BOSTON (WHDH) - A power issue caused a Commuter Rail train on the Providence/Stoughton Line to run without heat as temperatures stayed below 20 degrees during the early morning hours.
Providence Train 802 departed from Wickford Junction at 4:45 a.m. while operating with minimum lighting and without heat or air conditioning due to the power issue, the MBTA Commuter Rail tweeted.
It arrived at South Station in Boston at 6:40 a.m.
MBTA officials encouraged passengers looking for “better travel conditions” to consider taking train 806 from Wickford Junction at 5:45 a.m.
Temperatures hit 15 degrees in Providence, Rhode Island, at 6 a.m., with Boston reaching 19 degrees.
One passenger recalled other commuters attempting to stay warm during the chilly ride.
“For me, I love the cold, so I wasn’t as chilly. But other people, you could tell, they were really cold on the train,” he said. “They were bundled up and it wasn’t a fun ride. Not fun at all.”
The cause of the power issue was with a component of the locomotive that supplies electricity to the coaches, according to a Keolis spokesperson.
Mechanical crews are continuing an investigation into this incident.
Due to a power issue, Providence Train 802 (4:45 am from Wickford Junction) will operate with minimum lighting & without (heat or AC) today. Passengers may consider Train 806 (5:45 am from Wickford Junction) for better travel conditions.
— MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) January 21, 2020
Single digits in the colder burbs this morning. 19 in Boston. pic.twitter.com/dnpCtHJzPI
— Chris Lambert (@clamberton7) January 21, 2020
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