For the second time this week, NJ Transit and Amtrak riders commuting into and out of New York’s Penn Station are scrambling to move through the region.
According to the transit agencies, overhead wire issues and a brush fire in northern New Jersey on Thursday temporarily halted Amtrak trains between New Haven and Philadelphia and NJ Transit trains that rely on Amtrak tracks to traverse Penn Station.
“Reports of a malfunctioning circuit breaker are said to be the cause of a widespread issue, resulting in a loss of power on the tracks between New York Penn Station and Newark Union Station,” Amtrak said in a statement posted at 4 p.m. on Thursday. “This issue will affect trains operating between Philadelphia 30th Street Station and New Haven Union Station.”
NJ Transit said its rail service into and out of Manhattan’s Penn Station was also suspended.
“Midtown Direct trains are being diverted to Hoboken,” the agency stated in an alert on its website. “NJ Transit rail tickets and passes are being crossed-honored by NJ Transit and private carrier buses and PATH at Newark Penn, Hoboken and 33rd Street, New York.”
It was not immediately clear when normal service would return. Amtrak said a local fire department was working to extinguish the fire in northern New Jersey, east of Newark Union Station.
The transit meltdown comes as residents throughout the region endure the first heat wave of the season. Forecasters say temperatures in the New York area could reach record highs this summer.
Overhead wire issues and a disabled train created major delays on Tuesday for NJ Transit and Amtrak commuters traveling to and from New York’s Penn Station. The delays lasted for much of the day, including the evening rush hour.
Earlier on Thursday afternoon, Amtrak Northeast said high temperatures “may require trains to operate at lower speeds, resulting in delays of up to 60 minutes between the hours 12 noon and 7:30 p.m. for the remainder of the week.”
The rail service said customers with reserved seats would be issued tickets on trains with similar departure times on a different day. Passengers can call 1-800-USA-RAIL to reschedule their reservations.
Amtrak and NJ Transit did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This is a developing story and may be updated.