SECAUCUS, NJ — NJ Transit and Amtrak trains are back in service after a fire and overhead wire problems service suspended for hours during the Thursday evening rush hour.
NJ Transit appeared to be running on schedule Friday morning, but Amtrak canceled some Acela and Northeast Regional trains after remaining delays continued into the night.
Amtrak, NJ Transit riders were stuck for hours
Transit leaders blamed a combination of a forest fire in Secaucus, New Jersey and overhead wire problems for causing the evening rush hour suspension on a flight outside New York City.
Amtrak trains along the Northeast Corridor were suspended from Philadelphia to New Haven, Connecticut.
Riders complained about a lack of communication and updates, and said they struggled to find alternate routes home.
“I think this needs to be addressed. Clearly something is happening operationally,” Marisa Roitman said.
“So it’s quite frustrating and I think quite dangerous with all these gangs, you know, we’re all congregating like that, in such large crowds of people trying to get through the alleys and the stairwells for alternative transportation,” said David Freeman.
Not the first time in 2024
It was the second time this week that the trains were stopped. Overhead lines and a faulty train left commuters stranded for hours on Tuesday.
In May, a power outage caused by overhead wires falling on the tracks, halted Amtrak and NJ Transit service for hours at the start of rush hour. Gov. Phil Murphy called it “an absolute disaster” by Amtrak.
Meanwhile, NJ Transit fares will increase on July 1.
