Experience on Raritan valley Line (Newark, Westfield: townhouses, closing, live in)

[techieguy]

Please share your experiences on the Raritan Valley Line going into Newark Penn Station , specifically for commuting from Bridgewater or Sommerville or Bound Brook.

My specific questions are
1. Seat availabilty during rush hour/peak times
2. Parking situation at starting location.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[crisp444]

1) You should be able to get a seat during rush hour because those towns are pretty far down the line from Newark and the train will not be near its capacity by the time you get on.

2) I don't know the parking situation very well because I live in NYC and sometimes have to go to Dunellen, Fanwood, or Westfield (all on the Raritan Valley Line). Hopefully someone with experience parking at Bridgewater or Bound Brook each morning can help you with that.

[fiorile38]

You'll have no problem getting a seat on the way in. Coming home is another question though, lol.

Not sure about parking, I live farther down the line.

[CuCullin]

I occasionally have to get in late, and have to go to Somerville - there is always parking in the daily lot, not sure about permit parking.

You'll get a seat 99.9% of the time until about Dunellen, your likelihood of a seat goes down rapidly from there. After Westfield, an open seat is rare.

[techieguy]

CuCullin,
Based on fiorile38's response, how's the seat availability from Newark Penn going back to Bridgewater.
Thanks

[ylc99999]

Going back from Newark Penn always have seat because every train car has different destinations. for example, the rear ones only will open at Bridgewater and other towns, so people heading Dunellen will not go to that car...etc.

In the morning, depending on when, you normally get a seat. Bridgewater has free parking lots, the same one for PNC Ballpark. Bound Brook is great because it is small, so if you live in the nice new townhouses or some close by area, you can virtually WALK TO train station.

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by techieguy

CuCullin,
Based on fiorile38's response, how's the seat availability from Newark Penn going back to Bridgewater.
Thanks

Depends on the timing. From New York, there are tons of people, so its iffy as to whether or not you get a seat.

From Newark, the trains (especially express) get packed at 5:17 through the 6:23 train. If you get there right before the doors close, you probably won't have a seat for a bit. If you get there with about 5 minutes before the train leaves, you'll probably get a seat.

On a local train, you'll usually be able to get a seat after Roselle Park or Cranford. On an express train, the first stop is Westfield, and alot get off there (its the busiest non-hub station for NJ Transit), so you definitely get a seat after that.

It'll be about 15-20 minutes of standing time in the worst case scenario of getting there right as the doors are closing up.

[fiorile38]

I think I've only once not gotten a seat on the way back. I shoot for the 6:30 or the 6:49. Unless you're jummping on as the doors are closing or some sort of train delay wouldn't have a problem. As stated above it does clear out rather quickly.
The 7:15(?) is usually quite empty.

[techieguy]

Thank you everyone