Toll of Commuting: How is NJ Transit doing one year after 'Summer of Hell?'
There’s been hundreds fewer Amtrak-related issues, but more mechanical problems from the heat.
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New Jersey Transit has improved its performance after last year’s “Summer of Hell.”
NJ Transit Customer advocate Franck Beaumin led a recent “listening session” at Newark-Penn Station to hear directly from customers about what else can be improved.
“What I want to make sure is that board members are aware of what our customers are complaining about,” Beaumin said.
Beaumin is the voice of the transit rider to the executive board. As he approaches one year on the job, Beaumin says he has heard some issues loud and clear.
“The No. 1 one concern is always about service issues,” Beaumin said. “Delays, cancellations. We also got a few complaints about station and vehicle condition."
Most of the concerns shared with News 12 at the most recent listening session centered around the bus, while the train received positive feedback.
NJ Transit rail service has fared better than last year’s “Summer of Hell,” but is still experiencing a seasonal swoon. There were fewer cancellations this June and July, but it was still a sharp increase from the previous months.
There’s been hundreds fewer Amtrak-related issues, but more mechanical problems from the heat.
“When the temperature goes too high, they have a hard time keeping up, and that’s why we are experiencing issues,” Beaumin said. “At New York Penn Station, we are experiencing temperatures under the locomotives over 120 degrees.”
Riders can share their commuting comments directly to Beaumin here.
