An agreement between NJ Transit and Conrail will permit the Camden-to-Trenton passenger rail line to operate about an hour past midnight New Year's Eve, according to NJ Transit officials.

Janet Hines, spokeswoman for NJ Transit, said River Line trains will run every 30 minutes throughout the evening. The last southbound train will depart Trenton Station at 1 a.m. and arrive at the Camden Entertain-ment Center stop at 2:10 a.m. The last northbound train from Camden to make the entire 34-mile route to Trenton will depart at 1 a.m. and arrive at the Trenton station at 2:13 a.m.

A local northbound train also will depart at 1:15 a.m. from the Camden Entertainment Center stop and run to 36th Street in Pennsauken, Hines said.

Ordinarily, the last River Line trains depart Trenton and Camden stations at 9 p.m. on all nights but Saturdays to make way for overnight freight-train service by Conrail. On Saturday nights, River Line service typically ends at midnight.

Hines said late-night service is possible New Year's Eve because Conrail does not operate freight trains New Year's morning.

She said NJ Transit was previously able to negotiate a similar arrangement to extend the operating hours of the light-rail line over the Fourth of July weekend.

Hines said late-night trains would provide patrons with a safe and comfortable alternative to car travel to and from destinations along the line and the Camden waterfront, where crowds are expected to gather for a fireworks show over the Delaware River.

"We realize that customers are going out on New Year's, so extending service provides another convenient and safe way to use the River Line," Hines said.

Jack Willard, spokesman for the Battleship New Jersey, said the trains would appeal to some of the hundreds of people expected to watch the fireworks display from the deck of the famed warship. Admission is $5, he said.

Bar and restaurant owners along the line also predict customers celebrating the New Year would take advantage of the late train service.

"Most parties end at around 1 a.m., so the timing should work fine," said Joe Hartman, owner of the Broad Street Pub in Palmyra. "People will be able to hop a train and get home safe."