NJ Transit blames WWE for WrestleMania transit delays

New Jersey Transit is blaming the WWE for lengthy train delays at MetLife Stadium following WrestleMania 35 Sunday night.

News 12 Staff

Apr 8, 2019, 4:13 PM

Updated 1,936 days ago

Share:

NJ Transit blames WWE for WrestleMania transit delays
New Jersey Transit is blaming the WWE for lengthy train delays at MetLife Stadium following WrestleMania 35 Sunday night.
Thousands of people heading home from the show late Sunday and early Monday were stuck waiting in long lines for trains and buses leaving the stadium. NJ Transit says event organizers' decision to extend the show until 12:30 a.m. caused the problems.
The agency originally told attendees that transportation would leave every 10 minutes when WrestleMania let out. But some people claimed on social media that they waited up to three hours for a train.
Brandon Speck tells News 12 New Jersey that he traveled from Mississippi to attend the professional wrestling event.
“Everybody was kind of stampeding and it looks kind of chaotic there when everybody was trying to pack on the train,” Speck says.
A spokesperson for NJ Transit says in a statement, “The primary factor contributing to the post-event delays was the WWE's decision to extend the event to 12:30 a.m., which had significant operational impacts on the evening. NJ Transit was not informed of this decision until late last night."
NJ Transit had stated in the past that federal guidelines limit crew times, which meant some of the trains could not be staffed.
Speck says that he and some of the others waiting on long lines in the rain for trains passed the time by singing popular rock songs.
Meanwhile, Gov. Phil Murphy, who has vowed to improve NJ Transit, had harsh words for the agency.
“It’s unacceptable. Period. We’re fixing it but we’re going to learn from this,” Murphy said. “I’ll be damned if it happens again.”
The delays were reminiscent of the 2014 Super Bowl at the stadium when thousands of fans flooded the train platform after the game and had to wait hours to leave.
WWE released a statement that said, “We regret any inconveniences fans may have experienced with mass transportation after the event."

The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


More from News 12
2:16
Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

2:11
Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

0:46
New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

1:43
Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

0:44
Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

1:01
‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

0:29
Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

0:55
EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

0:20
West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

0:30
Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

0:15
East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

0:30
No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

1:04
Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

0:15
Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

0:23
2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

0:18
$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

1:59
Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

1:17
Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program