NEW YORK — It could be called the calm before the storm for NJ Transit commuters.

Amtrak has ended a 10 mph speed restriction associated with its spring track inspection project on the east side of New York Penn Station.

The restriction had created a daily 15-minute delay for NJ Transit riders in and out of New York. The delay was expanded to 30 minutes near the end of the morning commute nearly every weekday.

"We are on pace to remove the remaining speed restrictions, including those on the west side of NYP prior to the summer infrastructure renewal work," Amtrak spokesman Mike Tolbert said in an email.

The east side of Penn Station is used by the Long Island Railroad and also by NJ Transit for trains to turn around in the Sunnyside Yard in Queens.

The restriction was lifted at the request of NJ Transit Executive Director Steve Santoro, who wanted it eliminated before the summer work officially starts on July 10. The railroad announced that service on the Morris & Essex Line will be affected the most with service ending in Hoboken. Passengers will pay a reduced fare and be directed to PATH or the ferry into Manhattan.

NJ Transit would not comment on progress toward the creation of the final schedules that Santoro said needed to be in place by June 19 when monthly passes go on sale for July.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

 

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