NJ Transit Slashing Service 50 Percent Next Month

NORTH JERSEY, NJ — NJ Transit rail riders should expect longer commutes and reduced service next month when service is slashed in half for construction.

The work likely means canceled trips to New York City next month when a track is moved from a century-old bridge over the Hackensack River to a newer bridge, NJ Transit said.

The transfer of the track, wires, and electrical systems — known as a "cut over" — is part of the Gateway Program to ultimately improve rail service from New Jersey to New York, NJ Transit.

For four weeks, NJ Transit riders may face longer commutes. The only 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, NJ Transit said.

Then, they can take a NY Waterway ferry (which will run more routes during that time), PATH, or 126 bus to Manhattan.

The changes will start on Feb. 15 and run through March 15.

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

Moving The Track

During the four weeks, the track that currently runs over the century-old Portal Bridge in Kearny will be switched to the newer North Portal Bridge.

“We understand that this work will disrupt the way our customers travel during the cutover period,” said NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri. “While the disruption is temporary, the benefits—including a far more reliable and resilient commute along the Northeast Corridor—will last for generations.”

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.

You can see the adjusted schedules and alternatives at njtransit.com/portalcutover or by clicking here.