Then, the shit hit the fan. Just before the first stop in Camden my train came to a halt. The conductor got on the microphone and uttered something along the lines of "The train in front of us is broken down and to be honest I have no idea when we will start moving again." I appreciated his honesty.
About a half hour later, packed in like sardines, we began to move again. We arrived to a platform filled with miserable-looking passengers who had to get off the broken train and would now be forced to wait to be able to squeeze on another train.
You see, PATCO recently moved to a modified schedule due to track construction on the bridge. The schedule now has large gaps between trains at rush hour. Get used to this, it's a two-year project. So, already packed trains just got more crowded.
Apparently shortly thereafter, and I have no detailed information on this since PATCO hasn't released a statement yet, a passenger was hit by the train door or something. Our thoughts go out to that passenger and their family, hopefully everything is ok.
(UPDATE: PATCO spokesman Tim Ireland said the woman fainted while preparing to board the train and her head hit the side of the train.)
The work day comes and goes, and it's time for the commute home. Then you walk in 16th and Locust station to see passengers lined all the way up the stairs, waiting for a train. This time an engine shorted out on a train near the bridge, causing two cars to fill with smoke.
This caused massive delays as the passengers were evacuated from the train. Fortunately for myself, I was able to get a ride home from a relative. For everyone else still stuck out there I'm sorry and I hope you get home soon. Please be safe.
As for PATCO, it's safe to say a lot of people are unhappy with them tonight. They are handling this track construction poorly. Trains are dangerously overcrowded and outdated to the point of breaking down frequently, and elevators and escalators are constantly out of order.
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