Agency suggests that travelers purchase roundtrip tickets to avoid long lines.
FAR HILLS -- New Jersey Transit is offering special service between Hoboken and Far Hills to transport thousands of spectators to and from the 95th annual Far Hills Race at picturesque Moorland Farm on Saturday.
The agency's Far Hills station on the Gladstone Branch of the Morris & Essex Lines is located directly across the street from Moorland Farm. It encouraged riders to purchase roundtrip tickets in advance to avoid long lines.
Because of unruly behavior at the event in recent years fueled by spectators bringing their own alcohol, no alcoholic beverages will be allowed on any bus, train or platform or in the station to and from Far Hills, the agency said.
Gates will open at Moorland Farm at 8 a.m. and the first race starts at 1 p.m. The last of the seven races is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. More than 9,000 spectators -- about 30 percent of the crowd -- used NJ Transit last year, race officials said.
RELATED: Preparations underway for the 95th annual Far Hills Race
Due to ongoing work on the Gladstone line, private carrier busing has been replacing rail service for the past several months. However, rail service will operate for race day only. After Far Hills has been cleared of the race patrons, bus service will again replace rail service so that work on the line may resume, the agency said.
One-way, return trip tickets from Far Hills will cost $20.
On Saturday, ticket offices will be open during special hours at Summit, Berkeley Heights, Lyons, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Gladstone, and Dover. More information on specific times is available on the NJ Transit website.
Schedule highlights include:
Service to Far Hills from Hoboken / Newark Broad Street / Summit
* From Hoboken to Far Hills (direct service): The first train leaves at 6:24 a.m. The last train departs at 12:30 p.m. There will be at least one train running per hour, and one every 15 to 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m. until 10:35 a.m.
* From Newark Broad Street to Far Hills (direct service): The first first train leaves at 6:40 a.m. The last train departs at 12:47 p.m. There will be at least one train running per hour, and one every 15 to 30 minutes from 8:45 a.m. until 10:50 a.m.
* From Summit to Far Hills: The first train leaves at 7:14 a.m. The last train departs at 3:14 PM. There will be at least one train running per hour, and one every 15 to 30 minutes from 9:15 a.m. until 11:15 a.m.
* Until 4 p.m., those traveling to Peapack and Gladstone must de-train at Summit and board shuttle bus service at the intersection of DeMun Place and Dumont Street.
* After 4 p.m., regular Gladstone Branch bus service will operate between Summit and Gladstone, including Far Hills.
Service from Far Hills to Summit/Newark Broad Street/Hoboken
* Until 1:30 p.m., regular Gladstone Branch bus service will operate between Gladstone and Summit, including Far Hills.
* After 1:30 p.m. and until 8:30 p.m., train service operates from Far Hills to Summit/Newark Broad Street/Hoboken. Those traveling from Gladstone and Peapack during this period must take shuttle bus service to Far Hills station for connecting train service.
Service from Far Hills to Summit/Newark Broad Street/Hoboken:
* From 1:59 p.m. until 7:59 p.m., there will be at least one train running per hour. Some trains require a transfer at Summit. Trains will depart every 30 minutes (or as they are filled) from 4:25 p.m. until 7 p.m. The last train departs at 9:59 p.m.
* After 8:30 p.m., regular Gladstone Branch bus service will operate between Gladstone and Summit, including Far Hills.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com.Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.