Items in red is updated info

Hoboken Terminal was built in 1907 by the Delaware, Lackawanna, & Western Railroad, and is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Years ago, the terminal was a busy hub for Ellis Island immigrants traveling by train to western portions of the country, and by local residents traveling to and from New York City.

Today, the terminal plays a vital role in New Jersey's transportation system. Hoboken Terminal is a multi-modal transportation center for the northern and central portions of the state and is served by numerous NJ TRANSIT bus and commuter rail lines, the PATH rapid rail system to New York City, Jersey City and Newark, and NY Waterway ferry service to lower Manhattan.

NJ TRANSIT's overall goals include preserving the terminal's heritage as a transportation center, improving the facility's physical structure and amenities, and accommodating more riders.

Over the past three years, NJ TRANSIT has been working on a multi-faceted project to restore and preserve the terminal and rail yard. The following projects represent some of the 25 separate works that are in various stages of development, from planning to construction.

PASSENGER CONCOURSE IMPROVEMENTS

New storefront facades are being constructed with materials compatible with the historic Beaux-Arts architecture of the terminal. Work on the first phase of this project should be completed by the summer of 1997, with new tenants moving in later this year.

To improve the concourse area, we are creating a new Food Court which will offer a diverse selection of food and beverages. This area was designed to allow in more natural light and provide passengers with an upgraded and modern facility.

We have also completed a new Customer Service Office and Rail Operations Control Center at the far end of the Passenger Concourse.

WAITING ROOM RESTORATION

The Waiting Room walls, ceiling, Grand Staircase and stained glass Tiffany skylight will be renovated. In addition, the west wall of the Waiting Room will be restored to its 1907 configuration. This restoration project is scheduled to begin next winter, and will continue through the end of 1998.

ROOF REPAIRS

In 1996, we completed repairs on the ornamental copper roof of the terminal and stained glass Tiffany skylights on the old ferry concourse roof. Additional work was performed to strengthen the structural supports holding the Erie-Lackawanna sign facing Manhattan on the ferry terminal's roof.

ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS

Platforms were renovated in 1996 and tactile safety warning strips were installed on the edge of each platform. These strips are yellow and have a raised, textured surface which will help passengers easily detect the edge of the platform.

To assist customers with physical impairments, we placed portable lifts at every platform. These mobile lifts provide easier access on and off trains by mechanically raising or lower customers to a level even with the train floor or station platform.

In the Waiting Room, a ticket counter was lowered to comfortably allow all customers to reach the counter.

For customers connecting with PATH service to New York, additional access to PATH's platform level can be made from an elevator located adjacent to the terminal on Hudson Place.

COMMUNICATIONS UPGRADES

Three liquid crystal display (LCD) departure and information boards and smaller track side indicator boards were installed along the Passenger Concourse and in the Waiting Room during 1995.

In the near future, NJ TRANSIT will install Metro Vision monitors throughout Hoboken Terminal. This system will provide passengers with transit information, as well as current news, weather and sports.

FUTURE PROJECTS

NJ TRANSIT will work on several projects over the next decade to improve and preserve Hoboken Terminal. Some of these projects include :

• Construction of a Transit Station for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Project.

• Construction of a private office facility above the Hoboken PATH Station.

• Construction of an improved bus terminal.

• Reinforcement of the foundations supporting the terminal and rebuilding the north wall of the ferry concourse.

• Reconfiguration of the train yards to increase train storage capacity, upgrade diesel fueling facilities, centralize yard maintenance functions and create new, modern work areas for employees.

• Adaptive reuse and restoration of the second floor ferry terminal concourse and development of this space for retail and/or community use.

• Restoration of the original ferry slips for passenger service.

Distributed by NJ TRANSIT in March 1996
Updated in May 1997