Commuters Find Alternatives After NJ TRANSIT Train Crash
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Commuters returned to work by roads, rails and river Friday after a NJ TRANSIT train crash in Hoboken disrupted service.
NJ TRANSIT's rail service remains suspended in and out of Hoboken while officials investigate what caused Thursday's crash, which killed a woman and injured more than 100. They also are assessing the structural damage to the terminal.
It was a tough morning commute for many who would normally head through Hoboken on their way to New York City, but it was easier for others.
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"It was slow, but you know, it was pretty good," commuter Debbie Wallace told CBS2's Andrea Grymes.
"Horrible," said commuter John Nestorson. "I take this train straight into Hoboken, but now I had to change here, get on this bus, go to another area to transfer to the light rail to go to Hoboken so it's gonna take me about 3 to 4 hours to get to work."
Workers were fanned out at the Secaucus station, along with signs pointing riders in the right direction.
"Came completely at a different time than normal," commuter Monique Nixon told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond.
"There were very few people on the train and well now, I'm trying to get to Newark Broad Street," said commuter Joseph Kaselow.
"I'm going to work with the inconvenience," one man told 1010 WINS' Samantha Liebman. "It is what it is."
In Rockland County Friday morning, it was a similar scene as people tried to get to work.
"I'm going to have to see what happens with the first train," commuter Jim Harding said. "It's a modified schedule, there's a bus that goes to the Port Authority, so whatever you see first you grab."
Many have their fingers crossed for the evening rush after dealing with the morning.
"Because it's going to be a madhouse. I'm concerned about the future as well because I don't see that thing being fixed for months," another commuter said.
To help accommodate customers, all NJ TRANSIT New York-bound trains on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast and MidTown Direct lines will run on normal weekday schedules.
The Main, Bergen and Pascack Valley lines will operate on a weekend schedule, originating and terminating in Secaucus.
The 126 bus line will operate between Hoboken and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City. There also will be buses operating on a load-and-go basis between Hoboken and Secaucus.
All other NJ TRANSIT trains are operating regularly. Commuters could face overcrowding and delays.
PATH train service to and from Hoboken resumed Thursday afternoon.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is also running buses along the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines between the Tarrytown and Beacon stations.
Metro-North will also provide alternate bus service during peak rush hour for Pascack Valley and Port Jervis line customers.
For more information from NJ TRANSIT, click here.
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