NJ Transit Back On Schedule After Nightmare Commute

NORTHERN NEW JERSEY — Due to problems with Amtrak power outages and a train stuck in the tunnel outside of Manhattan's Penn Station Monday night, train stations in New York were filled with angry commuters — and so were Twitter feeds, as #NJTransit was trending. Passengers hoping to get to New Jersey from Manhattan Tweeted that they were trapped on trains for three hours or longer.

On Tuesday morning, NJ Transit Tweeted that service was restored: "Good morning, rail service in and out of Penn Station New York is operating on or close to schedule this morning. NJ Transit rail tickets/passes are no longer being cross-honored by PATH at Newark Penn, Hoboken and 33rd St., NJ Transit Bus and private carriers."

But desperate Tweets from Monday night lingered, showing commuters packed into New York Penn Station, then into the 33rd Street PATH station when they eventually tried to get to Hoboken, Jersey City, or Newark. Some Tweeted that they wanted to take an Uber from those stations to get to the suburbs, but it was too expensive.

"How about you pay for the $100+ just to get to Princeton junction via Uber/Lyft?" wrote one woman.

"We are still stuck in this train (for almost 3 hours now but let me guess, you dont care at all, right?)," Tweeted another. "going backwards while I can see other trains pass by us INTO THE TUNNEL!!! What is going on??"

Several blamed former Gov. Chris Christie for canceling the ARC Tunnel project that would have added a tunnel to accommodate increasing ridership.

Gov. Phil Murphy has pledged to fix NJ Transit's frequent delays and problems, but some want him to work faster.

"You know it's probably not a good sign when NJ Transit is trending, but we can fix this by fully funding the Gateway Project, ARC and a complete overhaul of our nation's rail network. Build the tunnels!" Tweeted Congressional candidate Russ Cirincione of Old Bridge.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) later issued a press release blasting Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. “Secretary Chao jeopardizes the safety of New Jersey commuters by blocking approval for the Gateway Tunnel Project,” she said. “The Department of Transportation must stop playing partisan politics with the lives of New Jerseyans, and understand that funding for Gateway is more than just a regional concern — it is a national priority.”

Follow NJ Transit updates here.