NJ Transit Slashed Service To NYC In Half Starting This Week: What To Know

NORTH JERSEY, NJ — Starting this week, NJ Transit slashed its train service to New York City in half due to month-long infrastructure work — forcing commuters to change to a ferry, PATH train, or bus in Hoboken to continue to the city. (See links to new schedules and alerts below).

Despite months of preparations, the change got off to a bumpy start Sunday when engineers couldn't work according to the new schedules and many rides were canceled. READ MORE: NJ Transit Blames Union Contracts For Train Cancellations Sunday

But Tuesday morning, transit workers guided thousands of commuters through Hoboken Train Terminal.

"They gave ample warning," said commuter Thomas Agatielli on Tuesday morning, getting off a train from Rutherford, in Bergen County, to head to work.

Other commuters were seen questioning the numerous Transit workers who held up signs directing them to the ferries, PATH trains (run by the Port Authority), or 126 buses that run to the Port Authority bus terminal in midtown Manhattan.

Officials said that the changes will cause an estimated 18,000 more passengers than usual to come through the Hoboken Train Terminal each morning and evening. READ MORE: Hoboken Prepares For 18,000 Daily More Commuters At Station

Why The Change?

The changes will continue through March 15 while NJ Transit moves a track and wires from an aging bridge in Kearny to the newer North Portal bridge, both over the Hackensack River.

The process of moving the track, wires, and electrical systems — known as a "cutover" — will impact every transit line heading to New York from New Jersey. The only train route that won't be affected is the Atlantic City Rail Line, the agency said.

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.

Some of the routes will start earlier in the day to give riders more time, the agency said.

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.

NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri said last month, “While the disruption is temporary, the benefits—including a far more reliable and resilient commute along the Northeast Corridor—will last for generations.”

Bumpy Start

According to the agency, there were significant cancellations on Sunday. READ MORE: NJ Transit Blames Union Contracts For Train Cancellations Sunday

The agency sent a note to commuters later that day saying, "We apologize to our customers for this morning's train cancellations related to the Portal Cutover schedule adjustments. Engineers are provided up to 48 hours under their collective bargaining agreement to select their new assignments...

"Some assignments may remain temporarily unfilled with limited advance notice, which can result in cancellations. Unfortunately, the contract doesn't permit this process to be done a week prior to the actual schedule change...."

Under an NJ Transit social media post, one rider complained about being late to work, and another commenter speculated the problems will continue after the weekend.

"This is a temporary transition issue," the agency wrote, "and we expect service reliability to continue improving as all engineers finalize their assignment selections."

On Tuesday, spokesman Jim Smith said that overall, the situation was improving.

"This morning went well," he told Patch. "While there were five cancellations this morning systemwide, we were able to accommodate customers with following trains."

How Long?

Once the four-week project is complete, trains leaving New York will use the track on the new bridge, and trains heading to New York will resume on the remaining track on the original (116-year-old) bridge.

In fall, the remaining track will be moved from the old to the new bridge as well, NJ Transit said.

Once both tracks are moved to the new bridge, the original bridge will be permanently removed and the new bridge will accommodate all train traffic.

More Information

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

You can also find them by clicking here.

Get NJ Transit alerts here.