NJ Transit riders deal with crowds, confusion on first full Portal Bridge cutover commuter day
NJ Transit says the disruption may be inconvenient now, but the project will improve service for decades to come.
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The first full commuting day is winding down during the Portal Bridge cutover project.
Amtrak crews are working to transfer rail service from the old Portal Bridge to the new one. Work began on Feb. 15 and is expected to last a month. The project comes with multiple changes to New Jersey Transit’s schedule.
NJ Transit president and CEO Kris Kolluri greeted riders during the Tuesday morning commute to listen to their concerns.
“We’re not doing this for fun. We’re doing this because there is a brand-new bridge that’s going to open in the middle of March,” Kolluri said.
Kolluri says that he expects frustration over the next few days as riders adjust their schedules. He says once the bridge is operational, he hopes the congestion and other issues won’t be a problem.
While the project is underway, riders will be forced to get off their trains in Hoboken. The three options for getting through Hoboken and to Manhattan are by bus, ferry or PATH.
“We keep people moving. We have a lot of signs…and a lot of ambassadors to assist customers, direct them to the ferry, the PATH and Bus 126 service to New York,” says Franck Beaumin, a customer advocate for NJ Transit.
Beaumin says riders should try to avoid the rush as much as possible or travel a little after it.
See highlights from the morning commute below:
News 12's Kimberly Buk reports from Hoboken, where many people were rerouted during their morning commute.
News 12’s Tony Caputo was in Maplewood and was joined by reporters Amanda Eustice and Tom Krosnowski as they tested the ride that morning by riding the rails from Maplewood to Hoboken and then using the cross-honors to see how difficult it was to get into NYC.
Follow along on Amanda and Tom's journey:
Follow along on Amanda and Tom's journey:
News 12 reporters Amanda Eustice and Tom Krosnowski meet up with Kim Buk in Hoboken as they embark on the second leg of their journey into NYC.
News 12’s Tony Caputo saw reporters Amanda Eustice and Tom Krosnowski off as they tested the ride that morning by riding the rails from Maplewood to Hoboken and then using the cross-honors to see how difficult it was to get into NYC.
NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri is meeting with riders in Maplewood on Tuesday morning as the Portal Bridge cutover begins for the first time during a regular weekday commute.
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