HOBOKEN — Over the weekend, N.J. Transit implemented cuts to its Light Rail service. Effective Aug. 28, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail began operating a new weekend service pattern.
Direct service between Tonnelle Avenue and Hoboken Terminal will no longer operate on the weekends and holidays. The new weekend and holiday routes will be between Hoboken Terminal and 22nd Street/Bayonne, and between Tonnelle Avenue and West Side Avenue.
If traveling between Hoboken Terminal and Tonnelle Avenue on the weekends or holidays, riders will have to board a West Side Avenue bound train, travel to Pavonia-Newport, and then transfer across the platform to a Hoboken-bound train.
When traveling from Hoboken to stations north, riders need to board a 22nd Street bound train, and transfer at Pavonia-Newport to a Tonnelle Avenue-bound train.
The service changes caught the attention of Hoboken 4th ward council candidate Tim Occhipinti, who released a statement on Tuesday regarding the cuts in service.
“New Jersey Transit’s decision to suspend direct Light Rail service between the Hoboken Terminal and the two other stations located around the community on weekends and holidays harms the quality of life of the people of Hoboken and especially the residents of the 4th Ward,” Occhipinti said in a press release. “Forcing residents to ride to the Pavonia/Newport station, get off the train and wait for another train to return to Hoboken is inconvenient, inefficient and wholly neglects the needs of the residents of Hoboken as well as visitors to our city.”
Occhipinti said he believes retail stores and restaurants will suffer because of the service termination, saying that two recently opened 4th ward establishments depend on Light Rail service.
“I am confident that our elected officials agree with me that direct Light Rail service for the people of Hoboken and especially the residents of the 4th Ward must be restored,” Occhipinti said. “That is why I am calling on State Sen. Brian Stack and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos Jr. to join me in the effort to ensure that New Jersey Transit swiftly restores direct service on the Light Rail in our city.” – RS