New Jersey Transit made the decision to divert Morris & Essex Line customers to Hoboken for a number of reasons:
This plan avoids overcrowding at stations and on trains throughout the entire rail system, making it the safest alternative.
Diverting M&E; trains to Hoboken will maximize rail capacity by reducing the number of train cancellations systemwide.
We have adequate capacity to safely and reliably divert M&E; trains into Hoboken with three full tracks available; we don’t have similar capacity into Hoboken from the NEC, NJCL and RV.
The alternative service options provided by New Jersey Transit are familiar and readily available to M&E; Line customers.
To explain the process of how our planners developed the temporary summer schedule, imagine four lanes of traffic on a busy highway that all had to exit onto one lane to accommodate traffic in both directions. The delays would be insurmountable. That’s what would have happened if we diverted Northeast Corridor trains into Hoboken. Due to the track configuration off of the busy Northeast Corridor to Hoboken – there is only ONE lane for traffic in and out.
New Jersey Transit is Taking Steps to Reduce Amtrak's Disruption
M&E; customers will receive about a 50% discount off the Hoboken fare – up to 63% savings for customers normally traveling to New York. View the fare chart
Dozens of additional transit ambassadors will be on the ground every day to guide customers in person and through social media.
New Jersey Transit will ensure that free alternative service options, such as the PATH, ferry and enhanced bus service, are available for customers to use. Learn more about the free cross Hudson alternatives
Four early morning M&E; Lines trains will remain in service with one-seat rides to Penn Station NY.