Amtrak track issue leads to major delays for morning commute to and from Penn Station
NEW YORK -- Riders faced major delays to and from Penn Station for the morning commute.
Amtrak initially called it a "track condition," then said a "dip in the rail" was to blame.
The only thing riders knew was they were stalled on tracks and on platforms, starting their work week with pain.
"So I'm late to where I was supposed to go," one commuter said.
"Long delay today again, so we are hoping they will improve the service," another said.
Chopper 2 FlyingChopper 2 is checking out stories and traffic around the area. Where are you watching from this morning? See more on CBS News New York: https://cbsn.ws/420MVu9
Posted by CBS New York on Monday, May 8, 2023
The delays stretched to 45 minutes and sometimes longer, according to riders.
NJ TRANSIT appeared to send the first alert, pinpointing the problem to the North Tube of the North River Tunnels on Amtrak property.
"New Jersey Transit did a good job of keeping people posted on what was going on," said one rider.
(1of2) Rail service in and out of Penn Station New York is subject to up to 60-minute delays due to an Amtrak track condition in the one of the Hudson River Tunnels.
— Northeast Corridor (@NJTRANSIT_NEC) May 8, 2023
Video from one train on the Morris and Essex line showed the delay end with slow speed arrival at Hoboken. Then, many commuters scrambled onto PATH trains, where their tickets were cross-honored.
The track returned to the system just before 9 a.m., but some delays continued.