Move Allows Riders to Try Out Alternate Travel Plans in Advance of Possible of NJ Transit Work Stoppage
Buses and Ferries Available for Metro-North’s West-of-Hudson Customers
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that it will help Metro-North Railroad’s Port Jervis Line and Pascack Valley Line customers begin to prepare for a possible work stoppage by NJ Transit locomotive engineers by starting to cross-honor West of Hudson tickets from New York stations starting tomorrow, Monday, May 12. Starting the cross-honoring early will give customers an opportunity to create a travel plan that is best for them and minimize disruption to their schedules in the event of a work stoppage. The possible job action could begin as early as 12:01 a.m., Friday, May 16 if a labor agreement isn’t reached between NJ Transit, which operates those lines, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.
“Metro-North is cross-honoring fares early so our West of Hudson customers are able to plan and try out an alternate route if the New Jersey Transit locomotive engineers enact a work stoppage at the end of this week,” said Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek. “After extensive preparation, Metro-North has a comprehensive plan in place to make sure our West of Hudson customers endure as little inconvenience as possible for the duration of any New Jersey Transit work stoppage.”
Starting tomorrow, 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.