N.J. trains cut over brake fix

DESPERATE to make a federal deadline, NJ Transit is cutting service on four of its busy lines to complete work on an emergency braking system.

Customers on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, Morris & Essex Lines and Pascack Valley Line will be affected as work crews race to meet a Federal Railroad Administration deadline of Dec. 31 to install positive train control.

The technology can slow down or stop a train in case of engineer error.

Weekend service will continue a as usual on the impacted lines.

NJ Transit employees will be a available at major terminals to help people understand the changes.

The MTA, meanwhile, is behind schedule to install the braking technology.

In April, tests conducted on the L Long Island Rail Road’s Port Washington line failed to stop trains in 16 of 52 attempts.

The U.S. Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires all railroads to install positive train control by the end of the year or face stiff fines.