New Jersey Port Jervis trains replaced by buses during major track maintenance

New Jersey commuters using the Port Jervis Line are facing temporary service changes as NJ Transit carries out major track maintenance between Suffern and Port Jervis.

Beginning October 11, weekday midday off-peak trains on the Port Jervis Line will be replaced by buses through November 14. NJ Transit says eight weekday midday trains will be replaced by substitute buses during the construction period.

Passengers will still be able to travel between the affected communities, but they should expect a different journey because buses will replace trains during the affected midday periods.

Rail connections will be available at Ramsey Route 17, according to NJ Transit. Riders should therefore check the temporary timetable before traveling, particularly if they normally depend on a midday Port Jervis Line train.

The work is taking place at the same time as the final construction phase of the new Portal North Bridge. NJ Transit and Amtrak are using the period of reduced rail traffic to complete several infrastructure projects across the regional rail system.

The Portal North Bridge work will also affect other NJ Transit rail lines beginning October 11. Most lines will have modified schedules, while some trains will be consolidated or canceled during the approximately five-week construction period.

For Port Jervis Line passengers, the most important change is the replacement of selected weekday midday trains with buses. Morning and evening service may operate differently from the temporary midday arrangements, so passengers should not assume their normal schedule will remain unchanged.

NJ Transit is advising all affected rail customers to review the temporary schedules before traveling and allow additional time for their journeys.

The broader construction work is scheduled to continue through November 14, with regular NJ Transit schedules expected to resume November 15, subject to completion of safety testing.

The long-term goal is to improve the reliability and capacity of the regional rail network. The new Portal North Bridge will replace the more than 110-year-old swing bridge over the Hackensack River and is designed to reduce bridge-related delays.

For commuters, however, the immediate priority is planning ahead. Passengers traveling on the Port Jervis Line during the construction period should check NJ Transit service information before leaving home and allow extra time when a bus connection is required.

The temporary changes may be inconvenient, but NJ Transit says the infrastructure work is necessary to complete major improvements that are expected to provide more reliable rail service in the future.