For five weeks, every weekday Montclair-Boonton train will end in Hoboken.
Amtrak and NJ Transit begin moving the last track from the 116-year-old Portal Bridge to the new Portal North Bridge on Friday evening, Oct. 9. NJ Transit says this is the project’s final service disruption.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Fri., Oct. 9 | Cutover work begins in the evening |
| Sun., Oct. 11 | Adjusted schedules take effect |
| Mon., Oct. 12 | First Hoboken-only weekday (Columbus Day runs the cutover weekday schedule) |
| Sun., Nov. 15 | Regular schedules resume, pending safety testing |
| Mon., Nov. 16 | Full return to normal weekday service |
Weekdays
No Montclair trains will run to Penn Station on weekdays, and the line drops from 64 weekday trains to 60, according to NJ Transit. Buy tickets and passes to Hoboken. From Hoboken, NJ Transit cross-honors those tickets on:
- PATH to 33rd Street
- NY Waterway ferry to West 39th Street (Pier 79), including NY Waterway’s connecting buses from the Midtown terminal
- NJ Transit’s 126 bus to Port Authority Bus Terminal
The cutover timetable also lists PATH times to the World Trade Center and ferry times to the World Financial Center, but NJ Transit’s cross-honoring covers only PATH to 33rd Street and the ferry to West 39th Street. NJ Transit says riders traveling beyond the destination on their ticket may owe an additional fare.
A sample morning commute: the 7:21 a.m. from Bay Street reaches Hoboken at 7:49 and connects to a PATH train arriving at 33rd Street at 8:15.
NJ Transit warns that the Hoboken connections will be crowded at peak hours. It recommends working from home if you can. Otherwise, travel before 7 a.m. or after 9 a.m. in the morning, and before 4 p.m. or after 7 p.m. in the evening. If the Hoboken route doesn’t work for you, our guide to commuting to NYC from Montclair covers the town’s express bus options.
Related: Montclair Wants More Trains. A New Survey Shows Just How Much
Weekends
Weekend trains still leave Bay Street every two hours, but at new times, and stop at Glen Ridge, Bloomfield and Watsessing Avenue. At Newark Broad Street, riders can stay on to Hoboken or switch to a connecting train to Penn Station. For example, the 8:31 a.m. from Bay Street reaches New York at 9:13. The last weekend connections back to Montclair run about 30 minutes earlier than usual. Infrequent weekend service was already the top barrier keeping residents off trains and buses in a township survey this spring.
- Pass holders: Hoboken monthly and weekly passes and FLEXPASS are honored to Penn Station on weekends.
- One-way riders: Buy a New York ticket. Hoboken one-way tickets won’t be accepted to Penn Station on weekends.
Getting to the station: 11 Big Takeaways From Montclair’s New Jitney Report
Why it’s happening
The old swing bridge must rotate open for boats. The new fixed span rises 50 feet over the Hackensack River, double the old clearance. Building it is NJ Transit’s largest construction contract ever: $1.56 billion, awarded to Skanska/Traylor Bros. in 2021. Demolition of the old bridge begins early next year and won’t require service changes, officials say.
Useful links
- NJ Transit Portal Cutover page
- Montclair-Boonton cutover timetables: weekday | weekend
- Latest service advisory
- Alerts: the NJ Transit app and @NJTRANSIT_MOBO on X
FAQ
Do I need a different monthly pass?
Yes. Buy a Hoboken pass for October and November. It’s valid to Penn Station Oct. 1–10 and Nov. 15–30.
Will the Hoboken route cost more?
Not if you stick to the cross-honored routes. NJ Transit says a Hoboken ticket plus PATH or the ferry can save up to 25% per trip.
Is Columbus Day a holiday schedule?
No. Oct. 12 runs the cutover weekday schedule.
Will this happen again?
NJ Transit says this is the project’s last disruption.
More from The Montclair Pod
- The Complete (& Only Mildly Infuriating) Guide to Commuting to NYC from Montclair
- Montclair Wants More Trains. A New Survey Shows Just How Much
- 11 Big Takeaways From Montclair’s New Jitney Report
- Montclair Weighs Bringing Back a Town Shuttle
- Montclair Road Closures: What’s Closed and Why
Sources: NJ Transit press release (Sept. 17); NJ Transit Portal Cutover page; NJ Transit/Amtrak briefing document; Montclair-Boonton cutover timetables; PIX11.
Image credit: Amtrak.
