Amtrak, NJ Transit riders experiencing major delays due to wires on tracks. Here’s the latest.

NEW YORK — Officials say downed overhead wires blocking train tracks caused a messy Wednesday evening commute.

The problems started in Kearny, New Jersey right around the beginning of the evening rush and delayed the trip home for many. Amtrak said crews were in the process of clearing the tracks, and at 9:30 p.m. issued a statement saying a single track was restored between New York City and Newark, allowing minimal travel.

Amtrak initially sent out an alert at around 5 p.m. saying service between New York City and Newark was stopped due to the downed overhead wires. In an update, the railroad expanded that to travel between New York City and Philadelphia.

Several NJ Transit lines were also experiencing delays.

Amtrak said it anticipated extensive delays as crews worked to resolve the issue. Amtrak was offering help with changing reservations by calling its reservation center.

Frustration for commuters

Video from Chopper 2 shows crowds of people outside Newark-Penn Station and trains sitting on the tracks in Elizabeth.

Wednesday marked the second day in a row there had been significant disruptions on NJ Transit, due to the same issue. It said Midtown Direct service was being diverted to Hoboken and it’s cross-honoring tickets.

“I was actually just raving about it. I was tired of air travel and I was like, ‘Oh, this is great.’ So this is very unexpected,” Ana Maria Lopez of Caldwell said.

“Every single day day it’s a problem with the train,” one commuter said. “I’m not gonna sit here and wait for no train. Either way, I can’t get to work regardless.”

“We were commuting home and decided to have a few drinks, which was a bad idea because now were struck,” another said.

“There’s nothing you can do except accept it,” another added.

There was a long line at the Amtrak ticket window in Moynihan Train Hall. Samantha Taylor and her family, who were visiting from India and headed to Philadelphia, were among those stuck in New York City.

“We saw it on the app that it was canceled, so we checked for the next train — nothing available for today,” Taylor said.

“Everything is delayed. I sent everything to my supervisor because I don’t think I’m gonna be able to make it to Trenton,” said Lamesha Taylor of the Bronx.

“There’s no buses that go that way,” added Yolanda Crudup of Ewing Township, New Jersey.

Jenna DeAngelis

Jenna DeAngelis is an Emmy award winning journalist. She joined CBS2 News as a general assignment reporter in March 2018.