Commuters scramble after broken rail causes PATH delays

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – A broken rail forced a suspension of PATH train service, sending hundreds of commuters into frigid air at the height of the morning rush hour to try to catch ferries to Manhattan before service was restored.

The rail broke at about 8:30 a.m. Monday just west of the Grove Street Station in Jersey City. It forced hundreds of people off trains and into long lines outside nearby ferry stations ill-equipped for the onslaught. A quarter-mile-long line of people along the Hudson River barely moved in below-freezing temperatures.

Nearby, over 100 people lined up at another ferry station to buy tickets at two machines.

Service was eventually restored on all lines, though PATH trains were running with delays.

Cross-honouring of tickets with New Jersey Transit is in effect.