Help! - NJ/NYC train commuters

[gina2000]

You have a couple of options concerning parking in Woodbridge. The parking lot which runs parallel to the train station fills up first. There is another, larger lot which is across Main Street behind J.J. Bitting's. It's a hike but not horrifying.

There is also a summertime (and summertime/holiday) alternative which alot of people use. If you turn left onto Green Street and make the first right (Barron Avenue), you will see the middle school halfway down the block on the left. When school is not in session, commuters park there. They also park on the street which runs alongside the school. The parking lot is restricted when school is in session and the side street is filled with teachers' cars but when school is out, that's the shortest walk to the train station unless you're lucky to score a spot in the lot along the tracks. Many streets in the area have "Do not park from Xam to Ypm" signs so be careful.

Buy dailies til you see if the commute works for you and actually how often you'll be in the city. Monthlies are the most cost effective but if you aren't in that often, it's not worth it.

If you have any other questions, feel free to pm me. I live in the area and had commuted for years.

 

[NewJersey]

Adult one way (on-peak) is $8

So if you travel during the rush hour commute you'd pay $16 a day for the train.

If you travel offpeak, it is $13.75 R/T.

A weekly pass is $68.50 and a monthly pass is $227.

So if you are in the city 4x a week and each day you travel during rush hour, you'd be paying $64 a week which is cheaper than the weekly and you'd be paying $256 which is more than a monthly pass.

If you travel off peak, you'd be paying $55 a week and $220 a month.

So I definitely would see what the commute would be like and how often you are in the city and see which is the most cost effective pass.

As far as parking, I can't help you there really. I park at South Amboy and do a monthly parking pass since it's cheapest for me. Also, parking costs differ at each station so I would find out how much daily and monthly parking is at Woodbridge and assess how often you will park.

See you on the train!

 

[SydSim]

You guys are awesome. I just returned from Woodbridge. Drove up the turnpike (and got caught in returning from the shore or something traffic ). I saw two lots and another parking area (free public parking). I'll have to look into the school parking lot, though.

If I buy my tx each day, are the vending machines pretty crowded during the regular weekday hours? I didn't see an option to buy a regular round-trip tx - only off-peak. Would I be able to buy my return tx at Woodbridge, or do I need to buy it at Penn Station on my way back? I'm assuming that the tx area at Penn would be crazy during the afternoon/evening.

Sorry for all of the questions. Thanks!

 

[gina2000]

You can buy peak round trip tickets and off peak round trip tickets in the machines. You can buy returns, one ways, whatever you want.

 

[SydSim]

Just a quick update - I traveled into the city Tues., Wed., and Thurs. Twice, I drove to Metropark (once after rush hour. The parking garage said full, but the attendant opened it up for a few cars because there were actually a few spaces). Once during rush hour (got there around 7 - really easy getting in and parking - took Exit 11).

The first time was a little overwhelming. Penn Station - WOW! Took the sub uptown and got there just on time. The second time, it was nooo problem. Still busy, but I was more comfortable with it. I even stopped in the Kmart - it was so funny seeing a three story store inside of a train station. The third time, I actually drove into the city, since I didn't have to be there until 7pm. I had no idea that there would be a second "rush hour" traffic going into the city at that time. Took me over an hour from the Turnpike exit to Lincoln Tunnel. I know better next time.

I plan on trying Woodbridge at some point. Metropark was great because it had so many trains.

Thanks again for all of the advice.