During the Phase 2 cutover (October 11 – November 15, 2026), NJ Transit operates on a single track between Newark and Secaucus while Amtrak connects the second track of Portal North Bridge. This tool shows how each line and station is affected. Station names stay in English, matching platform signs.
Am I affected?
Select your line and station above to see exactly how the cutover changes your commute.
How the cutover affects your commute
Starting October 11, the second Portal North Bridge track connection reduces NJ Transit service for five weeks. Select your line and station above to see exactly what changes for you.
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 bottleneck reduces service and can delay connecting trains. Check temporary schedules and real-time alerts before traveling.
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.
Phase 1 begins
Temporary schedules take effect. Midtown Direct weekday trains diverted to Hoboken. Single-track operation between Newark and Secaucus.
Phase 1 complete
Regular NJ Transit schedules resumed. First track on the new Portal North Bridge enters passenger service March 16.
Phase 2 announced
NJ Transit and Amtrak publish Phase 2 schedules and ticket rules for the second-track cutover.
New ticket rules begin
Midtown Direct riders should buy Hoboken monthly, weekly, or FLEXPASS tickets for October and November (valid to Penn Station NY Oct 1–10 and Nov 15–30).
Phase 2 begins
Temporary schedules take effect. Weekday Midtown Direct trains diverted to Hoboken. Single-track operation between Newark and Secaucus.
Regular schedules resume
NJ Transit regular schedules resume, subject to safety testing. Full normal service is expected November 16.
Official resources
Sources and verification
Core Phase 2 guidance was reviewed against official sources on . Read the review and its limits.
This is not live service information or verification of every train departure. Official changes may take time to appear here. Check current NJ Transit schedules and travel alerts before traveling.
Train counts & schedules
Before/after train counts, temporary schedules, and service reduction details come from:
Hoboken diversion & cross-honoring
Midtown Direct diversion details and PATH/ferry/bus cross-honoring terms from:
PATH schedules & fares
PATH travel times, frequency, and fare data from:
Ferry & bus alternatives
NY Waterway ferry and Bus 126 travel times from:
Station lists & zones
Station names, branch assignments, and zone numbers from:
Bridge history & Gateway Program
Portal Bridge history, project cost, and construction context from:
Have a correction? Submit a data correction on GitHub. Our automated validation pipeline checks 167+ data points on every update.