NJ Transit Cuts Will Bring 18K More People To Hoboken Each Day, Says Concerned Councilman

NORTH JERSEY, NJ — When NJ Transit slashes its train service in half starting Sunday — as they take four weeks to move a track to a new bridge — commuters will have to stop in Hoboken to change to a bus, ferry, or PATH train. READ MORE: NJ Transit Slashes Service Starting Sunday; See New Schedules

That means more than 18,000 more commuters streaming through the mile-square city in the morning — and the same number every evening, said the council president.

Council President Ruben Ramos said on Thursday the city needs to be prepared, and that he has reached out to the transit agency for help.

(See links to the new schedules, project updates, and alerts at the end of this story.)

"That is a significant increase in riders transferring to PATH trains, buses, ferries, and onto our local streets in just one month," Ramos noted. "Hoboken will be bearing the brunt of this regional bridge upgrade. Our platforms, sidewalks, and surrounding streets will feel the pressure."

NJ Transit and Hoboken's city spokesperson have said that NY Waterway, PATH (which is run by the Port Authority) and NJ Transit will add bus, ferry, and train routes through March 15. But it may not be enough, Ramos says.

"We are actively pushing to see what relief can be secured for Hoboken residents," Ramos said, "whether that means added bus service, a temporary bus route down Madison Street [on the west side of the city], or discounted transfer options to ease the burden."

On Wednesday, city spokesperson Marilyn Baer told Patch that as the city prepares, there may be some positive impacts.

"Visitors are encouraged to enjoy Hoboken before, during, or after their commute to take advantage or our local restaurants, bars, other retail establishments," she said Wednesday.

Dozens of restaurants are walkable from the terminal, as is Hoboken's main drag, Washington Street, lined with shops and bars.

But Hoboken is also densely packed mile-square city with 59,000 residents.

"NJ Transit will be running additional 126 bus service between Hoboken Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal, including adding more buses along the uptown route to help reduce crowding for New York City–bound riders," Baer said.

She said there will be more ferries to Midtown Manhattan as well. Hoboken has two ferry terminals.

(See the end of this story or this link for links to the new NJ Transit schedules.)

Customers who take the Morris and Essex, Gladstone Branch, and Montclair-Boonton trains from New Jersey to Penn Station in New York City will instead have to buy tickets to Hoboken. The Atlantic City line remains unaffected.

The transfer of the track from the century-old Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River is part of the Gateway Program to ultimately improve rail service from New Jersey to New York, NJ Transit. The track will be switched to the newer North Portal Bridge.

New Schedules And Changes

You can see the adjusted schedules and alternatives at njtransit.com/portalcutover.

READ MORE: NJ Transit Slashes Service Starting Sunday: See Link To New Schedules