NJ Transit: Full NYPS Rail Service To Resume As 'Summer Of Hell' Ends

There is a light at the end of the tunnel for the “Summer of Hell.” NJ Transit officials have announced that the agency will restore full rail service at New York Penn Station starting on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Now that phase one of Amtrak’s track renewal project at New York Penn Station (NYPS) is complete, all Morris & Essex Lines (M&E) Midtown Direct trains will resume service to and from PSNY and will no longer be diverted to Hoboken, NJ Transit announced Thursday afternoon.

North Jersey Coast Line trains will resume operating into Hoboken Terminal, NJ Transit stated.

“With the anticipated resumption of full service at NYPS, NJ Transit’s alternate travel options, discounted fares and cross-honoring will conclude,” the agency stated.

Morning peak-period express buses from Morristown, Madison, Summit, Maplewood, South Orange and Newark Broad Street to the Port Authority Bus Terminal will no longer operate. Cross-honoring with private bus carriers, PATH and NY Waterway will end on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 3 a.m.

NJ Transit stated:

“New NJ TRANSIT weekday rail schedules will take effect Tuesday, Sept. 5, following a two-month modified service plan that enabled Amtrak to complete a series of major infrastructure projects aimed at improving reliability and safety at NYPS. All NJ Transit rail customers are strongly advised to check the new schedules for specific departure times and station stops.”

NY Waterway’s new ferry service between Hoboken and West 39th Street in New York will continue to operate after full service is restored at PSNY and be available to the general public.

Ferry service between Hoboken and West 39th Street will no longer cross-honor NJ Transit rail tickets and passes after Friday, Sept. 1, the agency stated.

All fare discounts, substitute and enhanced bus services, as well as cross-honoring on bus, rail, light rail, PATH and NY Waterway ferry services in effect during the modified schedule between July 10 and Sept. 1 is expected to end at 3 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2. Additionally, new weekday rail schedules are expected to take effect on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Get more information about the NJ Transit schedule changes here.

Amtrak announced Thursday morning that it had nearly completed major repair work at NYPS,

“We thank customers for their patience while we renew the infrastructure at New York Penn Station. We also appreciate the collaboration and support of our commuter partners, NJ TRANSIT and the Long Island Rail Road,” Amtrak co-CEO Wick Moorman said in a statement.

• See related article: Penn Station Ready To Resume Regular NJ Transit, LIRR Service Sept. 5

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Photo: Eric Kiefer