watch Murphy's announcement below:

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