NEW JERSEY (WABC) — Starting today, some NJ Transit trains have been rerouted to Hoboken for the start of the Portal Bridge cutover weekday schedule.<\/p>\n
According to NJ Transit, “M&E and MOBO trains to NYC are being diverted to Hoboken with cross-honoring options from Hoboken to NYC.”<\/p>\n
“Hoboken’s PATH station is expected to be the busiest location for Manhattan-bound riders during peak hours, as NJ TRANSIT’s Midtown Direct rail service will temporarily operate to Hoboken instead of New York-Penn Station,” officials warned.<\/p>\n
NJ Transit and Amtrak commuters can anticipate potential delays, cancellations, and schedule changes for the next month.<\/p>\n
On Sunday morning, some 27 trains were canceled.<\/p>\n
Officials with NJ Transit issued an apology to riders Sunday after canceling those trains, citing engineer staffing “under their collective bargaining agreement” that gives them 48 hours “to select their new assignments.”<\/p>\n
NJ Transit called it a “temporary transition issue.”<\/p>\n
It all comes as Amtrak started the first stage to transfer rail service from the century-old Portal Bridge to the new Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River.<\/p>\n
The work began Sunday and will continue through March 13; all rail lines except the Atlantic City Rail Line will undergo temporary service adjustments.<\/p>\n
“The Portal Bridge has been a nemesis and a nightmare for decades for riders on the northeast Corridor,” NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said. “In the end there will be a brand new bridge for the first time in 116 years.”<\/p>\n
With the installation of this new bridge, getting home will be easier, according to Kolluri, who says the bridge is even more critical to the corridor than the new tunnels.<\/p>\n
The arches of the new replacement bridge are already in place over the Hackensack River. It’s higher and won’t have to open.<\/p>\n
Modified train schedules, along with some consolidations or cancellations, should be expected.<\/p>\n
New Jersey Transit is asking riders for patience while it reduces service from 48 to 18 trains per hour. Trains will have added capacity. But they’ll have to make more stops.<\/p>\n
The new Portal North Bridge is expected to improve reliability and fewer bridge-related delays and increase operational resilience along the Northeast Corridor.<\/p>\n
Once both tracks are in service on the new bridge, the original bridge will be permanently removed from service and the new bridge will accommodate all traffic.<\/p>\n
Service changes to know:<\/p>\n
Weekday Midtown Direct trains on the Morris & Essex (M&E), Gladstone Branch and Montclair-Boonton Line will be diverted to Hoboken. Weekend Midtown Direct trains will operate to\/from NY Penn Station.<\/p>\n
Midtown Direct customers on the M&E, Gladstone Branch and Montclair-Boonton Line should purchase tickets\/passes with a destination of Hoboken in lieu of New York.<\/p>\n
For Midtown Direct customers with Hoboken as a destination on their tickets\/passes, the following options will be available for travel between Hoboken and Midtown Manhattan:<\/p>\n
Cross-honoring with NY Waterway ferries will be in effect on weekdays between Hoboken Terminal and W. 39th St. in Midtown Manhattan
Ferry service to Midtown Manhattan will be enhanced during the morning and evening peak periods
Cross-honoring will be in effect with PATH at Hoboken and 33rd Street only
NJ TRANSIT’s 126 bus to\/from PABT<\/p>\n
For more information, visit NJTransit.com<\/a> and Amtrak.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n * Get Eyewitness News Delivered<\/a> <\/p>\n * Follow us on YouTube<\/a> <\/p>\n * More local news<\/a><\/p>\n * Send us a news tip<\/a><\/p>\n