Months after a summer of train breakdowns derailed commutes in and out of New York, more transit funding to fix the challenges could hinge on Tuesday’s election.
Amtrak and New Jersey Transit investigated the series of rail meltdowns in May and June that stranded passengers and caused commutes to stretch hours. The root causes haven’t been found yet — meaning riders face the risk of further disruptions, though results from an independent inspection are expected this month.
While officials maintain repairs are being made to keep the service running smoothly, the cash-strapped agencies say they need more funding. Political stalemates over transportation money in Congress have previously caused essential infrastructure to become dilapidated and in need of repairs.
This summer, heat stress and aging infrastructure triggered power disruptions that delayed NJ Transit and Amtrak rail service. Those two agencies are intertwined because NJ Transit leases much of their tracks from Amtrak, who serves as the primary owner and operator of the shared infrastructure.
“The ball is really in Amtrak’s court,” said Michael Smart, associate professor of urban planning at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.