Impact of NYC Penn Station track repairs will be limited to North Jersey

Governor Chris Christie said an agreement between Amtrak and New Jersey Transit will limit disruptions for commuters this summer as aging tracks and equipment are replaced at New York’s Penn Station.

Christie said only the Morris and Essex Line’s Midtown Direct train service will be affected by the work that will be done over an eight-week period from July through Labor Day.

“For three-quarters of the New Jersey Transit customers travel patterns will not be modified in any way including the Trenton to New York Northeast Corridor Line.”

The Morris and Essex Line will end in Hoboken and riders will get a transfer to take PATH trains or a ferry to Manhattan. Christie said fares on that line will be reduced 56 to 63 percent while repairs are underway.

“I hope what it acknowledges in the commuters’ mind is that the state of New Jersey is acknowledging that this is lesser serving, acknowledging their frustration, and trying to give them some financial relief.”

That will add up to a drop of about $15 million in New Jersey Transit revenue.