Jersey Shore Visitors Will Get Expanded Train, Bus Options: NJ Transit

If you’re tired of logging long car trips every time you want to visit the Jersey shore, NJ Transit has a suggestion… take the train or bus.

NJ Transit officials announced Wednesday that the agency is enhancing its express weekend rail service from Penn Station New York to shore communities along the North Jersey Coast Line.

The agency also announced the return of weekday late-night Bay Head-Long Branch shuttles, as well as daily express bus service from Philadelphia to Wildwood and Cape May.

“Going down the shore is a time honored summer tradition in New Jersey,” said NJ Transit Interim Executive Director Dennis Martin. “Everyone should experience New Jersey’s beautiful beaches and what better way to relax than a stress-free ride on a bus or train?”

PHILADEPHIA BUS SERVICE

The #316 express bus from Philadelphia to Wildwood and Cape May will resume for the summer on Saturday, June 25, NJ Transit officials announced.

This year, the #316 will originate on JFK Boulevard just outside the Amtrak 30th St. Station in Philadelphia, providing access to Wildwood and Cape May from the University City section of Philadelphia, officials stated.

All trips will continue to serve the Greyhound Terminal in Philadelphia and then serve the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden, eliminating the need for customers to travel to the Avandale Park and Ride to transfer to the #316, according to NJ Transit.

Also new this year, the #316 will stop at the Gloucester Premium Outlets in Blackwood, providing access to the new and popular shopping destination. Beach goers can enjoy service to North Wildwood, Wildwood, Rio Grande and Cape May.

The complete timetable is available at www.njtransit.com.

BAY HEAD-LONG BRANCH RAIL SHUTTLES

Late-night weekday Bay Head-Long Branch rail shuttles will return on Monday, June 27, after being temporarily suspended in October for the winter season, officials stated.

Late-night shuttles will depart Long Branch at 11:19 p.m. and 2:42 a.m. heading to Bay Head. In addition, there will be a 9:43 p.m. departure from Bay Head to Long Branch.

This service will run through September 9, NJ Transit officials said.

NORTH JERSEY COAST LINE

Enhanced Saturday, Sunday and holiday express rail service on the North Jersey Coast Line will operate from June 26 through September 10, NJ Transit officials stated.

Officials said that round-trip weekend and holiday express trains will operate between Penn Station New York and Bay Head. This service also features hourly train service between Bay Head and Long Branch from approximately 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Two of the round-trip express trains will be geared to beach travelers, with an additional two round-trips providing service during the early morning and late night timeframes, officials said.

According to NJ Transit, the express service will serve Penn Station New York, Secaucus Junction, Newark Penn Station, Elizabeth, Rahway, Aberdeen-Matawan, Red Bank, Long Branch, Asbury Park, and then all station stops to Bay Head, and no need to transfer in Long Branch.

A travel time savings of about 25 minutes is expected from the regular travel time between New York and towns such as Belmar, Manasquan and Point Pleasant, officials said.

Seating will be limited aboard the express service, and customers are strongly encouraged to purchase round-trip tickets or discounted beach packages to Long Branch, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach and Belmar prior to the start of their trip, officials advised.

NJ TRANSIT beach packages are available at all rail station ticket windows and ticket vending machines except on the Atlantic City rail line. More information on beach packages is available online here.

Express trains will supplement NJ Transit’s regular weekend hourly rail shuttle service between Long Branch and Bay Head, and will operate using the ALP-45 dual-powered locomotives. These specialized trains operate in electric mode between New York and Long Branch and switch to diesel operation for travel between Long Branch and Bay Head – allowing for the one-seat ride, officials stated.

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