NJ Transit’s statewide bus system is operating as scheduled, but supplemental chartered bus service won’t start until Monday.
The agency’s contingency plan for commuters during the strike involves private buses that will run from four Park & Ride lots around the state to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan or to stations of the PATH train in North Jersey.
The chartered bus service — which will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis — will run weekdays during peak times starting May 19:
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Secaucus Junction to Port Authority Bus Terminal, running 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel to Port Authority Bus Terminal, running 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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Hamilton Rail Station to Newark Penn Station PATH, running 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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Woodbridge Center Mall to Harrison PATH Station, running 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Kris Kolluri, the agency’s chief executive, has warned that the chartered buses can accommodate only about 20 percent of the displaced train riders.
Parking will be free at Woodbridge Center Mall and PNC Bank Arts Center for the charter bus service.
The contingency plan is similar to the one used 42 years ago, the last time there was a transit strike in New Jersey.
Commuters who already have NJ Transit rail tickets and passes to or from New York, Newark or Hoboken may use those tickets on the Park & Ride service. They will also be crosshonored on NJ Transit buses and light rail lines but not on other carriers, including Amtrak, PATH ferries and private carrier buses.
Some displaced commuters may also try to switch to existing bus routes operated by NJ Transit and private carriers, like Boxcar, which says it offers “business class” bus service into New York at a premium price.
Patrick McGeehan is a Times reporter who covers the economy of New York City and its airports and other transportation hubs.
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