PATCO Works To Correct Fare Snafu After Service Disruption This Week

CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) -- The PATCO high speed line is dealing with the aftermath of a shutdown of service during the height of Wednesday afternoon's rush hour, when a tree threatened to take down power lines in Haddonfield.

Thousands of riders between Haddonfield and Lindenwold were affected not just on that ride home, but during the next day's morning rush as well.

The tree was in imminent danger of coming down, prompting the immediate action. Not only did riders have a hard time getting home, but PATCO GM John Rink says in the rush to address that issue, a secondary one crept up.

"Due to the crowds at Haddonfield station, we opened the turnstiles to allow the crowds coming into the station to exit," Rink told KYW Newsradio. Therefore, if they had a FREEDOM card, they were not tapping out of the system as they left."

When they got back on Thursday morning, the system thought they were fare evaders, and charged them an extra fare.

Rink says affected card holders can ask for a refund at 877-373-6777.

By the way, the tree is gone.