UPDATE: As of 4:30 p.m., all tracks have been returned to service west of Secaucus Junction.
* Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line trains are operating to/from New York. Expect 15-20 minute delays throughout the evening commute. Train cancellations and combinations are possible.
* Midtown Direct trains will continue to operate to/from Hoboken, instead of New York, for the remainder of Wednesday. All Midtown Direct trains will make all local stops today. (Midtown Direct trains are the subset of trains on the Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton lines that normally operate to/from New York.) PATH is cross-honoring tickets for Midtown Direct customers between 33rd Street PATH Station and Hoboken.
* All trains in/out of Hoboken are subject to 15-20 minute delays throughout the evening commute due to congestion. This includes all Main, Bergen County, Montclair-Boonton, Morris & Essex, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis trains.
NJ Transit spokesman Dan Stessel confirmed that mid-town direct passengers will need to get their trains from Hoboken for the remainder of the day today.
The cause of the diversion is overhead wire damage near the Portal Bridge in Secaucus, which has stopped both east and westbound trains between Newark and New York. An investigation is underway to determine if the downed wires are a result of the weather.
While Stessel anticipates that the repairs will be completed in a few hours, rush hour commuters will still need to be diverted to Hoboken.
“Once we’ve diverted trains it’s not something we can change easily,” Stessel said. “To avoid confusion, we’re just directing everyone to Hoboken.”
Stessel suggested checking for updated information by clicking the red box on the top of njtransit.com’s home page.
Here’s what it currently says about Baristaville trains:
Northeast Corridor Service Disruption Information
Issued: December 01, 2010
Updated: 1:05 p.m. Wednesday, December 1, 2010Rail service is temporarily suspended between New York Penn Station and Newark.
Midtown Direct trains will operate to/from Hoboken, instead of New York, for the remainder of Wednesday. All Midtown Direct trains (6200 and 6600-series) will make all local stops today. (Midtown Direct trains are the subset of trains on the Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton lines that normally operate to/from New York.)All trains in/out of Hoboken are subject to 20-30 minute delays due to congestion.
Baristanet reader Kathy Bowden, who told us earlier this morning that service was becoming problematic and that her train was being rerouted to Hoboken, sent this photo.
Anyone want to share their favorite Hoboken terminal snack spots?
This is the 1st Portal Bridge-related delay since Monday…I guess we were due. This whole system would work a lot better if the dang weather would stop happening outside!
Hoboken will be a nightmare tonight. Shoulda worked from home.
I like the bar at the Hoboken train station. Being derailed to Hoboken in the midst of driving winds and pouring rain seems like a good reason to indulge in a nice glass of Pinot Grigio, Yes?
That’s a very good reason. (I might even over indulge)