NJT: Atlantic City rail service restoration delayed again

The suspension of New Jersey Transit's Atlantic City Rail Line has begun. Regular riders are finding alternatives, like an express shuttle from Lindenwold to Atlantic City.
Photo credit Tim Jimenez / KYW Newsradio
By KYW Newsradio 1060
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Commuters can expect another delay in the resumption of service along the Atlantic City rail line, which has been idled by New Jersey Transit since Labor Day. 

NJT issued a press release to announce that the service will not be back until the second quarter of this year. 

At first the line was supposed to be back in early January, then early this year. Now it could be as late as the end of June. 

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The delay is caused by more than the installation of Positive Train Control. There's a shortage of locomotive engineers and equipment, and what's available has been diverted to the northern part of the state, where there are more rail riders.

Leadership at the agency stresses that service has improved statewide, but to quote Executive Director Kevin Corbett, “That’s no consolation when it's your train that is affected."

One consolation: 25 percent discounts on alternative service will remain place until the service is restored.