Hoboken PATH Station Closed After Track Fire, Evening Commute Disrupted

A late-morning track fire caused officials to evacuate the popular transportation station, affecting thousands of commuters during evening rush hour when Hoboken trains were shut down Friday.

The Hoboken Terminal PATH station rails caught fire at 11:28 a.m., according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Port Authority Police and Hoboken Fire Department arrived shortly. The station was evacuated for safety. No injuries were recorded, officials said.

While repairs continued, Hoboken to 33rd Street and Hoboken to World Trade Center service was suspended through the evening. Transit officials said personnel required time to repair track fire damage before resuming service.

The suspension also hampered NJ Transit riders. Some Midtown Direct trains were diverted to Hoboken earlier this month due to Portal Bridge track installation. As a result, more commuters than usual were already relying on Hoboken as a transfer point.

Between 33rd Street and the World Trade Center, alternate PATH service continued to mitigate the damage. To reach Hoboken via light rail, passengers should transfer at Newport. NJ Transit said it was honoring PATH tickets at Hoboken, Exchange Place, and Newport stations.

Rail passengers had more travel possibilities. In Hoboken, Secaucus, New York Penn Station, and Newark, NJ Transit acknowledged PATH fares. Bus lines 126 and 87 accepted PATH tickets to reduce crowding and delays. NY Waterway ferry service cross-honored tickets at Hoboken and Brookfield Place to give New Jersey-Manhattan travelers another option.

NJ Transit recommended riding a train from Penn Station in New York to Newark Penn Station for alternative rail routes. Travelers could take the Newark Light Rail to Newark Broad Street Station and switch to westbound Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton trains.

Transportation officials stressed safety during track fires and other mishaps. Evacuating the station safeguarded passengers while emergency teams investigated and repaired the situation. Authorities did not reveal the fire’s cause, and work lasted into the evening to restore service.

Commuters should monitor transit updates and allow extra time before traveling. Hoboken is a significant transit hub between New Jersey and New York City, so even a brief stoppage can affect thousands of travelers during peak hours.

The incident shows how tightly interwoven the region’s transportation network is and how one unforeseen catastrophe can affect rail, bus, and ferry systems. As repairs continue, Port Authority and NJ Transit officials will give updates.