Making a Getaway: Memorial Day Travel

Remember last year? On "getaway Friday," or the Friday of the long Memorial Day weekend, crowds started forming at Penn Station by 2 pm. A broken-down train in the NJ tunnel snarled traffic. Long lines filled the Port Authority.

Some 35 million Americans are expected to hit the road this holiday weekend, more than last year, despite higher gas prices.

So how can you make sure today is stress-free when it comes to traveling? Here's what you need to know.

First, NJ Transit is offering an "early getaway" rail and bus service for the benefit of customers leaving work early today.

Extra outbound trains will operate on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines starting at about 1 p.m. Extra buses will operate from the Port Authority Bus Terminal on more than two dozen bus routes starting around noon. Visit njtransit.com for details.

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all lines. Bus schedules will vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com for schedule information.

With Memorial Day marking the “unofficial” start of summer, NJ Transit authorities say this weekend is a great time for customers to take advantage of NJ Transit's discounted travel packages to destinations including the Jersey Shore, Six Flags Great Adventure, and Monmouth Park:

• Beach Packages: Save up to $6.50 on admission to one of five beaches—Long Branch, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach, and Belmar—by purchasing round-trip train fare and a beach pass for one price at NJ Transit ticket vending machines (choose “Special Promotions” and select “Beach Package”) or at ticket windows.  Customers can purchase the package for $31.50 from New York Penn Station or any station on the Main, Bergen County, or Pascack Valley lines (except from Metro-North stations), and for $23.50 from Hoboken Terminal or Newark Penn Station.
  

• Six Flags Great Adventure or Hurricane Harbor: Save up to $37 by purchasing round-trip bus transportation and park admission together. NJ Transit provides express bus service to Six Flags from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York, Newark Penn Station, Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal, and the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden.
• Monmouth Park: Board a train anywhere on NJ Transit's rail system and save $6 when you travel to Monmouth Park Racetrack. Simply purchase a round-trip package to Monmouth Park from NJ Transit ticket vending machines (choose “Special Promotions” and select “Monmouth Park”) or at ticket windows, and receive Grandstand Admission and an official track program for $1 plus round-trip train fare. 

For details on summer services and customer discounts, visit njtransit.com/summer.

Every weekend, families riding NJ Transit can save with the Family Super Saver Fare, which allows two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying adult. For the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the program will be in effect from 7 p.m. Friday, May 27 until 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 31.

Another good source for checking commuting conditions today is Clever Commute at www.clevercommute.com.