NJ Transit, Amtrak running limited service due to downed wires in Edison, N.J.
EDISON, N.J. -- Amtrak and New Jersey Transit are running limited service after major problems along the Northeast Corridor on Monday.
Amtrak said downed power lines over the tracks caused the issues after a car hit a pole on Talmadge Road in Edison, New Jersey.
Service between New York and Philadelphia was temporarily suspended or modified.
SERVICE UPDATE: Service has resumed between Philadelphia (PHL) and New York (NYP) after an earlier delay caused by downed powerlines. Residual delays are expected.
— Amtrak Northeast (@AmtrakNECAlerts) May 2, 2022
NJ Transit suspended service between Trenton and Rahway, causing trains to back up at New York Penn Station.
Two tracks in Edison were restored by 1 p.m. as crews spent hours carefully making repairs.
.@NJTRANSIT_NEC rail service is suspended in both directions between Rahway and Trenton due to Amtrak overhead wire issues near Edison. NJT rail tickets and passes are being cross-honored by NJ TRANSIT bus, private carriers and PATH at Newark Penn Station, Hoboken and 33rd St-NY. pic.twitter.com/sWuBbwdA1b
— NJ TRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) May 2, 2022
Amtrak officials said commuters should continue to expect delays as service resumes.
Follow live updates below.
Commuter confusion
Commuter confusion started early on Monday.
Southbound commuters at the Rahway station said they made it all the way there before being notified by NJ Transit staff that rail service was suspended.
They were told to catch another train, then a bus, CBS2's Nick Caloway reported.
"No one said anything to us, and we just sat there. And then the train started going back to New York. We're scared, like what happened?" said Willingboro resident Kayyisa Williams.
Williams finished a 16-shift at a hospital in New York and was desperately trying to make is back to her home near Trenton.
"I don't know, hopefully I get home soon to go to sleep," she said. "Thank God I don't have to go to work tomorrow."
"Yeah it's confusing. But it is what it is," said Tokio Minami, who lives in Manhattan.
Two tracks in Edison were restored by 1 p.m., but it was too late for Minami, a high school student headed to Princeton for a long-anticipated college visit.
"It's pretty frustrating, but I maintain my composure always," Minami said.
The visit will have to wait.
Afternoon service updates
Amtrak service resumed shortly after 1 p.m., though riders should expect residual delays.
SERVICE UPDATE: Service has resumed between Philadelphia (PHL) and New York (NYP) after an earlier delay caused by downed powerlines. Residual delays are expected.
— Amtrak Northeast (@AmtrakNECAlerts) May 2, 2022
NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line has also resumed with limited service.
1 of 3: Northeast Corridor Line rail service has resumed limited service in both directions between Rahway and Trenton following an earlier Amtrak overhead wire issue near Edison.
— Northeast Corridor (@NJTRANSIT_NEC) May 2, 2022
Tough way to start a Monday
CBS2's Nick Caloway spoke with several frustrated commuters -- some headed to work, and others trying to get home after a long night.
"No one said anything to us, and we just sat there. And then the train started going back to New York. We're scared, like what happened?" said Willingboro resident Kayyisa Williams.
Williams told Caloway she just finished a 16-hour shift at a hospital in New York. She was tired and desperately trying to make it back home near Trenton.
"I don't know, hopefully I get home soon to go to sleep," she said. "Thank God I don't have to go to work tomorrow."
Other travelers said they made it all the way to Rahway before being told train service to Trenton was suspended. They were told to catch another train, then a bus.
High school student Tokio Minami and his mom were headed to Princeton for a long-anticipated college visit, but it will have to wait.
"If I make it, I make it. But if I don't, then I don't," Minami said. "It's in God's hands."
Amtrak said the issues stem from a power outage after a car crashed into a pole in Edison, taking down the wires.
Commuters said they weren't getting much help from NJ Transit or Amtrak.
Steve Aronson flew into Newark Liberty International Airport and was trying to make it home to Philadelphia.
"Between Google Maps and talking to people, just trying to figure it out," he said. "But yeah, it's definitely confusing."
We're still waiting for word on when those issues will be resolved.