NJ Transit to add more train cars to deal with service delays, crowding

New Jersey Transit will be including additional train cars into service to help with delays and overcrowding.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday that the agency is returning 20 passenger rail cars to service and leasing more from Maryland to ease car shortages and crowded conditions.
Acting Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said that of the 20 NJ Transit cars out of service for upgrades 12 were back in action Thursday.
Murphy ordered an audit of NJ Transit earlier this year. The agency faces concerns about overcrowding, delays and safety.
"Commuters cannot wait on platforms for trains that never come or suffer overcrowding on the ones that do come,” the governor said.
Murphy also said he's accelerating hiring and that repair work would be outsourced to speed up maintenance. He said that more spare parts will also be ordered to expedite repairs when needed.
Murphy blamed problems at the agency on neglect and poor leadership.
NJ Transit riders told News 12 New Jersey that they are happy something is being done.
“Especially with the price of how much we had to pay for the fare…We should have a nice comfortable ride to work,” says Jersey City commuter Monte Cook.
The governor did caution riders that the steps announced Thursday won’t solve all the problems with NJ Transit, but said that it was a start.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.