Commuter Rail

An MBTA Commuter Rail train pulls into Readville station in Hyde Park.

(Garrett Quinn, MassLive)

BOSTON -- An alert went out to MBTA commuters early on Wednesday morning warning them that Commuter Rail service was "was delayed until further notice" but officials are saying that warning was sent in error and are investigating the matter.

Keolis, the company that operates the Commuter Rail, initially considered the messages the result of a "possible hack" but it is now chalking up the alerts to a "technical issue."

The Commuter Rail is operating 48 of the 62 locomotives and 339 of the 366 coaches it normally runs during peak travel times. The service has struggled to put more than 50 locomotives on the rails in the aftermath record snowfall and brutally cold weather.

MBTA officials do not expect Commuter Rail service to return to normal until sometime in mid-March.

Update: @MBTA, Commuter Rail Investigate False Service Alerts pic.twitter.com/Pj1HwGYREH — WBZ | CBS Boston News (@wbz) February 25, 2015

Gov. Charlie Baker has been strongly critical of Keolis and called their performance unacceptable. Baker has expressed support for issuing refunds to MBTA passholders. Outgoing MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said on Monday that the agency will consider issuing refunds at its next two board meetings.

Problems were not limited to the Commuter Rail on Wednesday though as MBTA riders reported problems and frustrations across the system during rush hour. The Red Line experienced severe delays due to a disabled train at South Station, a major transit hub in the MBTA system. The Orange Line is experiencing the now normal overcrowding and problems that come with it.

Signs of a good morning on the #mbta pic.twitter.com/z7Z3OS8yP4 — Brian Gaffey (@b_gaffey) February 25, 2015

Severe delays on the redline due to a disabled train at S Station. #mbta pic.twitter.com/Zp4JAm3zlY — Amy Judd (@juddamy) February 25, 2015

(Trying to be) en route to @MAPCMetroBoston mtg to talk transpo issues, but can't fit on train! The irony #MBTA pic.twitter.com/jdStZNVLy5 — Sarah E. Kennedy (@sekennedy9) February 25, 2015

@mbta This is normal service at wellington. God help people at sullivan pic.twitter.com/PbLKsoU73g — Andre Leroux (@Andre929) February 25, 2015

@universalhub been at Wollaston for 45 min. Next train 10 minutes. No way we get on either. #mbta pic.twitter.com/spE46xcZqy — Spooky scary (@Rilebot) February 25, 2015

Material from wire services was used in this report.