Extreme heat causes NJ Transit nightmare during rush hour
NJ Transit is asking its rail customers to find another way home if possible, cross-honoring on NJ Transit or private carrier buses, PATH, or even NY Waterway ferries, as electric trains are being slowed by the heat.
"What we want people to do is use all the methods we are making available...to try and use all of those systems to get home," NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri. "It's the most excessive temperatures we have had this year."
Sagging wires temporarily stopped two trains during the commute. In one instance, a rescue train was deployed to Harrison to get about 300 customers back to Hoboken Terminal. It took about 45 minutes to tow the disabled train back to Hoboken. During that time, the air conditioning was on, and police were distributing water on the train.
Meanwhile, the Hackensack Drawbridge, a century-old bridge that crosses the Hackensack River between Secaucus and East Rutherford, got stuck open for 25 minutes because of the heat, causing delays. NJ Transit decided not to open any more rail bridges for the rest of Thursday's commute as a result.
Amid the extreme temperatures, smoke was also seen at Hoboken station after 5 p.m. after the heat sparked a fire, sending some riders running from the platform. NewsCopter 7 was over the scene where smoke was seen on track 7.
NJ Transit Latest Update
NJ TRANSIT rail service is subject to up to 60-minute delays and cancellations of select trains due to the impact on the equipment, related to the extreme temperatures. Midtown Direct service continues to be diverted to Hoboken. NJ TRANSIT rail tickets and passes are being cross honored on NJ TRANSIT and private carrier buses and PATH, at Newark Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal, and 33rd Street, New York and NY Waterway Ferry.
Customers should visit njtransit.com/ABC for available alternate service information.
