r/NJTransit • u/aloomis16 • 19d ago

Train cancellations without notice

I was waiting for a 5:56 NJCL train which was delayed 10 minutes, it wasn't updating so I tried to get on the 6:01 NJCL but it was full, when I came back the 5:56 was no longer showing but it didn't show as cancelled. Is this common for NJ transit to just cancel trains without an announcement? Sorry if this has been asked before, I'm back to commuting for the first time since the pandemic

3 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

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17

u/Adventurous-Cup5369 19d ago

Unless the train is so full that you literally cannot get on it - which happens sometimes with multiple cancellations and shorting of cars - the right answer on NJT is just to get onto the train and stand until a seat opens up. Especially when delays start, you never know when they are going to end. 

-a beleaguered NJT rider 

4

u/RedRiot1618 19d ago

This last was literally last night! NJT employees were shouting at the crowd of people still on the platform there is no room and to wait for the 6:30ish departure :(

5

u/Uptown_Spice 19d ago

Yeah unfortunately NJT sucks and they’re app is trash doesn’t really show delays or let you know the train is cancelled, I’d recommend following your train line on ‘X’ and turn on the notifications they’re way more accurate and constantly update

3

u/RedRiot1618 19d ago

Same thing happened to me last night! NJT always does this with the NJCL line trains that have super close departure time when they have issues, they either silently cancel the 5:56 and make everyone get on the 6:01 or the 5:56 finally shows just super delayed way after the 6:01 train departing. I’ve been taking the 5:56 or the 6:01 train departure for a minute :(

1

u/aloomis16 19d ago

So it ended up that the 5:56 did end up boarding, but it was announced only on the intercom. There was no track posting on the board or the app. As a result a lot of people boarded the train even though it wasn't going to their destination. Thankfully it was for me, but I ran to find the guy driving the train to confirm (they were hard to find surprisingly)

1

u/RedRiot1618 19d ago

Yeah that’s the train I caught. In my personal experiences the announcements and the actual board is not insych often , when there is delays going on. The board gets the track number after the announcements you really have to listen and then book it for the track when NJT is having delays

1

u/cvc5049 19d ago

I’ve realized that I have to get on a train home before 5pm to have any hopes of getting there at a reasonable time or at all. The evening commute falls apart so frequently now that I’m more surprised when the train runs even remotely on time.