NYC Subway Delays: Signal Problems Roil 9 Lines

NEW YORK — Signal problems were to blame for screwing up Friday morning commutes on nine subway lines. The all-too-common issues caused delays and service changes on the A, C, E, F, M, R, 4, 5 and 6 trains, according to the MTA.

Some E, M and R trains were rerouted over the F line because of signal problems at Court Square-23rd Street, while an issue between Spring Street and 14th Street-Union Square forced 5 trains to run over the 2 line between Brooklyn and the Bronx, the MTA said.

Commuters should also expect delays on the 2, 3, 4 and 6 lines because of the latter problem and subsequent service change, the transit agency said. The MTA advised riders to take the M101, M102 or M103 buses along Third and Lexington avenues as an alternative.

Yet another signal problem at Canal Street forced northbound C trains to run express between that stop and 59th Street-Columbus Circle, causing delays in service on all three Eighth Avenue lines, the MTA said.

To make matters worse, northbound Q trains were sent over the N line from Coney Island to DeKalb Avenue after a person was struck by a train at Ocean Parkway, the MTA said. Southbound Q trains are also bypassing Ocean Parkway.

Normal service had resumed by 10:15 a.m., according to New York City Transit. But not before straphangers shared horror stories on Twitter of interminable commutes and long waits for trains at the end of the work week. One photo showed the Court Square E platform teeming with people.

"Literally been on this 6 train from Parkchester for over an hour and just getting to 96th street- still have a ways to go for a 10am meeting that apparently I’m going to miss," Nata Bean wrote. "I know I could have walked faster."

New York City Transit acknowledged the mess and noted riders can track its progress on the so-called Fast Forward plan to revamp the subway system.

"We care about getting NY'ers to their destinations on time and our crews are working hard to restore normal service as quickly as possible," the agency wrote in a tweet to one upset straphanger.

(Lead image: Photo from Shutterstock)