New Jersey
Train disruptions for NJ Transit, Amtrak prompt another angry NJ delegation letter
3-minute read
Gateway Project includes new rail tunnel under Hudson River
The Gateway Project’s $18.4 billion first phase will make rail service more reliable NJ Transit and Amtrak riders between New Jersey and Manhattan.
Several members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation have again sent a letter calling on the U.S. Department of Transportation to get involved in the issues plaguing train travel for NJ Transit and Amtrak riders on the Northeast Corridor this summer.
The letter, sent to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Friday, is at least the third he has received from officials in New Jersey seeking accountability over the repeated delays Amtrak and NJ Transit customers have experienced due to failing infrastructure.
“I’m sick and tired of a ‘Summer of Hell’ — year after year,” wrote U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who led the letter, co-signed with U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone, Robert Menendez, Josh Gottheimer, Andy Kim, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Bill Pascrell and Donald Norcross.
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“We need Amtrak to use the $6 billion we passed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to repair these lines so NJ Transit commuters see fewer delays,” Sherrill wrote. “It’s time to get this fixed.”
Among the requests of U.S. DOT that were outlined in the letter:
- “Have Amtrak provide a schedule regarding how it intends to spend the funds appropriated for state-of-good-repair on New Jersey’s portion of the Northeast corridor”
- “More must be done in the interim to inform riders about outage plans, repairs, and other improvements affecting their daily commute. We ask that you urgently outline a plan to keep commuters fully informed of planned and unplanned disruptions.”
Despite the letters, there has been little direct communication with Buttigieg since the first congressional letter was sent June 25. The secretary was also copied on a letter New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy sent to Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner in May.
Rep. Menendez spoke to Buttigieg during a June 27 hearing of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, imploring the secretary to “treat this like the crisis that it is.”
“We’re hearing from our residents every day who don’t want to go to work, who don’t want to travel, who are worried about what child care looks like because there’s no reliability,” Menendez said.
Buttigieg said federal staff helping Amtrak assess causes
Buttigieg said Federal Railroad Administration personnel have been “on the ground” assessing the situation and are assisting Amtrak and NJ Transit in a joint review they are finalizing. The review is assessing why NJ Transit’s overhead train equipment is getting tangled with Amtrak’s power lines — the central cause of significant cancellations, delays and disruptions in April, May and June.
Those issues have not reoccurred in July, as NJ Transit and Amtrak have increased inspections, brought in third party assistance and placed cameras on top of trains.
A July 10 incident that was reported as “downed wires” was actually a rope that fell, and on July 21 wires that fell on the tracks were not Amtrak’s but PSE&G’s and had nothing to do with Amtrak’s infrastructure, the utility company confirmed.
Murphy said he has kept in close contact with Tony Coscia, Amtrak’s board chair, as the two agencies work to prevent further incidents.
Earlier this month, Amtrak applied for four federal grants that would help pay for upgrades to overhead wires, a substation replacement project and signal improvements, as well as replacing the Sawtooth Bridge, but those projects likely wouldn’t be completed for years.
Similarly, completion of the Portal Bridge replacement across the Hackensack River and construction of the Gateway tunnels, which would include wire upgrades, won’t be finished until 2026 and 2035, respectively.
Overhead wires, signals and substations throughout New Jersey were first identified for replacement 50 years ago, but $4.6 billion in overdue repairs and upgrades have built up over time.
Amtrak, according to its own documents, has adapted a “run-to-fail approach” instead of a long-term strategy that would have required consistent funding it doesn’t normally have. This has allowed the infrastructure to deteriorate. As a result, decades-old wires droop, causing them to fall or get tangled during extreme changes in weather.
Friday’s letter adds pressure to U.S. DOT and Amtrak to use the $6 billion in federal funding allocated specifically for the Northeast Corridor’s maintenance backlog.
“We were proud to secure this funding for precisely this purpose, and these funds should be used to address the problem right now,” the letter said.
PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
Keep Reading: Beloved New Jersey Restaurant is Closing
So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
PHOTOS: Step Inside a 1970s Kitchen — 34 Things You’ll Recognize
From Tupperware jugs (you know the ones) to those ever-present knife sharpeners, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
FIFA and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill have become embroiled in a war of words this past week as the prospect of $150 train tickets to travel to World Cup games and plans to close parts of New York’s Penn Station have angered residents.
The recent uproar began after reports surfaced April 6 that parts of Penn Station would be closed to NJ Transit commuters not attending World Cup games for four hours before kickoff during the eight matches at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
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Moreover, round-trip train tickets between Penn Station in Manhattan and MetLife Stadium, where the final of the FIFA World Cup is set to be played, were announced by NJ Transit to come in at $150 per person.
A return ride on the same line typically costs $12.90, according to NJ Transit.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026.
In a press release on April 17, Sherrill said the move to increase prices was caused by FIFA’s decision to eliminate parking at MetLife Stadium. The Democratic governor said price increases happened because FIFA did not agree to cover the costs of transporting fans.
“We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day,” Sherrill said.
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More: Going to World Cup at MetLife Stadium? Expect $150 train tickets and no parking
FIFA, on the other hand, has said the price increase would have a “chilling effect” on fans attending games in New Jersey and said Sherrill’s demands asking FIFA to absorb transportation costs for fans were “unprecedented.”
“Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup,” Heimo Schirgi, COO for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The NJ Transit logo is seen in the lobby of the New Jersey Transit headquarters ahead of a press briefing on the New York/New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026 regional mobility plan in Newark, New Jersey on April 17, 2026.
What are other cities doing with World Cup transportation?
New Jersey has not been the only place where transportation costs have been the subject of discussion ahead of the World Cup. In Boston, round-trip train train tickets on the MBTA from Boston’s South Station to Gillette Stadium are being sold for $80.
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Special event trains to Foxborough for New England Patriots NFL games and New England Revolution MLS matches are usually $20 for a round trip, according to local news station CBS Boston.
Other cities have not seen increases like the ones in New Jersey and Boston. In Atlanta, for example, train fares on the city’s MARTA will be $2.50 per ride, with children able to travel for free with a paying adult.
Kansas City is offering $15 round-trip shuttle rides for fans parking in four different park-and-ride locations, as well as those coming from FIFA’s Fan Festival in the city. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is offering fans a $3.50 round trip train ticket on its Metro Train.
SEPTA in Philadelphia is also keeping its prices low, with fans set to pay the base $2.90 fare for a ride on its Broad Street Line, which takes riders to Lincoln Financial Field, set to host six matches.
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Katie Sobko from USA TODAY Network’s NorthJersey.com contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup fans going to MetLife Stadium to pay $150 for NJT ticket
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