Why Amtrak Is to Blame for a Hellish Night for New Jersey Commuters
Is Amtrak at Fault for NJ Commute Chaos?
An overhead wire issue on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor in Kearny, NJ, disrupted train services between Manhattan and Newark, affecting both Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. The incident caused extensive delays during Wednesday’s rush hour, forcing commuters to resort to expensive alternative transportation. The problem persisted into Thursday, with ongoing investigations and additional unrelated delays impacting the morning commute.
What was the geographical range of the disruption caused by the overhead wire incident?
The geographical range of the disruption caused by the overhead wire incident was quite extensive. The incident occurred in Kearny, N.J., a few miles west of New York City, on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. This resulted in halted service on Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains in both directions between Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan and Newark. The disruption affected not only these immediate areas but also rippled down the line to Philadelphia and beyond, causing passengers to be stranded along the tracks and stations to be filled with disgruntled travelers. The effects of the disruption were still present the following morning, impacting the commute for many people in the region.
How long were the delays that resulted from the incident, and how did commuters respond to these delays?
The delays resulting from the incident on Wednesday evening stretched to over four hours, causing significant disruptions to commuters. Many passengers were left stranded along the tracks and in stations, with the disruption affecting travel not just in New York but also in Philadelphia and beyond. In response to the extensive delays, many commuters gave up on the railroads and resorted to paying hefty fares for Uber and other ride-hail services to get home. The residual effects of the incident carried over into Thursday morning's commute, causing further delays and inconvenience for travelers.