New Summer Of Hell? Hoboken PATH Trains To Be Slower Through Labor Day: Port Authority

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — After a train derailment caused a daylong suspension of PATH service between Hoboken and Manhattan on July 12, the Port Authority says they may need further repairs to the line — which means trains from Hoboken will run more slowly through Labor Day.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are moving trains at slower speeds in and out of Hoboken," Port Authority spokesperson Seth Stein told Patch late on Tuesday. "These speed restrictions will continue until replacement parts are fabricated, shipped, and installed. Trains are currently using Tracks 2 & 3, as the damaged part of the interlocking leads to Track 1."

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey had closed the Hoboken train station for a month in February for upgrades, but now believe the new equipment may need more work, they said.

Commuters have been fuming over recent delays, especially because — in a coincidence — several stuck vehicles in the Lincoln Tunnel during rush hour this month have delayed the bus option as well.

"In a possible sign of complete doom, collapse, and very bad things to come, the PATH train has started tweeting that their trains may be arriving “early or late,' " wrote Jersey City artist Amy Wilson in her "Neighborhood Character" newsletter. Sunday. "See this example and this one; there are many others and it’s a little confusing in terms of messaging."

PATH announced Tuesday that riders could use their passes on other mass transit through Friday, July 25, due to "ongoing switch issues in Hoboken."

"Starting 6 a.m. Tuesday 7/22-11:59pm Friday 7/25 due to ongoing switch issues at Hoboken, PATH is offering customers the following additional options on NJ TRANSIT Rail, NJ TRANSIT Hudson Bergen Light Rail, and New York Waterway," they wrote.

Port Authority Explains

Stein, the Port Authority spokesperson said, in a statement late Tuesday, "We sincerely appreciate our riders’ patience, and we expect speed restrictions in and out of Hoboken station to be in effect until after Labor Day weekend. During that time, we will make alternate travel options available as needed.

"Our investigation currently suggests that the derailment may have been caused or exacerbated by the design of a guard rail, a component of the new interlocking installed at Hoboken in February."

He added, "PATH Forward will mean more reliable rides but also asks our riders to bear with us as we carry out significant work on the system to make that a reality. Any failure of the new equipment is unacceptable, and we have brought in outside experts to prevent a future recurrence of these malfunctions.”

PATH train updates can be found here.