Rockland Works Out Repair Work Deal With NJ Transit, Metro-North

"Due to our efforts, Rockland commuters who use the rails will now have more options during this maintenance project," Day said. "We hope that the actions we took make it a little easier for Rockland commuters to get where they need to go."

NJ Transit and Metro-North have agreed to cross-honor Pascack Valley Line monthly and weekly passes on both weekdays and weekends on both the Hudson Line and the Main/Bergen line, the County Executive said.

Commuters on the Pascack Valley Line were notified late last week that rail service would be interrupted for six weeks beginning on Sunday, Sept. 17.

They were told that substitute buses would run in place of trains from the station between Spring Valley and Secaucus.

"It was unacceptable to us that customers were only given a week's notice and were only told after they had purchased their monthly passes," Day said.

Day said that while he understands that grade crossing repair, signal and track maintenance work must be done, the commuter lines have a responsibility to riders.

"NJ Transit must do better to notify customers and the County in a timely manner, and Metro-North must do more to oversee its operating contract with NJ Transit, to ensure that Rockland County commuters are properly served," he said.

Day directed the Department of Public Transportation to reach out to NJ Transit and Metro-North to express the county's frustration with the short notice and lack of communication for Rockland commuters who use the Pascack Valley Line.

The agencies were also told that commuters and Rockland County government were angry with the 8:50 a.m. train called a "midday" train, as well as the initial lack of ticket cross-honoring.

While busing is in effect:

• Metro-North has agreed to cross-honor monthly and weekly Pascack Valley Line passes on the Hudson Line at Tarrytown Station for travel to/from Grand Central.
• NJ Transit has agreed to honor Pascack Valley Line passes on Main/Bergen line trains.
• Rockland County will cross-honor Pascack Valley Line tickets on its TAPPAN ZEExpress buses for commuters who wish to access the Hudson Line at Tarrytown.

For TAPPAN ZEExpress bus schedules or links to other transit schedules and information, go here. 

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