Mass transit struggles to return

Commuters trying to return to work today found buses and trains delayed, or in many cases, not running at all.

SEPTA bus service remained suspended on most suburban routes because of icy, snow-narrowed roads. In the city, a limited number of routes were operating.

On Regional Rail trains, service is up to 90 minutes late on lines that were running. The R-6/Cynwyd, R-7/Chestnut Hill East, and R-8/Fox Chase lines are not operating at all. The R-1/Airport is running hourly service, the R-2/Wilmington line was operating only between Marcus Hook and Center City, and the R-3/West Trenton line was operating only between Neshaminy Falls and Center City.

A lack of train crews, because of minimum-rest requirements and difficulty getting to work, slowed the return to normal service, said SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch.

Ridership remained light today, at about 25 percent of a normal weekday, Busch said.

The Market-Frankford and Broad Street subway lines are operating, and many passengers unable to find a bus or train were getting on the subways.

In New Jersey, PATCO trains between Center City and South Jersey were operating on a 15-minute schedule, and NJ Transit buses were running, with delays.

Service on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry has been suspended for a second day because of the weather.

For SEPTA alerts go to www.septa.org or www.twitter.com/SEPTA.

For the PATCO High Speed Line information visit www.ridepatco.org.

N.J. Transit information can be found at www.njtransit.org