Fewer Trains, Fare Hikes For Cranford Rail Riders

Starting this Sunday, NJ Transit riders in Cranford will have to adjust their rail routines to accomodate two discontinued trains, additional stops and late arrivals.

NJ Transit will cancel trains departing for Newark from the Cranford Station at 8:24 a.m. and 5:13 p.m. on weekdays. Morning riders can instead choose between two service alternatives departing from Cranford at 7:59 and 8:17. These new local trains will arrive later in Newark due to the additional local stops. Afternoon riders will get a chance to board the now-local train arriving in Cranford at 5:04.

Cranford riders also have to contend with far hikes.

As of May 1, a one-way ticket from Cranford to Newark Penn Station costs 75 cents more (from $3.25 to $4); a one-way ticket to New York Penn Station is priced at $1.50 more (from $6.50 to $8). One-way reduced fare to Newark climbs from $1.50 to $1.75 (from $3 to $3.50 for New York).

Commuter fees are no exception, with the weekly Newark pass at $35.50 (from $28.50); the weekly New York pass at $70.50 (from $56.50); the monthly Newark pass at $116 (from $93); the monthly New York pass at $233 (from $186).

NJ Transit no longer sells off-peak tickets.

Changes are a result of the transit company's looming $300 million budget deficit for the coming fiscal year. Two trains will be eliminated from all rail lines. Fare hikes were seen across the board.

For detailed information scroll down or check njtransit.org.

Discontinued Trains:
Morning weekday train 5724 (8:24 a.m. departure from Cranford)
Afternoon weekday train 5903 (5:13 p.m. arrival in Cranford)

Adjusted Stops/Schedules:
Trains 5718 (does not stop at Cranford), 5420 (7:59 a.m. departure from Cranford) and 5422 (8:17 a.m. departure from Cranford) will add stops to accommodate customers from train 5724. These trains will arrive in Newark later than usual due to the added stops.

Train 5733 (arriving in Cranford at 5:04 p.m.) will make local stops to accommodate customers from train 5903.