Amtrak, NJ Transit riders face residual delays for morning rush. Here's the latest for the commute.
NEW YORK -- Amtrak and NJ Transit riders should expect residual delays Thursday morning, a day after downed wires caused major problems for the evening rush.
Amtrak says it plans to run a regular schedule, but NJ Transit says customers should prepare for some delays and cancelations due to crew and equipment availability.
The problems started right around the evening rush at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Kearny, New Jersey and delayed the commute home for many.
Amtrak initially sent out an alert saying service between New York City and Newark was suspended due to downed overhead wires on the tracks. In an update, the railroad later said service between New York City and Philadelphia was also impacted.
Around 9:30 p.m., crews restored a single track between New York City and Newark, allowing for limited travel.
Several NJ Transit lines also experienced delays, with Midtown Direct service being diverted to Hoboken.
Frustration for commuters
Video from Chopper 2 showed crowds of people outside Newark-Penn Station and trains sitting on the tracks in Elizabeth.
Wednesday marked the second day in a row there were significant disruptions on NJ Transit, due to the same issue.
"I was actually just raving about it. I was tired of air travel and I was like, 'Oh, this is great.' So this is very unexpected," Ana Maria Lopez of Caldwell said.
"Every single day day it's a problem with the train," one commuter said. "I'm not gonna sit here and wait for no train. Either way, I can't get to work regardless."
"We were commuting home and decided to have a few drinks, which was a bad idea because now were struck," another said.
"There's nothing you can do except accept it," another added.
There was a long line at the Amtrak ticket window in Moynihan Train Hall. Samantha Taylor and her family, who were visiting from India and headed to Philadelphia, were among those stuck in New York City.
"We saw it on the app that it was canceled, so we checked for the next train -- nothing available for today," Taylor said.
"Everything is delayed. I sent everything to my supervisor because I don't think I'm gonna be able to make it to Trenton," said Lamesha Taylor of the Bronx.
"There's no buses that go that way," added Yolanda Crudup of Ewing Township, New Jersey.
Amtrak said customers should call its reservation center for help making changes. Meanwhile, tickets were being cross-honored with NJ Transit, as well as PATH and private buses.
