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[CNJRoss]

PATCO news release 1/17:

 

January 17 Morning Rush Hour Information

On Tuesday, January 17, PATCO passengers experienced service delays, cancellations and crowding during the morning rush hours. The service delays were a result of a series of events that removed five six-car trains from service in the span of an hour.

 

Below is the chain of events that led to service delays in westbound and eastbound service:

• 7:30 a.m. – A westbound train overshot the Collingswood Station platform. Standard operating procedure is for the train to reverse back to the platform. However, the train’s brakes would not release and the train was placed out of service.
• 7:41 a.m. – An eastbound train was experiencing braking issues and was placed out of service and in storage at 8th & Market.
• 8:09 a.m. – An eastbound train was removed from service and 15/16th & Locust with a propulsion/traction motor issue.
• 8:46 a.m. – A westbound train platforming at Ferry Avenue was reported to have burning odor. The train’s operator inspected the equipment and found an issue with a traction motor. The train was removed from service.
• 8:48 a.m. – A westbound train at Broadway Station received a major propulsion fault warning and was placed out of service and required passengers to disembark.  

Service was adjusted as best as possible to serve customers traveling westbound. During the remainder of the morning rush hours, eastbound trains were turned at Haddonfield, Ferry Avenue, and Broadway Stations to assist with alleviating crowded platforms. Normal service resumed at 9:30 a.m.

 

 

 

[CNJRoss]

PATCO news release 1/17:

 

Our #1 Goal: Provide Safe, Convenient and Timely Service

Statement from John Rink, PATCO General Manager

 

We are very sorry for our recent level of service. At PATCO, it is our number one goal to provide safe, convenient, and timely service to our customers. We know that, in recent weeks, we have failed to provide the level of service you expect and deserve. We are monitoring customer feedback and we have heard the frustration of passengers who have withstood extended wait times, crowding on our platforms and in our trains. What our customers have experienced is not the level of service we strive to provide and we continue to take steps to improve our service.

 

 

It is important to note that we have been taking steps to maintain and repair the trains to counteract the effects of the winter weather. Since the snow storm on January 7, PATCO staff has been continuously replacing traction motors and making other repairs. A total of 21 motors have been replaced since January 8th alone. A typical motor replacement can take 6-8 hours. If we need to replace both motors, we swap the bad truck with a good spare truck. This work can take 2-3 hours, sometimes 4-6 hours if shimming is needed. During the workweek, PATCO works 3 shifts, day, mid-shift and night, working on repairs, maintenance and inspections. In addition, we scheduled overtime to continue with this work and address backlog of repairs. Over this past weekend alone, more than 500 person-hours were logged in the maintaining, inspecting, and repairing the train fleet for service on Monday.

We truly apologize for the inconveniences you experienced and we thank you for riding PATCO.

For further information on the recent delays, please click on the links below.

• January 9 – City Hall Station Train Incident Information
• January 12 – Morning Rush Hour Incident Information
• January 17 –  Morning Rush Hour Delays