NJ Transit Strike Contingency Plan for South Brunswick

South Brunswick, NJ - Ok, so it's too early to tell if NJ Transit's 4,000 rail workers will really strike at 12:01 a.m. on March 13. But if they do, that means NO trains on any line will be running.

The heavily traveled Northeast Corridor line will be one of the hardest hit, warns NJT Interim Executive Director Dennis Martin.

If there is a strike — “We expect added traffic at the Park and Ride on Rt. 130 and Rt. 27," South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said. "Typically more than 87,000 vehicles travel on South Brunswick roads, commuting to and from work each day. Those numbers will go up substantially and drivers need to be prepared for the added commute times."

Here's what you can do if you have to get into Manhattan:

1. Park your car at Metropark or Hamilton and take a bus:

Park at Metropark Rail station for an NJ Transit bus to the Harrison PATH station. Or, park at Hamilton rail station for service to Newark Penn, where you can pick up the PATH.

Park-ride service will operate on a first-come, first served basis, weekdays only, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. ONLY. No midday, evening, weekend or reverse commute service will operate on these park-ride routes. It's $21.50 for an adult round-trip fare from Metropark; $32.50 for a round-trip fare from Hamilton.

2. NJ TRANSIT is adding peak period service on the 108, 112, 115 and 129 bus routes. Check NJ Transit for schedules. But don't expect an easy commute: A normally 1-hour bus trip into the city will likely take several hours with the increased traffic on the roads.

3. If a strike happens, please don't drive into Manhattan solo: Martin said the issue could not be overstated and painted a nightmare scenario.

He estimated a 23-mile backup on Rt. 78 heading into the Holland Tunnel and a 21-mile backup headed into the Lincoln Tunnel. Further north, a nine-mile backup is projected for the George Washington Bridge.

“In the next week, get to know the people on your train who board at the same location as you,” Martin said. “Work out carpooling options. You can’t travel solo anymore if the strike happens.”

NJ Transit is also asking employers to allow people to work from home next week. Talk to your company about options.

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