In the world of trains, commuter railroads are the stepchildren of their big sister, passenger railroads, known for their scenery and hustle and bustle.

The long-distance rail systems of Amtrak and Canada VIA offer breathtaking scenery, some of which can only be seen from the train.

But during the week that NJ Transit is offering free rides through September 2, Jersey also has some spectacular sights that can only be experienced by rail, as well as some fabulous bus rides.

There are some disclaimers. This is still a commuter agency that offered free rides because of a troubled summer, and those problems aren’t going to go away in a week. Check the mobile app and social media notifications before you ride. And avoid rush hours.

What can you see for free? How about the longest and highest railroad bridge east of the Mississippi? Water views stretch from New York City to the New Jersey shore. There are bus lines that can get you to the oceanfront in Atlantic City or Cape May in time for sunset.

Sea view

Prefer to be by the sea? Take a North Jersey Coast Line train. Water views begin as the train crosses the Raritan Bay swing bridge and continue as the train travels along the shore south of South Amboy. Water views improve as the train enters southern Monmouth County.

Views of marinas and boats can be enjoyed while crossing the Shark River Drawbridge between Bradley Beach and Belmar and the Brielle Drawbridge over the Manasquan River between Point Pleasant and Manasquan.

Take a trip to the beach

Some of New Jersey’s top 50 beaches are within walking distance on some trains. Point Pleasant Beach is the gateway to Jenkinson’s Boardwalk Amusement Park if you’re looking for entertainment. Belmar train station is the gateway to this coastal party town (bonus: you won’t risk a DUI if you overdo it, but behave yourself on the train. NJ Transit police patrol and can be called if a passenger is too loud).

Spring Lake offers a beautiful natural beach with no amusements or attractions, Bradley Beach has good restaurants near the sand. Just don’t bring too much stuff that you have to lug between the station and the sand.

To get to the watering holes at Asbury and Long Branch stations, a taxi or Uber ride is required.

By train to AC

Another shore rail ride is the Atlantic City Line, which terminates at this famous oceanfront casino resort. Access is best from South Jersey, but northerners can get there in Philly on Amtrak or SEPTA, or take the River Line Light Rail to the Pennsauken Transit Center and change there.

The AC Line terminates at the Atlantic City Convention Center, just a short taxi ride from the glitz and glamour of the boardwalk and its casinos. The AC Jitney also runs 24 hours a day.

A bonus for passengers traveling to or from Philadelphia is the view from the Delair Bridge, which stands 135 feet above the Delaware River. The downside: The bridge is used by freight trains, and NJ Transit trains can suffer delays when it has to be opened to allow ships to pass through.

The longest bus ride to the beach

There are also three bus routes to reach the beach. NJ Transit’s longest bus route is the 319 between New York and Cape May. It allows you to get to New Jersey’s southernmost beach from the Big Apple, Newark or Jersey City.

But it takes five hours. While that may seem like a torturous slog, the benefit is that someone else is dealing with the traffic and parking (or lack thereof) on the Parkway. The ride is so long that the only Cruiser buses in the fleet are equipped with restrooms.

If you time it right, the reward for the trip could be a sunset on the beach – depending on which bus you take. An 11:30 a.m. bus from NYC arrives in Cape May at 4:56 p.m., just in time for waterfront dining and sunset for dessert. The next bus, a 2:30 p.m. bus, arrives at 7:56 p.m., just before sunset at 7:38 p.m.

Other buses require a transfer in Toms River or Wildwood. Since this is a seasonal bus, please check the schedule carefully.

Want to go to the beach that our entertainment writers at NJ.com voted the second best beach in New Jersey? Take the 137 bus to Island Beach State Park. This bus also runs during the summer.

Need for Speed ​​​​to NYC

The Northeast Corridor line has faced heavy criticism this summer due to delays and other service disruptions that have tested commuters’ sanity and patience.

It’s still America’s fastest railroad, and a section between North Brunswick and Trenton is called the “Raceway.” While NJ Transit’s trains don’t reach the double-digit speeds of Amtrak’s Acela and Northeast Regionals, they still reach impressive speeds in the 80-90 mph range.

An express train from NEC, which stops just a few stops into NYC, is a speed junkie’s delight and a great way to reach the city’s best attractions. Broadway plays are a cab ride away from New York’s Penn Station.

Attend a Yankees game by transferring to the subway (the D train runs one block east of Penn Station, or take the E train toward Queens and transfer to the D train at 7th Avenue). The Yankees are in town from August 30th to September 1st. The Mets are out of town.

See a really big bridge

The Moodna Viaduct is such a spectacular sight that a photo of a train riding on it graces the cover of NJ Transit’s annual report. At 3,200 feet long and 193 feet tall, it is the second longest and second tallest railroad viaduct east of the Mississippi.

It is located on NJ Transit’s Main-Port Jervis Line in Cornwall, New York, which is operated under contract by Metro North. This New York State view is free this week and the rail line also passes through Harriman State Park and has a stop nearby.

Other scenic drives

The Hudson Bergen Light Rail offers some views of Manhattan, and as it travels south, the Statue of Liberty can be seen from points in Jersey City. Get off at the Liberty State Park stop and take the new free summer shuttle to the park on Saturday, Sunday, or September 2, Labor Day.

The Morris & Essex Lines offer some scenic attractions, including picturesque lakes west of Denville. Hackettstown trains pass by Allamuchy State Park and the village of Waterloo. The Raritan Valley Line offers rural views west of Raritan, but there is no service to Hunterdon County on weekends.

One more disclaimer: Make sure you get on a car with windows you can see through. Some multi-story cars still have fogged-up windows that the agency is still trying to fix.