PortalCutover.com Is Live

The final Portal Bridge cutover is coming, and Boxcar is preparing for one of the biggest commuting disruptions of the year.

From October 12th through November 15th, some transit riders should expect temporary schedule changes and reduced rail flexibility as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.

To make the next few weeks easier to navigate, we launched PortalCutover.com.

The site is designed to be a simple resource for commuters looking for information about the cutover, Boxcar service, schedules, and alternative ways to get into Manhattan.

What is the Portal Bridge cutover?

The Portal Bridge is one of the most important rail links between New Jersey and New York.

As part of the final transition to the new Portal North Bridge, rail service will operate under temporary schedules while the new infrastructure is brought online.

For commuters, that can mean Midtown trains diverted to Hoboken, fewer options, schedule changes, and a less predictable trip into the city.

That is where Boxcar comes in.

More Boxcar service for the cutover

We have been preparing for this cutover for months.

Boxcar is hoping to add 2,400 seats across our commuter network, including additional service on several of our busiest routes/launching new ones.

We have already added a new Lower Ridgeliner Route, 800 seats, and have hundreds of requests for additional service.

If Boxcar does not currently serve your town, you can now help us decide where we should expand next.

Visit PortalCutover.com/campaigns to request a new Boxcar route and show us where demand is growing. We’ll be tracking the most requested locations throughout the cutover and will be trying to add service on the route with the strongest demand.

Why we built PortalCutover.com

During major transit disruptions, information can get complicated quickly.

Our goal with PortalCutover.com is to put the most important information in one place.

Whether you are a longtime Boxcar rider, an NJ TRANSIT commuter looking for another option, or someone trying Boxcar for the first time, the site will help you understand what is happening and what alternatives are available.

We will continue updating the site as the cutover progresses.

What is Boxcar?

Boxcar operates business-class commuter buses from communities across New Jersey directly into Manhattan.

Our buses offer:

• Comfortable reserved seating
• Wi-Fi
• Power outlets
• Extra legroom
• Bathrooms on most coaches
• Direct service into Midtown Manhattan

Instead of transferring between trains, waiting on platforms, or worrying about overcrowding, riders can reserve a seat in advance and commute directly into the city.

Book early

Demand during previous transit disruptions has been extremely high, and several Boxcar buses are already selling out well in advance.

If you know which days you plan to commute during the Portal Bridge cutover, we strongly recommend booking ahead.

Tickets are available now in the Boxcar app.

For the latest information throughout the cutover, visit PortalCutover.com.

We will keep adding service wherever demand supports it and will continue doing everything we can to give New Jersey commuters another reliable way into Manhattan.

Team Boxcar

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