Why did NJ Transit cancel 4 Morris & Essex Line trains Monday?

NEWARK — "The summer of hell" lived up to its name on Monday, with the cancellation of four Morris & Essex Line trains.

The cancellations come at the the half-way point of the summer schedule, which up until today has run smoothly.

According to NJ Transit's tweets, these were the canceled trains:

• No. 0608 — the 5:45 a.m. from Dover was combined with No. 6612
• No. 6610 — the 5:55 a.m. from Dover was also combined with No. 6612
• No. 0808 — the 7:41a.m. from Lake Hopatcong was combined with the No. 626
• No. 6620 — the 7:33 a.m. from Dover was combined with No. 6624

The No. 6406 — the 5:57 a..m. from Peapack — was initially cancelled but the cancellation was reversed.

Rider Bob Higgins told New Jersey 101.5 he got on in Chatham and was "pinned against the door" on a car that was standing-room only.

"They were 'forced to cancel' them. That is the only reason given in announcements at the station," Higgins said.

Rider Heather Mill said "they are saying 'combined' to indicate one train is cancelled and riders should take another train, sometimes 30 minutes later. Semantics."

NJ Transit has not yet returned a call seeking an explanation.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.