Limited NJ Transit train service after snowstorm leaves commuters frustrated

NJ Transit rail service resumed Tuesday after this weekend's shutdown due to the storm. 

The service is operating on a severe weather schedule, meaning fewer trains are running. Officials said passengers will see plenty of delays as the system is still recovering.

"It was packed"

Officials said the slow return is needed after tracks, rail yards and switches were overwhelmed by the major snowstorm. New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill suspended the service due to the extreme weather.

Operations started back up Monday and are continuing Tuesday. Riders should expect fewer trains, longer waits and delays across the system. The slow return allows crews to make sure the rail infrastructure is working, especially on busy Northeast Corridor lines. 

The only rail service operating on a regular schedule is the Atlantic City Rail Line.

Passengers in the morning were upset about the delays and crowded conditions. 

"It takes me 23 minutes to get to work on a normal day, and because of this, it's two hours," passenger Sybil Questelle said. "It was packed. Very, very packed."

NJ Transit president urges passengers to be cautious

NJ Transit president and CEO Kris Kolluri told CBS News New York more trains are operating for Tuesday night's commute. 

"When we did the press conference yesterday, I said in very clear terms this is a first day back, we are running on a weekend schedule. But what we did is we added additional trains, and on the way back this afternoon, we are going to add more trains, and tomorrow we'll be back to our regular schedule," Kolluri said. 

Kolluri said recovering from the storm is no easy task. 

"It takes time for the infrastructure to recover, obviously. We had frozen switches, frozen infrastructure, frozen mechanical systems. Our job is to make sure we have the crews and the equipment to run a safe system," Kolluri said. 

He urged riders to be cautious. 

"We are asking for exercising of common sense for people who ride the system. You've got to be careful. I don't want people falling in between the train and the platform," he said. 

Officials said bus routes, Light Rail services and the Access Link are operating on a regular weekday schedule.

Customers should expect delays on buses and the Access Link as roadways continue to be cleared. 

For the latest NJ Transit service updates, please click here.