ATLANTIC CITY — The long-awaited return of service on two NJ Transit lines won’t be awaited quite as long as had been anticipated.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday that service on both the Atlantic City Rail Line and the Princeton Branch would resume on May 12, almost two weeks earlier than the previously announced May 24 start-up.
“I’m so pleased to announce the early restoration of the NJ Transit Atlantic City Rail Line and the Princeton Branch, which will allow our commuters to get to work, school, and back again, free of disruption. I applaud NJ Transit’s leadership for their efforts to improve safety and restore service. Our residents and commuters deserve nothing less.”
Murphy made the announcement at the 43rd annual New Jersey TransAction Conference, attended by over 900 transportation professionals.
Service on both lines was suspended last September to allow for installation of positive train control equipment, with resumption originally scheduled for January, then revised to March and subsequently to Memorial Day weekend. NJ Transit cited equipment delays and a shortage of engineers for the delays. [See “NJ Transit sets May 24 for return of Atlantic City, Princeton rail lines,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 28, 2019.]
The Atlantic City line will resume with additional trains — five arriving in Philadelphia before noon instead of the previous three on weekdays, and no more than a two-hour wait between trains during the service day. Service on the Princeton shuttle, known as the “Dinky” because of its two-car trains, will be restored to its pre-suspension levels. Timetables for both services are available at the NJ Transit website.
“I did not want these rail lines to remain out of service for a minute longer than necessary, and I’m grateful that we’re able to resume service nearly two weeks ahead of schedule,” said NJ Transit Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “I know how critical these services are to those who rely on them.”
I was glad to hear about the earlier resumption of Atlantic City service and the improved frequency of trains. I was a regular rider of this service and only went to Atlantic City one time since the service suspension. Due to its relatively low ridership I was concerned that NJ Transit would give it a lower priority to restart service. Hopefully with the improved frequency of trains and the usuall heavy auto traffic in the summer months ridership will increase.
The Dinky was suspended due to crew shortages systemwide; PTC was not installed on this short 1-track line. And given the high fare charged for a 4-minute ride, it should pay for itself as much as any other line.
In the 1930’s when the Pennsy reconstructed and electrified the PJ&B it was double track with 2 quadrant wyes and storage tracks for football specials. Nassau tower interlocking honored William of Orange from Hesse-Nassau. Beyond historic interest, the service meets every train stopping at P’ctn Jct. and often with standing room. Rode it for the first time in Sept. 1972 with delight and as recently as 2008.
Why do they even keep this “dinky” running. Bike path and shuttle bus should handle demand. Enlarge the parking lot if necessary. NJ Transit can use the money elsewhere.
Suspending the “dinky” was absurd since there is only one movement with one 2-car set in one direction at slow speed.
Robert – We both ride trains so we must both agree that some trains actually do make sense. I see no harm in this dinky.
Robert,
Have you ever tried to get across (or on to) route 1 at rush hour? fuggeddaboudit!