Commuter impact from Amtrak derailment

Here's what you need to know about how the Amtrak tragedy is affecting rail service.

Amtrak:

For Friday, Amtrak service between New York and Philadelphia remains suspended. Amtrak says trains aren't expected to run on that stretch of the Northeast Corridor until Monday.

Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman said Thursday that the agency was hoping to restore at least limited service by Monday, with the possibility of full service resuming Tuesday.

Full service has been restored between New York and Boston for Friday. Scaled-back operations are expected to remain in place between Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia through Monday.

SEPTA:

Trenton Line: Service is suspended. It could be a week before trains are running again.

West Trenton Line: Extra trains are running but there have been delays due to high ridership.

SEPTA officials Wednesday afternoon outlined alternative weekday transit options for commuters affected by the fatal Amtrak train derailment that has shut down the Trenton Regional Rail Line.

The agency has created an enhanced schedule for its West Trenton Regional Rail Line, officials said, and will begin employing shuttle services and additional parking options to assist riders.

"While we made it through today, I think tomorrow is going to be the real challenge," said SEPTA Deputy General Manager Jeffrey Knueppel, who estimated the offline Trenton service could take one week to restore. The Trenton line carries about 12,000 riders daily.

Officials said six additional trains in the morning and evening this week will augment the West Trenton Line service and that the line will also run more frequently -- every half hour.

A New Jersey Transit shuttle service will run between SEPTA's West Trenton Station and the Trenton Transit Center beginning Thursday.

Officials also said a free shuttle service will also run from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. between the Cornwells Heights Station and the Frankford Transportation Center.

An additional 200 parking spaces at the Frankford center have been secured at the parking lot on Griscom Street near Pratt Street. There will also be an extra 200 spaces at the Neshaminy Mall available; riders can use the Route 14 bus to travel to the Frankford center.

Starting Friday, SEPTA will also cross-honor Amtrak tickets on the West Trenton Line.

To see the agency's full alternate plan, click here.

NJ Transit:

Service on the Atlantic City Rail Line between Philadelphia's 30th Street Station and Cherry Hill is resuming Friday.

The agency is cross-honoring Amtrak tickets on the River Line. Amtrak tickets are also cross-honored between New York City and Trenton.

PATCO:

Service is not affected but the system is cross-honoring tickets for SEPTA's Trenton Line, Amtrak and NJ Transit's Atlantic City Rail Line. Riders with those tickets should use the red phone at the gate to speak with a customer service agent in order to enter the station.

Inquirer Staff Writer Angelo Fichera contributed to this report.