Summer Of Hell: Hoboken Terminal Keeps Cool, PATH Heats Up (PHOTOS)

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HOBOKEN, NJ — Those expecting a logjam of epic proportions at Hoboken Terminal on Monday morning instead found a surprisingly stress-free daily commute waiting for them.

The kickoff of this summer’s much-heralded Amtrak repairs at New York Penn Station – dubbed the “Summer of Hell” – was also expected to create serious delays for NJ Transit and Long Island Railroad passengers on Monday morning. All three of those rail lines have significant changes planned during the repairs. You can see those here.

• See related article: 'Summer Of Hell' At Penn Station (Here's Everything You Need To Know)

But contrary to warnings from transportation officials and many experts, most riders reported smooth sailing throughout the morning commute as they traveled from New Jersey to New York or vice versa.

• See related article: 'Summer Of Hell' Begins: Shocked Commuters Report Pleasant Journeys

“I’m not surprised based on what I’ve heard,” Hoboken Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher told Patch.

Fisher, who was on the scene at Hoboken Terminal for the Monday morning rush, said that she felt transportation authorities were trying to do everything they could to anticipate the needs of commuters.

“Everyone’s cautiously optimistic,” Fisher said. “I’m hopeful that this is it... So far so good."

However, Fisher added that Monday’s morning commute may not be how the rest of the summer plays out, and that the evening commute and the Tuesday morning ride may be more telling of what to expect.

Fisher’s advice? Get to the station before 8 or after 8:45 a.m. if you can.

“I think the single biggest takeaway is that there is a tidal wave of NJ Transit commuters that begin right at 8 and the wave continues until 8:45 a.m.,” Fisher wrote on Facebook. "Around 7:50, I was speaking with Hoboken's Lt. Petrosino and several NJ Transit and PATH officials, and we had the shared observation that traffic seemed light. And then a train came in at 8 a.m. and the change was palpable. And it stayed until 8:45 when it started to dissipate.”

Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante called the morning rush hours "smooth."

• See more "Summer of Hell" updates on the Patch Hoboken Facebook page.

CROWDING THE PATH

The most hectic area of Hoboken Terminal during Monday's morning rush hour was likely the Port Authority’s PATH station.

PATH trains will be cross-honoring NJ Transit passengers at three of the system's busiest stations on weekdays during the Summer of Hell: Hoboken, 33rd Street and the World Trade Center.

• See related article: More PATH Trains May Give NJ Transit Riders Some Relief From 'Summer Of Hell'

Descending into the underground station, a moist subway-style heat greeted hordes of passengers, many of whom stood for several minutes in line at the PATH's ticket kiosks for their passes, fanning themselves with rolled up train schedules.

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Photos/Video: Eric Kiefer