Cold causes delays for NJ Transit, PATH

The bitter cold on Thursday morning caused problems for both NJ Transit and PATH riders on the rails.

Standing room only on an express NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line train that turned into a local because of the cold (@njshawn via Twitter)

NJ Transit blames problems with Amtrak overhead wires for delays of 30 minutes in-and-out of New York Penn Station for the entire morning commute. NJ Transit spokesman William Smith said the wire problem was on the line between Penn Station and the Sunnyside rail yard in Queens that is used to turn trains around for the return trip to New Jersey.

Commuters took to Twitter to voice their frustration at the delays. "Cancellations and delays due to weather related conditions?" tweeted @cfmurphy43. "Winter comes around every year; don't you plan for this?

Many riders found themselves on express trains that became local. Rider @njshawn tweeted this description of his scheduled express on the North Jersey Coast Line: "More crowded and people fighting."

Smith said NJ Transit strives to accomodate the greatest number of riders, a goal that sometimes necessitates changing the status of a train.

New Jersey Fast Traffic's Bob Williams noted the late decision by NJ Transit to cross-honor tickets systemwide. "Commuters who may have taken another way into work this morning couldn't make that decision early enough" said Williams.

Smith said the decision was made "as conditions warrant" but did not specify a reason.

The cold also affected service for early PATH riders. Signal problems caused the temporary suspension of the Newark-World Trade Center line. Service has since resumed system-wide, but with delays.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report