Summer of (tech) hell: NJ Transit app down for unknown reason

NEWARK — The latest problems for NJ Transit had nothing to do with trains or buses.

Many riders took to social media to share screenshots of their app showing the message "server connection timeout." Commuter Barry Grossman told New Jersey 101.5 that the app opened for him, but he couldn't get to his ticket account. He said the ticket vending machine did not appear to work.

NJ Transit, in a tweet, said it was  "aware of the issue and it is being addressed."  It was back up and running around 11 a.m. but techs are still trying to determine what caused the issue.

NJ Transit said it responded to customers on social media and alerted crew member and bus operators about the problem. Customers who use cash to pay for their trip or pay a $5 surcharge can request a refund via NJ Transit's website. or can call 973-491-8810.

Other tweets said that bus drivers did not know what to do for customers whose apps didn't work.

A pregnant woman named Maria tweeted that she was taken off a bus because she didn't have the cash to pay the fare. NJ Transit spokeswoman Nancy Snyder said the driver's behavior was "unacceptable" and he will receive training.

Snyder said the customer was contacted.

Some early commuters had no issues.

"None for me," Morris & Essex Line rider Caitlin Wade said. Carl Schellenberger, on the North Jersey Coast Line, said "no problems on my train. Actually on time. Sorry to hear others having problems."

NJ Transit also tweeted that Escalator 10 serving Tracks 3 and 4 at Newark Penn Station was closed for repair, and directed customers to the elevator in the south concourse near McDonald's. Escalators 25 and 28 at Secaucus Junction were also temporarily out of service for repair.

Staffing issues seemed to be at a minimum on Thursday, with only one train, #8311 leaving New York Penn Station at 4:51 a.m., canceled due to an "engineer shortage," according to a tweet. "Operational issues" were blamed for the cancellation of several bus routes in North Jersey.

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

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