Major rail delays are impacting post-holiday commutes across New Jersey and the Northeast Corridor

New Jersey

By: Richard L Smith

Commuters returning to work and school after the holiday weekend faced significant disruption Monday morning as rail service came to a standstill across New Jersey and the Northeast Corridor.

The delays caused by damaged overhead power lines near Newark affected thousands of travelers who rely on New Jersey Transit and Amtrak.

Amtrak says service between Philadelphia and New York along the busy Northeast Corridor will be temporarily suspended as crews work to repair cable damage.

Amtrak expects service to be restored by midday but warns of possible remaining delays.

New Jersey Transit was also severely impacted. Rail service on the North Jersey Coast Line and Northeast Corridor is suspended in both directions.

For those traveling to and from Penn Station in New York, Raritan Valley Line trains are experiencing delays of up to 60 minutes.

Additionally, Midtown Direct trains that normally serve Penn Station will be rerouted to Hoboken.

Amtrak acknowledged the severity of the disruption and stated, “Our teams are working diligently to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.”

Commuters are urged to plan alternative routes and expect longer travel times.

The collapse comes at a critical time as thousands try to return to their routines after the long weekend.

The disruption is straining the fragile state of aging infrastructure along one of the country’s busiest rail corridors and raising concerns about the route of the state’s transportation system that serves the region.

Travelers are advised to keep an eye on updates from New Jersey Transit and Amtrak as repair work continues throughout the morning.