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NJ Transit Restores Penn Service After Fire, Delays Persist

5/16/2026

25 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

NJ Transit Resumes

NJ Transit resumed service to Penn Station after an electrical fire in Line 3 of the tunnels on May 14.
Amtrak and NJ Transit warned of 20-minute train delays because of ongoing track and signal maintenance.
The Long Island Rail Road, also affected by the fire, went on strike before service could be restored.
An Amtrak spokesman said LIRR service should resume at 5 a.m. on May 16 after the fire disrupted commuter trains since midday on May 14.

Summary

MTA Shuts Tunnels

FDNY is investigating the fire and confirmed a cable ignited at 11:22 a.m. on May 14.
MTA said shutdown of tunnels 3 and 4 cut access to Sunnyside Yard.
LIRR President Rob Free said burned signal and cables stopped crews from operating switches.
Commuters rerouted to Grand Central Madison faced subways and delays up to 30 minutes while ticket cross-honoring includes PATH and private buses at Newark Penn, Hoboken and 33rd Street.

History

Historical Context

In 2017 the MTA declared a subway state of emergency after on-time performance fell to 65 % and signal failures surged. The agency then launched a multi-billion signal-upgrade plan, targeting roughly 1,200 aging locations. A fire on May 14, 2024 that knocked out cables on NJ Transit, Amtrak and LIRR tracks revived those unfinished upgrades as commuters face renewed delays.

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NJ Transit Resumes

NJ Transit resumed service to Penn Station after an electrical fire in Line 3 of the tunnels on May 14.
Amtrak and NJ Transit warned of 20-minute train delays because of ongoing track and signal maintenance.
The Long Island Rail Road, also affected by the fire, went on strike before service could be restored.
An Amtrak spokesman said LIRR service should resume at 5 a.m. on May 16 after the fire disrupted commuter trains since midday on May 14.

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