Issue-Riddled River Line Gets Stopgap Fix As Cancelations Plague NJ Transit Rail

SOUTH JERSEY — The River Line is getting a temporary fix as commuters on light rail face continue to face frequest cancelations and delays.

NJ Transit, which manages the rail service, will add supplemental buses to several stops during peak hours, starting Monday.

The River Line, which travels from Trenton to Camden, will continue its schedule of weekday service every half hour at all stations. But buses will serve six "high-ridership" stops from 6-10:30 a.m. and 3:30-8:30 p.m. on weekdays:

• Trenton Transit Center: Barlow Street and Clinton Avenue (MyBus #22585)
• Florence: In the parking lot (MyBus #32392)
• Burlington Towne Centre: Broad and High streets (MyBus #14186 northbound and MyBus #31132 southbound)
• Riverside: Franklin and Kossuth streets (MyBus #32369)
• Palmyra: Station drop-off area
• Walter Rand Transportation Center: Broadway across from the terminal (MyBus #15034)

Customers beginning or ending their trips at a River Line station without bus accommodations will need to wait for the next train.

The supplemental buses are a temporary fix for a rail service in need of technical upgrades. NJ Transit is awaiting the delivery of custom replacement auxiliary power units (APUs), which have been delayed because of manufacturing and supply-chain issues, according to agency officials.

"The recent performance on the River LINE has not been acceptable and we apologize to our customers for their experience," NJ Transit President Kevin S. Corbett said in a statement. "This interim measure is part of a broader long-term commitment and action plan that continues holding our contract operator accountable to make the necessary vehicle upgrades and restore the reliable and predictable service our customers expect and deserve."

River Line cancelations and delays have been especially prevalent in recent summers because of heat an adverse weather, among other factors. Many River Line commuters also face an additional obstacle, with limited transportation options for rerouting trips in the region.

Meanwhile, NJ Transit's fares increased July 1 to mitigate the agency's budgetary shortfall. In recent week, state legislators in both major parties have called for improvements to the River Line amid the 15 percent fare hike for commuters.

State Sen. Troy Singleton (NJ-7), a Democrat whose district includes all of Burlington County's River Line station, said the temporary bus service doesn't offset the need for longterm solutions.

"While this does not address the root cause of the delays," Singleton said, "which are mostly mechanical and heat related, this contingency plan will at least try to keep commuters moving about their day."