NJ Transit and Amtrak service experienced extensive delays on Thursday evening as a result of a power issue that disrupted operations heading into rush hour. According to Amtrak, power was fully restored around 5:30 p.m. with rail service between New Haven and Philadelphia resuming. However, significant delays were expected due to backed up rail traffic and single-tracking measures imposed by the transit agency.

The service suspension, which lasted for several hours in the afternoon, was caused by a malfunctioning circuit breaker that resulted in a loss of power on the tracks between Newark Penn Station and Newark Union Station. Additionally, a brush fire in Secaucus further exacerbated the situation for trains operated by both Amtrak and NJ Transit.

NJ Transit announced that service was gradually resuming just before 6 p.m., and trains on the Trenton and Long Branch lines were observed leaving NY-Penn Station by 5:50 p.m. However, residual delays of up to 90 minutes were expected throughout the evening as the rail traffic gradually returns to normalcy.

To assist affected passengers, NJ Transit announced that tickets and passes would be cross honored by NJ Transit, private buses, and PATH at Newark Penn, Hoboken, and 33rd Street. Passengers heading south were encouraged to take the PATH to Newark and then proceed via trains running from Newark to Trenton. Dover and Montclair commuters were advised to utilize the PATH to Hoboken in order to access their trains.

As a consequence of the power issues, several Amtrak trains were forced to terminate at either Philadelphia or Newark. Additionally, PATH reported "network connection" issues at Newark Penn Station, leading to delays on the World Trade Center - Newark line. However, these issues were resolved before 5 p.m., and service was reported to be returning to normal.

Amtrak had previously issued a warning earlier in the week regarding the high temperatures faced in the region. The extreme heat necessitated trains to operate at lower speeds, resulting in delays of up to 60 minutes during the afternoons.

Passengers traveling through New York Penn Station should anticipate ongoing delays and plan their journeys accordingly. NJ Transit and Amtrak continue to work diligently to minimize the impact of the power issue and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.