A searing heat wave gripping the Northeast US has brought public transit systems to their knees, canceling commuter trains in the New York City metro area and causing delays in Washington DC. The extreme heat, which has set record highs across the country, is taking a toll on aging infrastructure, exposing the vulnerability of mass transit to the escalating impacts of climate change.
In Washington DC, temperatures tied a record high of 104F (40C) on Tuesday, marking the third consecutive day above 100F. The intense heat caused the Washington Metro and Maryland Transit Administration’s MARC commuter trains to operate with speed restrictions. Metro officials limited train speeds to 35 mph as rail temperatures soared above 135F. The extreme conditions led to a “heat kink,” or bend in the tracks caused by expanding metal, resulting in delays near Crystal City on Monday. While repairs were made overnight, the incident underscores the fragility of the system in the face of rising temperatures.
Meanwhile, in the New York City metro area, New Jersey Transit was forced to cancel multiple evening commuter trains due to “heat-related rail equipment issues.” The agency also experienced significant delays and warned of potential cancellations and combined trips for the next 48-72 hours. These disruptions come just months after the agency was plagued by canceled and delayed trains during another heat wave earlier this summer.
The impacts experienced in the Northeast are a microcosm of the challenges facing public transit systems globally. Climate change is fueling increasingly frequent and intense heat waves, straining infrastructure and disrupting services. From warping tracks to melting overhead wires, these extreme weather events are pushing systems to their limits, posing a growing threat to the efficient and reliable operation of public transportation. As temperatures continue to rise, the need for resilient and climate-adapted infrastructure becomes increasingly urgent.
