More PATH Trains May Give NJ Transit Riders Some Relief From 'Summer Of Hell'

HOBOKEN, NJ — When the "Summer of Hell" kicks off on Monday, NJ Transit train commuters may find some relief via the Port Authority’s PATH system, officials say.

On Friday, the Port Authority of NY/NJ kicked off an effort to increase train frequency between the Hoboken-33rd Street stations during both the morning and evening rush hours.

Port Authority administrators said that the effort came just in time to help ease residual delays for some NJ Transit riders during this morning's rush hour following a minor train derailment at New York's Penn Station.

• See related article: NJ Transit Train Derails On Eve Of Penn Stations 'Summer Of Hell'

According to the Port Authority, adding trains also will serve as a test run in advance of Monday's planned start by Amtrak of infrastructure enhancement work at Penn Station, which will reduce the number of NJ Transit trains to the midtown station.

• See related article: NJT Service Changes: Big Disruptions For Morris & Essex Line Commuters This Summer
• See related article: Amtrak Releases ‘Summer Of Hell’ Plan For N.J. Train Commuters

The enhanced service and deployment of extra PATH service, operations and police personnel will commence on Monday from 7 to 10 a.m. Extra trains and services also will be in effect between 4 to 8 p.m. for the evening commute, officials said.

The increased deployments of trains and staff will continue - on weekdays only - throughout the project, which is expected to last into September, Port Authority officials said.

On Monday, PATH trains will start to cross-honor NJ Transit passengers at three of its busiest stations on weekdays, officials said.

According to officials:

“The PATH will cross-honor affected NJT customers on weekdays only at the Hoboken, 33rd Street and World Trade Center PATH stations. Riders will need to produce their NJT rail tickets to be cross-honored at these PATH facilities. Cross-honoring will not be in place at the Newark Penn Station facility, where NJT is maintaining normal service.”

The Port Authority’s Office of Emergency Management is working with PATH and its regional railroad partners to develop additional contingency plans, officials said.

• See related article: Summer Of Hell: NJ Transit Will Add Buses To Some Morris, Essex Line Stations

More information on the PATH's Hoboken service changes and cross-honoring process is available throughwww.panynj.gov/TheUpdate. Additional information on adjusted PATH service and schedules is available at www.panynj.gov/PATH.

• See related article: Amid Train Delays, NJ Towns Ask NYC Bosses To Let Employees Work From Home

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