metro
Published December 31, 2023, 2:25 p.m. ET
Hordes of commuters saw their vacation plans derailed Sunday morning by massive train delays at Penn Station in Manhattan, just blocks from the country's biggest New Year's Eve party.
Service on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor was delayed several hours due to “server/signal issues,” the railroad said in a statement X contribution around 8 a.m
The problems led to the cancellation of three Acela trains.
NJ Transit also suspended trains on the Trenton-New York corridor, and some trains to and from Philadelphia were also halted.
Until noon, both railway companies said Service was back on trackbut warned that there would still be delays.
Chris Carver, 26, works in real estate and was on his way to Boston to ring in 2024 but had been stranded at Penn's Moynihan Train Hall for more than four hours.
Carver rides Amtrak once or twice a week but has “never been late on a train.”
“I mean, there's always something going on in New York these days. Something is delayed or canceled. It is what it is,” said the stoic, faltering traveler.
“The big point of New Year’s Eve is midnight, right? I guess if it was closer to midnight I’d be upset.”
Amtrak service at Penn Station in Manhattan was delayed for several hours due to “server/signal issues.” John Roca The problems led to the cancellation of three Acela trains. John Roca
Mike Cole, a 54-year-old carpenter, was on his way to New London, Connecticut, before his 10 a.m. train was canceled due to “signal delays.”
Cole, who came to town on Saturday night to watch Phish play Madison Square Garden, said his relaxed mood was still unfazed – and added that the setback was a small price to pay for one great show to see.
“What am I going to do? Being angry doesn't help,” he said.
However, the travel setbacks left other Phans bouncing around the room.
“They fucked us,” Walter Sawyers stated bluntly.
A sign at Penn Station on Dec. 31 announcing that all trains were delayed. John Roca
The 26-year-old tile salesman and his buddy came from Baltimore to attend the jam band's annual four-day New Year's Eve run.
They were waiting for their second train delay after rebooking this morning due to the backlog.
“Fuck it all. Screw this whole scenario. We're not getting out of here tonight. I’m going to the Phish concert again,” he said as the duo decided to cut their losses.
In the meantime, he wants to get drunk and try to forget the whole thing.
Penn Station commuters are among those experiencing delays and cancellations. John Roca
“I'm going to a bar right now. I need several beers. I’m going to get really drunk.”
Sawyers also had a message for Amtrak: “F–k you.”
27-year-old Michael Chrencik and his friend drank shots and beer at the station bar ten minutes before their train officially departed. It was already an hour late and they weren't buying the new timetable.
“A train just boarded that was scheduled for 6:00 a.m. We found a guy from Amtrak and said, 'There's no way this train is leaving in ten minutes, is there?' He just shook his head and walked away. “The train doesn’t leave that fast,” Chrencik said.
NJ Transit also suspended trains on the Trenton-New York corridor on Sunday. John Roca
“My problem is the lack of communication. When we arrived we didn't see the train on the board and had no idea what was going on. Airlines suck, but when you’re at the airport, at least the airline will tell you everything.”
“You would think a government-funded rail program would work better…now that I say it out loud, maybe not.”
The delays came as a million people were expected to attend the ball drop in Times Square – everyone was asked to leave their cars at home and use public transport.
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