NJ Transit rail service resumes after suspensions due to wire issues

Riders on NJ Transit are dealing with more delays Monday night after wire issues suspended two lines in and out of Newark Penn Station this morning, forcing the rail to operate with limited service. 

Crowds started building at New Yor Penn Station during the evening rush. 

The incident started when a piece of debris from overhead wire infrastructure struck the windshield of the train at North Elizabeth Station, transit officials said. The train, which was already delayed due to earlier Amtrak wire issues, lost power and became disabled. 

A rescue engine was called in to help, but the overhead wire problems led to suspensions on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast lines. 

One NJ Transit engineer was hurt during the incident and transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. No riders were hurt, according to a statement from officials.   

Gov. Sherrill on "unacceptable" delays

Gov. Mikie Sherrill called the delays "unacceptable" and tied them to the Trump administration withholding funding for the Gateway Tunnel project. 

"[President Trump] should be releasing the money as we speak, instead he's still playing political games as people in the region suffer," Sherrill said in a video posted on social media. "There's no reason for this delay. It's unacceptable for commuters." 

Construction on the $16 billion infrastructure project in New Jersey and New York remained paused Monday after a federal judge temporarily blocked the freezing of federal funds. 

NJ Transit President Kris Kolluri released a statement apologizing for Monday's troubles. 

"I want to personally apologize for the difficult and frustrating experience many of you had traveling with us this morning," Kolluri said. "I know how disruptive this was to your morning commute, and I am truly sorry for the inconvenience, uncertainty, and stress this caused." 

NJ Transit lines being affected 

The rail service was suspended on the Northeast Corridor Line between Penn Station in New York and Trenton. Service was also suspended on the North Jersey Coast Line between Penn Station in New York and Woodbridge, according to the NJ Transit website. 

Raritan Valley Line service is originating and terminating at at Newark Penn Station.       

Rail tickets and passes are being cross-honored by NJ Transit buses, private carriers and PATH at Newark, Hoboken and 33rd Street in New York.     

Earlier, officials were saying service was subject to 60-minute delays due to a disabled train near Newark. A diesel rescue engine pulled up near Newark Liberty Airport Station to try to salvage the morning commute, but it was a little too late for some riders. 

Headaches for commuters

"I was originally traveling to school in Montclair, but now I'm just trying to get home," said Nathan Carthena, who had already been on the train for four hours. 

Rider Lisa Edmonds said she was supposed to be going from Newark Penn Station to Trenton, but the train kept getting delayed. When she finally boarded, the train only traveled as far as Newark Airport.

"They made an announcement that the train lost power, and the train ahead of it. The wire broke," she said.