NJ Transit riders faced a hellish commute Thursday after extreme heat caused a slew of lengthy delays and cancellations — just a day after a 3% fare hike went into effect.
The state’s transit service said equipment issues sparked several delays that snarled morning and evening commutes as an oppressive “heat dome” blanketed the tri-state area, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees.
Extreme heat can cause a flurry of equipment issues, including sagging overhead wires, expanding and buckling rail tracks, melting roadways, and poor air conditioning performance.
The Montclair/Boonton, Morris and Essex, Northeast Corridor, Main/Bergen County, Raritan Valley, and Pascack Valley lines were all experiencing hour-long delays and cancellations as of Thursday evening due to equipment issues caused by the sweltering heat, according to NJ Transit.
The North Jersey Coast Line was also experiencing delays of up to an hour and a half, the transit agency said.
Trains heading to Midtown on the Montclair/Boonton and Morris & Essex lines were also being diverted to Hoboken Terminal due to the equipment snafus.
Rail service is expected to continue operating with delays and cancellations through the end of Friday, with the agency urging riders to avoid “non-essential travel.”
The disruptions came just a day after an annual three percent fare hike for Garden State commuters riding trains, buses, and light rail took effect on Wednesday, WABC reported.
NJ Transit rail tickets and passes are now being cross-honored by NJ TRANSIT and private carrier buses, PATH at Newark Penn, Hoboken, and 33rd Street, New York, and NY Waterway Ferry.
Amtrak Northeast also said trains may need to operate at reduced speeds and could experience delays between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. until Saturday, July 4th.
Riders are urged to check train statuses before embarking on their commutes.
Scorching conditions are expected to persist into Friday, with extreme heat and humidity threatening thunderstorms at night.
