Am I affected?
Select your line and station above to see exactly how the cutover changes your commute.
Pick a station to get started
Route planner
Select a line above to see your options during the cutover.
What ticket should I buy?
Select a line above to see ticket guidance for the cutover period.
Navigating Hoboken Terminal
If your line is diverted to Hoboken, you may be arriving at Hoboken Terminal for the first time. Here's how to get from your train to PATH, the ferry, or Bus 126.
To PATH (33rd Street)
~5 min from train- Exit your train and walk toward the main terminal building
- Enter the historic waiting room / main concourse
- Look for PATH signs — the entrance is downstairs
- Take escalator/stairs down to PATH platform level
- Board the Hoboken → 33rd Street train
NJ Transit staff will be deployed throughout the terminal. Follow the crowds — most people will be heading to PATH.
To NY Waterway ferry
~8 min from train- Exit your train and walk through the terminal building
- Exit on the waterfront side (east side, toward the river)
- The ferry dock is along the waterfront walkway to the right
- Look for NY Waterway signage and the boarding area
- Board the ferry to W. 39th St, Midtown
Check the NY Waterway app for next departure time before leaving the terminal. Ferries run less frequently than PATH.
To Bus 126 (Port Authority)
~5 min from train- Exit your train and walk through the terminal building
- Exit on the street side (west side, away from the river)
- The bus stops are on Hudson Place, the street in front of the terminal
- Look for Bus 126 signage or ask NJ Transit staff
- Board Bus 126 to Port Authority Bus Terminal
Bus 126 goes through the Lincoln Tunnel. During peak hours, allow extra time for tunnel traffic.
Want to compare all your options side by side?
Our commute comparison tool shows you every route to your Manhattan destination with visual time breakdowns, so you can pick the fastest option for where you're actually going.
Compare commute options →Secaucus Junction: the choke point
During the cutover, only one track operates between Newark Penn Station and Secaucus Junction. This is the bottleneck that causes the 50% service reduction. Even if you don't transfer at Secaucus, delays here ripple across the entire system.
If you transfer at Secaucus
- Allow extra time. Connections that normally take 5–10 minutes may take 15–25 minutes due to single-track delays.
- Fewer trains means fewer connections. Check the temporary schedule for your specific connection — some may be eliminated.
- Follow the signs. NJ Transit is deploying extra staff at Secaucus to help with wayfinding and crowd management.
- Have a backup plan. If you miss a connection, know your next option (next train, or bus alternative).
Avoiding Secaucus entirely
- Hoboken-diverted lines (M-B, M&E, Gladstone): Your trains go to Hoboken, not through Secaucus. The bottleneck doesn't directly affect you.
- Consider Hoboken as your hub. If you can get to a Morris & Essex or Montclair-Boonton station, routing through Hoboken may be faster than fighting through Secaucus.
- Bus alternatives: NJ Transit buses that go directly to Port Authority skip Secaucus entirely.
- Drive to Newark Penn: If you normally drive to a station, consider driving directly to Newark Penn Station for a more direct NEC train to PSNY.
Delay expectations
- Peak hours (7–9am, 5–7pm): Delays of 15–30+ minutes are likely at Secaucus due to single-track operations.
- Off-peak: Delays should be shorter but still expect 5–15 minutes of added travel time.
- Cascading delays: A delay on one line backs up all lines sharing the single track. One late train affects everything behind it.
- Check real-time status: Use the NJ Transit app or njtransit.com travel alerts before leaving home.
Timeline
Cutover announced
NJ Transit and Amtrak announce the Portal North Bridge cutover schedule and temporary service changes.
New ticket rules begin
Midtown Direct riders should start buying Hoboken monthly passes (valid for Penn Station travel Feb 1–15).
Phase 1 begins
Temporary schedules take effect. Midtown Direct weekday trains diverted to Hoboken. Single-track operation between Newark and Secaucus.
Phase 1 ends (expected)
Regular schedules resume, subject to completion of safety testing. First track on the new Portal North Bridge enters service.
Phase 2
Second track cutover. Similar service disruptions expected. Dates TBA. After this, the old Portal Bridge is permanently retired.