Transit nightmares after storm

People trying to get in or out of New York City on Thursday--the day after a Nor'easter dumped large amounts of snow in the suburbs--faced a rough commute. But thanfully, transit authorities indicated that things would be mostly back to normal on Fridfay.

New Jersey Transit on Thursday had regular service only on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line. The Pascack Valley Line had limited evening rush service. The storm heavily impacted the Raritan Valley, Atlantic City, Main/Bergen County, Port Jervis, Morristown, Gladstone Branch, and Montclair-Boonton lines. Riders were told to check schedules to see when and if their lines were operating.

NJ Transit was offering full systemwide cross-honoring, allowing customers to use their ticket or pass on buses, the light rail, PATH or NY Waterway if their trains were not running.

NJ Transit expected rail, bus, light rail, and Access Link services to operate on a regular weekday schedule on Friday, but warned commuters to expect some residual delays.

Metro-North train service north of the city faced its own problems. Service was suspended Wednesday night on the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven lines as a result of trees fallen across tracks and into overhead wires, signal power problems, and other weather-related issues. Crews worked overnight to remove trees, assess and repair damage to tracks and overhead wires, and position trains and crews.

Metro-North operated a reduced schedule on Thursday, which carries 55 percent capacity of its weekday ridership. The New Canaan and Waterbury Branches remain suspended Thursday.

The MTA expected full service to return Friday, March 9.

Amtrak suspended service between New York City and Boston Wednesday evening and resumed a modified schedule Thursday.