Passengers leaving an Amtrak train at Moynihan Penn Station in New York City, on July 13, 2023.
Daniel Slim | AFP | Getty Images
NJ Transit service into and out of New York Penn Station is suspended Thursday afternoon due to power issues on an Amtrak line, NJ Transit announced.
Amtrak said rail service between New Haven and Philadelphia is suspended while crews work on the power issue. The cause of the suspension is “reports of a malfunctioning circuit breaker” which caused a loss of power on the tracks between New York Penn Station and Newark Union Station. Amtrak later said a brush fire in Secaucus was also causing issues for trains.
“As a result of two separate issues in the New York area, Amtrak service is temporarily disrupted between Philadelphia and New Haven,” Amtrak said in a statement. “The issues are a brush fire in Secaucus, N.J., and a malfunctioning circuit breaker resulting in a loss of power on the tracks between New York and Newark Penn stations. Crews are working quickly to resolve both issues.”
Midtown Direct trains are being diverted to Hoboken. NJ Transit said its tickets and passes are being cross honored by NJ Transit, private buses, and PATH at Newark Penn, Hoboken, and 33rd Street.
NJ Transit said there are trains running from Newark to Trenton and passengers heading south should take the PATH to Newark. Dover and Montclair commuters were told to take the PATH to Hoboken to access their trains.
An NBC New York crew took this photo of large groups of passengers at New York Penn Station asking transit staff questions about the delays.
Amtrak has not provided an estimated time of resumption of service, but said customers with reservations can call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL to change their reservations.
Some Amtrak trains were terminating at Philadelphia or Newark due to the power issues.
PATH was also reporting “network connection” issues Thursday afternoon at Newark Penn Station leading to delays on the World Trade Center – Newark line. It is unclear if these connection issues are related to the Amtrak line power issues.
Earlier in the week, Amtrak warned the high temperatures the region is facing this could require trains to operate at lower speeds and results in afternoon delays of up to 60 minutes.
