NJ Transit Offers Riders ‘Delay Letters’ To Placate Fed-Up Bosses

Are you tired of explaining to your boss – yet again – that you’re going to be late to work because of NJ Transit or Amtrak delays? There may be a solution: an official “delay letter” from transit officials.

As local commuters brace for upcoming Amtrak maintenance work at New York Penn Station that will cause significant delays in the area, officials with NJ Transit reminded workers with fed-up employers that the agency is happy to provide a “delay letter” that explains the situation.

New Jersey and New York commuters can pick up their delay letters at any NJ Transit’s customer service offices or via the agency’s website.

“I want to thank you for your continued patience and understanding during the recent and ongoing delays to your train service, especially traveling in and out of Penn Station New York,” NJ Transit Executive Director Steven Santoro stated Tuesday. “These delays have caused considerable frustration, inconvenience and stress for many of you as you travel to work, appointments, events and then back home.”

“We share your frustration and are committed to earning back your trust. I personally met with Amtrak's CEO recently to discuss the importance of NJ Transit having a voice at the table around prioritization of track and other maintenance, tunnel evacuation protocols, customer flow at Penn Station New York among other topics,” Santoro said. “These issues are important to NJ Transit, have a direct impact on our customers and must be addressed.”

Earlier this week, NJ Transit announced that any NJ Transit commuter passing through New York Penn Station will end up sacrificing an extra 15 minutes per weekday trip due to ongoing Amtrak maintenance work and track inspections. There will also be 30-minute delays on the weekends, officials said.

“This is in addition to delays that may occur as the result of weekend programmed maintenance elsewhere on the Northeast Corridor, as well as the North Jersey Coast Line and Morris & Essex Lines,” NJ Transit officials stated.

The delays are expected to take place “effective immediately and continue until further notice,” NJ Transit stated Monday.

• See related article: NJ Transit: Penn Station Delays Will Continue Indefinitely

Amtrak announced Thursday that it will pursue an "aggressive" improvement initiative for the station.

The weekday work will take place this summer, President and CEO of Amtrak Wick Moorman said on Thursday. Construction work at the station will continue past this summer but will switch to a weekend-based schedule, Moorman added.

• See related article: Amtrak To Launch 'Aggressive' Penn Station Improvement Plan

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Photo: Flickr Commons / JD Hancock