Hoboken Tickets on the Montclair - Boonton Line

My wife told me that NJT will not accept Hoboken tickets when transferring to the Montclair line at Newark Broad Street on trains heading to or coming from New York Penn. There are a number of non-rush hour trains going into NYC, and one coming from NYC, where such a transfer is quite feasible, (e.g., 10:02 and 11:00 AM;  9:32 PM). Not only did the conductor tell her tonight that she had to pay a step up, but there was an announcement to that effect over the train intercom. 

This was certainly not my understanding when NJT sought to console us with the Hoboken discount for being treated more severely than other train lines. Moreover, since these are not rush hour trains, I fail to see the point of imposing such a rule. Being able to use the Hoboken ticket on such a transfer without the step-up poses no burden on their track work, yet forces us into Hoboken when it is not necessary, at the cost of taking back their "discount." It is also financially wasteful, since it imposes the cost on PATH, or other service.

I write this primarily to give everyone a "heads up," but I hope you will join me in fighting like hell against this additional slap in the face from NJT.  

Hmm. This is weird. Was it monthly or one way ticket? I took the Montclair line from NYC earlier this week when I had to leave mid-day, I think it was 1:39 PM with connection in Newark Broad for the Hoboken train. But the tickets were not checked on the first train so I can't compare notes. 

I was on the 9:32 tonight. The conductor lectured those of us with HOB monthlies, but did not check tickets until after the Secaucus stop, when it was too late to do anything about it. Which was good because I had $0 cash.

It was a monthly ticket. The conductor got the policy right. It reads: "Hoboken passes and tickets will not be valid for rail service to/from Newark Penn Station or on other rail lines." If you agree that this policy is unfair, write a note or cut and paste what I said above and post on the NJT web site, 

http://www.njtransit.com/hp/hp...

under the "contact us" menu.

Considering the Montclair/Boonton trains that stop at Newark Broad Street as being in the category of "other rail lines" could be open to interpretation since these trains appear on the M&E line train schedule as a transfer from Hoboken trains to trains bound for Penn Station NY.

joan_crystal said:

Considering the Montclair/Boonton trains that stop at Newark Broad Street as being in the category of "other rail lines" could be open to interpretation since these trains appear on the M&E line train schedule as a transfer from Hoboken trains to trains bound for Penn Station NY.

I was thinking the same thing.  

I agree with Joan and Steve. The language probably reflects differences and ambiguities in approach by NJT officials when the policies were being developed and subsequently challenged by Vic and town politicians. But now it seems clear how the phrase is being interpreted . . . to our disadvantage.  

Before the written policies officially came out finalized, all of the chatter was that the monthly discounted tickets wouldn't be vaild for a transfer at Newark Broad (or via light rail to Newark Penn). They're only valid to Penn for the special early morning trains and never valid from Penn.

Their goal was to make sure that the Montclair trains didn't get clogged with M&E people. I think they modified some of their trains to skip Newark Broad to keep M&Eers off - I know that was at least discussed.

After experiencing this on Tuesday, I sent a note to our mayor.  I also contacted NJT, but they were not the least bit concerned about it.  "Tough luck," is my interpretation of their response.