By: Richard L. Smith
Seventeen people suffered non-life-threatening injuries Friday evening when two commuter trains operated by New Jersey Transit made contact on the Montclair-Boonton Line near the Bay Street area, officials said.
The collision occurred at approximately 6:47 p.m. west of Bay Street and resulted in a minor derailment, disrupting evening rush-hour service. 
Emergency crews responded quickly, treating passengers at the scene while others were transported to nearby hospitals as a precaution.
Authorities said none of the injuries were considered life-threatening.
NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri, along with senior leadership, responded to the scene to assess the situation and support emergency operations.
The New Jersey Transit Police Department is leading the investigation into what caused the trains to collide, while officials confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board is expected to arrive to conduct an independent review.
“Our primary focus during this incident is the safety of our passengers, our employees, and our first responders,” NJ Transit officials said in a statement issued Friday night.
The crash forced the suspension of rail service on the Montclair-Boonton Line in both directions for several hours as crews worked to secure the area, inspect equipment, and remove damaged rail cars.
During the disruption, NJ Transit arranged for alternative transportation and honored rail tickets on bus routes to help riders reach their destinations.
Service on the Montclair-Boonton Line was restored after safety checks were completed, allowing trains to resume normal operations.
While train collisions are rare, NJ Transit operates one of the nation’s busiest commuter rail systems, carrying tens of thousands of riders daily throughout New Jersey and into neighboring states.
Incidents such as this one draw renewed attention to rail safety, infrastructure oversight, and the importance of thorough investigations to prevent future accidents.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation, and officials said additional information will be released as it becomes available.