Commuters in northwestern New Jersey impacted by emergency repair work on Interstate 80 will have a new travel option starting Monday. NJ TRANSIT has announced a 50 percent discount on roundtrip rail fares from five Morris and Warren County stations—Hackettstown, Mount Olive, Netcong, Lake Hopatcong, and Mount Arlington—as part of a coordinated effort to ease congestion during the ongoing highway repairs.
The discount, which will remain in effect for the duration of the repair work, comes as state and federal officials work to mitigate the disruption caused by the emergency closure of a critical stretch of I-80.
“While we work around the clock to repair the roadway, we are providing every possible travel alternative, including NJ TRANSIT trains,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “By offering these discounts, we will get vehicles off the road and provide residents with another option to get to work or school and back home safely.”
The emergency repairs on I-80 have drawn national attention, with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy emphasizing the importance of swift action.
“I-80 is a critical artery that impacts not just the local community but the entire region,” Duffy said. “USDOT has brought in national geotechnical experts to help NJDOT identify the problem and safely reopen this road. I want to thank Gov. Murphy, Congressman Kean, NJDOT, and local leaders for their partnership in addressing this crisis.”
Congressman Tom Kean Jr., who previously advocated for NJ TRANSIT fare relief, welcomed the move. “Residents in this area will have a small measure of relief while we work to permanently fix this highway,” Kean said.
Starting March 24, commuters boarding at the five designated stations will not need to purchase a fare when traveling toward Newark Broad Street Station, Summit Station, or Penn Station New York. Passengers transferring at Newark Broad Street or Summit Station should notify the train crew and will receive a transfer ticket for their connecting train.
For return trips, commuters will only need to purchase a one-way ticket back to their originating station—effectively cutting roundtrip costs in half.
NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri urged commuters to take advantage of the offer, calling the train service a “productive and relaxing alternative” to highway gridlock.
“We are pleased to offer NJ TRANSIT rail service as an alternative, allowing commuters to avoid delays, reduce congestion, and enjoy a more comfortable trip—leaving the driving to us,” Kolluri said.
