NJ Transit schedule change impacts Jersey Shore riders

Jersey Shore residents who like taking the train into Penn Station to attend sporting events or concerts in New York City, might be forced to drive in under a schedule change to NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast line. 

The last 1 a.m. train no longer stops south of Long Branch. That means riders heading to Elberon, Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Bradley Beach, Belmar, Spring Lake, Manasquan, Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head will have to catch a train more than 90 minutes earlier, at 11:18 p.m., according to the Asbury Park Press.

The schedule change made last month, was routine and part of a biannual review by the agency, according to NJ Transit Executive Director Veronique Hakim.

NJ Transit held public hearings on its 2015-2016 budget proposal, which included a 9 percent fare hike currently in effect. The Asbury Park Press reported federal law did not require riders to be notified of the recent schedule change, which is only necessary when at least 25 percent of a line's stops are discontinued or cancelled on specific days.

There is no longer a 9:38 p.m. train from New York to stops south of Long Branch. NJ Transit also cancelled late night trains on the Morris & Essex line.

The 9:43 p.m. train from Bay Head to New York that was cancelled, now begins service at Long Branch.