Crime & Safety
NJ Transit Trains Delayed Due To Elizabeth Bomb Incident, Amtrak Also Affected
A bomb scare is a "good reason" for the delays, a NJ Transit commuter admitted to the agency.
NJ Transit commuters experienced delays to their morning commutes after five bombs were found at the Elizabeth train station Monday morning, authorities said.
The possible explosive devices were found in a backpack outside the NJ Transit train station in Elizabeth around 12:30 a.m. on Monday; one exploded while a bomb squad robot was attempting to disarm it, according to authorities.
- See related article: Explosive Devices Found at Elizabeth Station Delaying Amtrak, NJ Transit
The discovery of the potential bombs caused NJ Transit to suspend service between Newark Liberty Airport and Elizabeth. New Jersey-bound Amtrak trains were also held up at New York Penn Station, according to authorities.
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Train service was back up by 7 a.m., officials stated.
#NEC rail service is temporarily suspended between Newark Airport and Elizabeth stations due to police activity near Elizabeth.
— NJ TRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) September 19, 2016
Riders experienced up to 60-minute residual delays on the NEC, NJCL, Raritan Valley Line and Midtown Direct trains on Monday morning, officials said.
Find out what's happening in Montclairfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
#NEC rail service is temporarily suspended between Newark Airport and Elizabeth stations due to police activity near Elizabeth.
— NJ TRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) September 19, 2016
#NJT Bus customers should expect heavy ridership & build in extra travel time due to rail service suspension on NEC and NJCL rail lines.
— NJ TRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) September 19, 2016
The NJ Transit delays and cancellations also touched the Monday ride of local PATH Train commuters when Port Authority officials announced that due to the police activity, PATH trains would cross-honor NJ Transit passengers at the NWK, HOB and WTC stations.
- See related article: Increased Police Presence At NJ/NY Bridges, Tunnels, Airports Due To Bomb Incidents: Port Authority
Port Authority officials later added the 33rd Street Station to the cross-honoring list.
Due to police activity on NJT, PATH will cross honor NJT passengers at NWK, HOB, WTC and 33rd street stations.
— PATH Train (@PATHTrain) September 19, 2016
COMMUTER REACTION
Several NJ Transit riders expressed frustration with the delays on social media.
@NJTRANSIT had there been more communication, some of us could have gotten off in EWR & taken alternate transport #alwaysthinking
— Jaclyn Hunt (@therealjackee) September 19, 2016
@NJTRANSIT i think it's only going to get worse. Got an uber out of there, best of luck to you still on the train, get home safe
— Sydney Clara Brafman (@sydneybrafman) September 19, 2016
@NJTRANSIT there are hundred of people now stranded or stuck on trains going nowhere. How will you make things right with passengers?
— Joe La (@joefuckingla) September 19, 2016
But at least one commuter apologized to officials after learning about the reason behind the delays.
“NJ Transit ruined my night,” one commuter lamented, stating that he was supposed to arrive in New York City but was stuck in New Jersey.
@NJTRANSIT ruined my night. Was supposed to get to NYC at 10:30. It's now 11:35 and I'm in New Jersey still. #mad #betterbeworthit
— jake kaplan (@drawing_jake) September 19, 2016
However, the rider soon posted a new message: “Oh wow. There's a bomb in Elizabeth NJ. That's a good reason. Sorry for yelling at you @NJTRANSIT”
@x0thamarr oh wow. There's a bomb in Elizabeth NJ. That's a good reason. Sorry for yelling at you @NJTRANSIT
— jake kaplan (@drawing_jake) September 19, 2016
File Photo: Eric Kiefer
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