NJ Transit Exec Takes Rush Hour Train With Morris/Essex Riders

NJ Transit Executive Director Steve Santoro now knows what it feels like to be a Garden State rider commuting into New York. For a day, at least.

On Monday, Santoro put on his walking shoes and joined the rush hour commute, hopping on train #6314 on the Morris/Essex line from Summit to New York Penn Station at 7:14 a.m.

Along the way, Santoro spoke with customers and answered questions about the upcoming diversion to Hoboken and the alternate travel options which will be available beginning July 10, dubbed the “Summer of Hell.”

As part of a planned Amtrak overhaul of Penn Station New York's tracks, between July 10 and Sept. 1, all Midtown Direct trains will terminate at Hoboken… meaning commuters will have to use another way into New York City.

• See related article: Big Disruptions For Morris & Essex Line Commuters This Summer
• See related article: Amtrak Releases ‘Summer Of Hell’ Plan For N.J. Train Commuters

While most NJ Transit riders seemed to have cordial encounters with Santoro during his Monday morning sojourn on the Morris/Essex line, some of the internet comments left on the agency’s Twitter and Facebook pages told another story.

Santoro hasn’t been the only NJ Transit executive to make a recent public appearance regarding this summer’s delays. On June 22, members of the executive management team conducted a “We Are Listening” forum at Hoboken Terminal.

In addition, as part of NJ TRANSIT’s outreach effort, yellow-vested customer service ambassadors have been visiting stations along the M&E line to answer questions and distribute informational flyers to assist customers with the service changes, the agency stated.

• See related article: Amid Train Delays, NJ Towns Ask NYC Bosses To Let Employees Work From Home
• See related article: NJ Transit Offers Riders ‘Delay Letters’ To Placate Fed-Up Bosses

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Photos: NJ Transit