LIRR Penn Station service suspended after fire in East River Tunnel
CBS News • • business
Key Points:
- An electrical fire in the East River Tunnel near Penn Station caused major disruptions for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Friday morning, with no clear timeline for service restoration.
- The MTA reported limited LIRR service to Penn Station, with most trains rerouted to Grand Central or Jamaica, and no eastbound service from Penn Station currently available.
- Amtrak and NJ Transit also experienced delays, with Amtrak's Northeast Corridor service resuming but facing hour-long delays, and NJ Transit diverting Midtown Direct trains to Hoboken Terminal.
- Commuters faced significant frustration due to reroutes and delays, with crowded platforms and longer travel times, prompting the MTA to add trains to ease evening rush hour congestion.
- The FDNY responded swiftly to the fire, which was extinguished by 1:15 p.m., and no injuries were reported; the cause of the fire remains under investigation.