Buses and Ferries Available for Metro-North’s West-of-Hudson Customers
Metro-North Will Cross-Honor Port Jervis Line and Pascack Valley Line Tickets on the Hudson and Harlem Lines
See Video of Today’s Press Conference
See B-Roll Video from Tarrytown Metro-North Station
See Photos Of Today's Press Conference
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced it is prepared to help Metro-North Railroad’s Port Jervis Line and Pascack Valley Line customers get to and from New York City during any potential disruption of train service if a labor agreement isn’t reached between NJ Transit, which operates those lines, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. The possible job action could begin as early as 12:01 a.m., Friday, May 16.
“While the MTA is not part of this labor dispute, we may be affected by it and we’re taking steps to minimize disruptions for MTA customers,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “We will be cross-honoring West of Hudson tickets and supporting a range of alternative travel options and riders in Orange County and Rockland County should sign up for service alerts for the latest information.”
“Metro-North is ready to help our West of Hudson customers get to where they need to go if New Jersey Transit locomotive engineers go on strike,” said Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek. “Our personnel have been planning alternatives for weeks and we strongly encourage customers to cross the river and use our highly reliable rail options for the duration of any New Jersey Transit work stoppage.”
“The safety and convenience of the traveling public are fundamental priorities of the State Department of Transportation, and we stand ready to provide service to commuters in Orange and Rockland counties as they seek transportation alternatives,” said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “We urge everyone to plan ahead and explore the many other West of Hudson transit options available, including the Hudson Link express bus service, to help them get where they need to go safely in the event of a NJ Transit service disruption.”
Starting Monday, May 12, Metro-North conductors on Hudson Line and Harlem Line trains will honor tickets from stations in Rockland County and Orange County, giving customers the opportunity to create an alternate travel plan to reach New York City. The MTA encourages customers impacted by any outage to consider alternative transportation options that are outlined below.
Alternate Travel Information
Metro-North Cross-Hudson Ferries
The Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry, which connects to Ossining Station on the Hudson Line, will cross-honor Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Line tickets. Free parking is available at Haverstraw.
The Newburgh-Beacon Ferry continues to be replaced by shuttle bus service and connects to Beacon Station on the Hudson Line. It will cross-honor Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Line tickets. Free parking is available at Newburgh.
Hudson Link Bus Service
Metro-North encourages customers to consider taking one of the Hudson Link buses, connecting Suffern, Spring Valley, Palisades Mall and other locations with nearby Metro-North stations at Tarrytown and White Plains. Parking is available along the Hudson Link bus network. A step-up fare may be required for Hudson Link Bus travel, payable at Hudson Link kiosks or on their website/app. Metro-North will cross-honor West of Hudson rail tickets on the Hudson and Harlem Lines. Find out more information here: Homepage - Hudson Link
Leprechaun Lines
For travel between Newburgh and Beacon, Leprechaun Lines has a full schedule of service. Find out more about Leprechaun Lines buses here: Newburgh, Beacon, Stewart Shuttle - Leprechaun Lines
Private Buses
Coach Bus USA offers bus service between Port Jervis and Manhattan. Details about their service are available via their website, https://www.coachusa.com/. Monsey Trails Monsey Trails | Routes and Monroe Bus Lines offer service to Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Please see each company’s website for specific details.
Parking at Metro-North Hudson Line & Harlem Line Stations
Driving directly to Metro-North Stations east of the Hudson is also an option, although parking can be limited depending on the station and additional parking fees may be required. Parking on the west side of the river and using some of the cross-Hudson travel options listed above may make for an easier commute. Customers who drive to a Metro-North station east of the Hudson can find more about station parking lot capacities and fees here: https://www.mta.info/stations
West of Hudson parking passes will be cross-honored for customers to park in the Hudson Line lots at Cortlandt, Beacon, New Hamburg, Poughkeepsie and on the Harlem Line at North White Plains. Parking at other Hudson and Harlem Line stations is subject to local parking fees.
Driving farther away to stations on Metro-North’s New Haven Line is not recommended. Parking is generally more expensive or restricted by residential permits, and rail tickets, which are collected jointly through bi-state agreement with Connecticut, will not be cross-honored.
Ways to Stay Informed
The MTA will post information to its website at https://www.mta.info/article/prepare-possible-nj-transit-disruptions-port-jervis-and-pascack-valley-lines
The MTA encourages customers to sign up for service alerts to make as informed travel choices as possible: https://www.mta.info/guides/service-alerts