On what may have been the hottest day thus far this summer, the last thing NJ Transit riders wanted to deal with was delays — but that's exactly what some got Tuesday. And there may be after-effects Wednesday.
The beleaguered transit agency said Tuesday evening that they were "experiencing heat-related rail equipment issues" due to the extreme high temperatures. Adding insult to injury for riders, NJ Transit said the problems were impacting the air-conditioning units, the very thing keeping them cool amid the heat wave.
NJ Transit said delays were possible and it could be necessary to cancel or combine some trips through the end of the work week.
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It was not clear which lines in particular might be impacted or how many commuters could be impacted. The warning came about two week after NJ Transit instituted a 15% fare hike.
On Wednesday, NJ Transit clarified that that no cars were being sent out without air conditioning, but rather the delays would be due to the decrease in the number of trains suitable to be sent out. Any train that does not have working A/C would be an example of one that is not suitable to be sent out, a spokesperson said.
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That initial heat-related issue came as the New York City subway was dealing with technical problems of their own. Service on the J and M lines was suspended around 7 p.m. Tuesday in both directions between Manhattan and Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn.
The MTA said that it was due to a signal issue. While the cause was not immediately clear, the transit agency did not believe it was weather-related.
The B, D, F and M lines also experienced heavy delays on Tuesday.
