NEWARK, N.J. – After much anticipation, N.J. Transit will open its Secaucus Transfer Station Sept. 6 for weekend-only service, Executive Director George Warrington announced July 31.
“The Secaucus transfer station creates new markets, generates job growth and sparks economic development for the State of New Jersey,” said N.J. Transit Board Chairman and State Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere. “The new hub also sets the groundwork for the next generation of transportation services, such as a new two-track tunnel under the Hudson River and 100 bi-level rail cars.”
The $450 million Secaucus transfer connects 10 of N.J. Transit’s 11 rail lines, providing rail customers with new and improved regional transportation options to popular destinations such as New York, Newark International Airport, downtown Newark, Trenton, eight New Jersey universities and the Jersey Shore.
Weekday rail service at the station will be launched by the end of this year, following the opening of the lower Manhattan PATH station.
“Since last year, we have been ramping up for the opening of the Secaucus transfer station by adding more service throughout our system.” Warrington said. “This phased-in approach helps to ensure for a smoother transition as we provide our customers with new commuting and leisure travel options.”
Typically, hourly service will be available on weekends at Secaucus, although there will be some variation throughout the day. Customers should check their train schedules closely. Among the schedule highlights:
Eastbound to Hoboken:
- A Main Line train will stop at the station seven minutes after the hour.
- A Bergen County Line train will stop 12 minutes after the hour.
Eastbound to New York:
- A Morris & Essex Lines train will stop 20 minutes after the hour.
- A Northeast Corridor train will stop 24 minutes after the hour.
- A North Jersey Coast Line train will stop 29 minutes after the hour.
Westbound from New York:
- A North Jersey Coast Line train will stop 17 minutes after the hour.
- A Morris & Essex Lines train will stop 20 minutes after the hour.
- A Northeast Corridor train will stop 23 minutes after the hour.
Westbound from Hoboken
- A Bergen County Line train will stop 31 minutes after the hour.
- A Main Line train will stop 36 minutes after the hour.
Beginning Sept. 6 and during the weekend-only period, passengers who have tickets or passes for Hoboken may use the new station to transfer at Secaucus for trains to New York at no additional cost. For example, consider the rates:
- Radburn-Fair Lawn to Hoboken/New York City on the Bergen County Line. Monthly ($111), weekly ($33.50), off-peak round trip ($6), one-way ($3.95), one-way reduced fare ($1.80).
- Ridgewood to Hoboken/New York City on the Main Line. Monthly ($154), weekly ($47), off-peak round trip ($8.25), one-way ($5.50), one-way reduced fare ($2.50).
N.J. Transit’s decision to gradually phase in service at Secaucus will facilitate a smooth and safe transition, allowing customers to get accustomed to new schedules and service patterns and the station building, officials contend. Moreover, a staggered service plan will provide the time necessary to adjust service levels when PATH service is restored to lower Manhattan.
For more information, log onto: www.njtransit.com.
