HUDSON COUNTY — The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the City of Jersey City to welcome the two NFL Super Bowl Teams – the AFC and NFC champions – upon their arrival in Downtown Jersey City. Two events are planned at the Hyatt and Westin hotels where the teams will be staying. The teams are expected to arrive at their respective hotels on Sunday, Jan. 26, in the late afternoon.
The welcoming events will showcase all the city has to offer with tents, bands, activities for children, hot beverages, and giveaways.
“The arrival of the Super Bowl teams provides a remarkable opportunity to showcase Jersey City and the Hudson County region to a world-wide audience,” said Maria Nieves, Chamber President & CEO. “We are pleased to be working with the Mayor’s Office to highlight the fact that the two teams have chosen Jersey City and to welcome visitors who will be in the region for the festivities. With all the fantastic restaurants, cultural destinations, and public transportation Hudson County offers, we hope our Jersey City welcome will raise the area’s visibility as a tourist destination and provide an additional platform for the Chamber to serve our members and promote local business.”
The Chamber’s participation in the welcoming events is sponsored in part by the Jersey City Medical Center.
Port Authority news
The Port Authority said it is ready for Super Bowl XLVIII and will add extra services and personnel to make traveling around the New York-New Jersey region as convenient as possible for regional customers and the more than 400,000 anticipated visitors for Game-related activities.
Agency officials designed a game plan that includes a myriad of initiatives throughout the Port Authority’s airports, PATH rail system, George Washington Bridge, tunnels and bus terminal to handle the influx of visitors, while ensuring smooth service for daily commuters and travelers.
The agency’s airports – in particular Teterboro, Newark Liberty International, John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia – will add Customer Care Representatives and dozens of volunteer staff to welcome and guide visitors to their destinations.
To ensure smooth operations, the Port Authority implemented a reservation system for private aircraft at Teterboro Airport from 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, to 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, to help manage the flow of air traffic.
At Newark Liberty International Airport, visitors can enter “Fan Zones” featuring live entertainment, giveaways, pop-up concession stands and activities in the terminals. The staff at Newark Airport has been working with various companies and government agencies to coordinate plans to make travel more efficient. This includes additional TSA screeners and a partnership with ground transportation operators and rental car companies to minimize traffic congestion.
Additional Passenger Information Agents will be at all PATH stations throughout game week.
Enhanced PATH rail service will be in effect between Monday, Jan. 27, and Monday, Feb. 3, to help football fans get to Super Bowl XLVIII-related events in both New Jersey and New York, while keeping the system running efficiently for commuters. PATH’s 33 rd Street Station will bring visitors to the doorstep of Super Bowl Boulevard, which will be held on Broadway between 34 th and 47 th streets in midtown Manhattan.
PATH service will expand during off-peak hours and all lines will be in operation on Saturday, February 1. For the complete PATH schedule, information and alerts, visit www.panynj.gov/SuperBowlXLVIII or follow@PATHTrain on Twitter.
To help alleviate traffic congestion, the Port Authority will provide four westbound lanes in the Lincoln Tunnel directed to the stadium on game day and four New York-bound lanes after the game. The NFL, in coordination with several public agencies in both New York and New Jersey, has established designated travel routes to and from the stadium for those with priority access NFL placard vehicles on Super Bowl Sunday.
Volunteer Customer Service Representatives and dozens of additional staff will be located throughout the bus terminal. The Port Authority strongly advises passengers to ensure their return trip by buying a return bus ticket either at the ticket counter or at one of the vending machines before leaving for their destination. Since some bus routes will have their PABT departure gates and times changed, it is recommended that riders double-check the gate and time information.
Located in the heart of Times Square, the bus terminal is close to some of New York City’s most-visited attractions. Passengers can dine in one of several eateries, shop, or socialize at the terminal’s bowling alley. During Super Bowl week, several retailers are extending their business hours. The bus terminal is also a short walk from Super Bowl Boulevard, which will be held on Broadway between 34th and 47th streets.
During game week, NJ TRANSIT will offer expanded midday, afternoon peak and evening service on selected bus routes to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. On game day, there will not be bus service from the terminal to MetLife Stadium. The NFL is offering ticket holders Fan Express Bus service to and from the stadium at nine convenient pickup locations across New York City and New Jersey. For more information, visit SBFanExpress.com.
Variable Message Signs at the George Washington Bridge will provide real-time travel information and special traffic advisories.
Additional Office of Emergency Management personnel, operations and maintenance staff, and both uniformed and plain-clothed police officers, will be deployed at Port Authority crossings and major thoroughfares in New Jersey and New York to ensure rapid incident response, active traffic management and readiness in the event of severe weather during Super Bowl week.
For information and alerts, visit www.panynj.gov/SuperBowlXLVIII.
Keep watching hudsonreporter.com in Hudson County, NJ for updates, and pick up the Huddle Zone Guide if you are staying in a local hotel.