There are 21 tracks heading into Penn Station, and Amtrak will be repairing three of them this summer. Not a big deal, right? Wrong. Since all 21 tracks are used during rush hour by three different railroads, the construction — which runs from July 10th through September 1st — will have a serious impact on the entire commuter rail system. If your normal routes are being disrupted, here are your options for getting into the city.
For you New Jersey Transit commuters...
If You Take the Morris & Essex Midtown Direct Line to Penn Station:
- Trains on the Morristown Line arriving in Penn Station after 7am will be diverted to Hoboken Terminal.
- Trains on the Gladstone Branch will be diverted to Hoboken Terminal.
- Once you're at the Hoboken Terminal, you can take PATH trains into Manhattan, or an NJ Waterway ferry to Pier 11/Wall St. or the World Financial Center.
- Passengers will receive about a 50 percent discount on their fares to Hoboken, plus cross-honoring for PATH and ferry service.
If You Take the Montclair-Boonton Line to Penn Station:
- Trains will run on regular weekday schedules, with minor time changes.
If You Take the Raritan Valley Line to Penn Station:
- Trains will run on regular weekday schedules, with time changes.
If You Take the Main/Bergen County Line to Penn Station:
- Trains will run on regular weekday schedules, with adjustments to connecting times at Secaucus.
If You Take the Northeast Corridor Line to Penn Station:
- Trains will run on regular weekday schedules, with minor time changes.
If You Take the North Jersey Coast Line to Penn Station:
- Trains will run on regular weekday schedules, with minor time changes.
And for you Long Islanders...
Schedule changes will affect LIRR riders commuting from the Babylon, Far Rockaway, Long Beach, Montauk, Port Jefferson, Port Washington, Ronkonkoma, and West Hempstead branches.
The LIRR has published a complete, interactive site for checking time changes and your best alternative route. Among the options:
Park & Ride Bus Service
- Buses leaving Melville, Bethpage, North Hempstead Beach, Nassau Coliseum, Seaford, Roosevelt Field Mall, Valley Stream, and Belmont Race Track will drop off passengers in Manhattan on 34th Street and at Grand Central Station. [UPDATE: Due to low demand, service is being cancelled at North Hempstead Beach, Roosevelt Field Mall, and Bethpage State Park starting July 13]
- Return buses will pick up passengers at 34th Street, Lexington Ave, and 42nd Street.
- These buses, which vary in capacity, will be free for LIRR monthly and weekly ticket holders.
- LIRR commuter trains stopping at Atlantic Terminal, Jamaica, and Hunterspoint Avenue offer the ability to transfer to a subway.
- 6:10 a.m. ferry to Wall St./Pier 11
- 6:35 a.m. ferry to 34th Street
- 4:30 p.m. ferry from Wall St./Pier 11
- 6:20 p.m. ferry from 34th Street
- Ferries are free for LIRR ticket holders
- Morning ferries to 34th Street leave at 7:10 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 8:55 a.m., and 9:35 a.m.
- Evening ferries leaving 34th Street depart at 3:40 p.m., 4:11 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 5:52 p.m., and 6:10 p.m.
- All ferries connect to Hunterspoint Train Station via shuttle buses
- Ferries are free for LIRR ticketholders
Ferry To/From Long Island City
- 7:50 a.m. and 9:47 a.m. ferries depart to 34th Street
- 5:00 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. ferries leave 34th Street
- Riders can walk to nearby Long Island City train station
- Ferries are free for LIRR ticketholders
If You Commute to Penn Station on Amtrak's Empire Service Trains:
- Three round trip trains will operate between Albany-Rensselaer and Grand Central Terminal.
WNYC can’t fix Penn Station. But we can give voice to your frustration, hold those in charge accountable, and find creative ways to make the commute more pleasant. Join 'We the Commuters' to have your voice heard, and you'll get tips and inspiration around this summer's transit disruptions sent to your inbox each morning.