NJ Transit commuters endured a miserable ride Thursday as extreme heat triggered widespread delays and cancellations, arriving just one day after a 3% fare increase took effect.
The agency said equipment problems were behind multiple service disruptions that snarled both the morning and evening rush, as a punishing “heat dome” settled over the tri-state area and pushed temperatures to around 100 degrees.
Severe heat can create a range of transit-related problems, from sagging overhead wires and expanding rails that may buckle to softened road surfaces and air-conditioning systems struggling to keep up.
By Thursday evening, the Montclair/Boonton, Morris and Essex, Northeast Corridor, Main/Bergen County, Raritan Valley, and Pascack Valley lines were all seeing delays of about an hour along with cancellations tied to heat-related equipment issues, according to NJ Transit.
The North Jersey Coast Line was also affected, with the transit agency reporting delays of up to 90 minutes.
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Midtown-bound trains on the Montclair/Boonton and Morris & Essex lines were being rerouted to Hoboken Terminal because of the equipment problems.
NJ Transit said rail service was expected to remain disrupted, with delays and cancellations continuing through the end of Friday, and advised passengers to avoid “non-essential travel.”
The service meltdown followed the start of an annual 3% fare hike on Wednesday for New Jersey commuters using trains, buses and light rail, 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.
