New Yorkers had a rough transition from snow day to work day on Wednesday, as subway and bus service made for long morning wait times, packed subway platforms —notably on the L train from Brooklyn into Manhattan —and unexpected service suspensions in some places. Not all delays were due to weather and snow issues, however. Many of the disruptions were attributed to medical emergencies and investigations, according to the MTA, such as the 7 train which was shut down between 34th Street Hudson Yard and Queensboro Plaza. “We’ve had intermittent weather-related signal and switch issues, which happen when temperatures drop below freezing, as well as two sick customers (Q & E line) that impacted morning service,” an MTA spokesman told Metro. Bus service across the city was held up because of snow and ice on the roads and route changes.
The MTA restored above-ground subway service Tuesday at 6 p.m., after having suspended it to prepare for Winter Storm Stella, and the expected heavy snowfall. The MTA reported delays on the 7, B, D, F, M, Q, R, and W lines, while L train commuters reported packed platforms and a paucity of trains. L train service was so snagged that commuters in Brooklyn were overflowing the platform up the stairs and out of the stations.
“One of two entrances to Bedford Ave L train station was completely crowded, and people were waiting on the sidewalk, snapping photos for social media. Second entrance was a bit better, that is, for those who could jump over a huge puddle downstairs,” Magda Nuovo told Metro on Wednesday, recounting her morning commute. Photos posted to social media showed many commuters looking at their phones on elbow-to-elbow platforms.
Metro-North train service, which was suspended entirely for several hours during Tuesday’s storm, was restored to a modified schedule Wednesday morning, but many trains were also running with 20-minute delays.
“It’s like everyone in New York decided to go back to work today, even the ones that don’t work, but the MTA still thinks it’s a snow day.”
— Jenna F Flanagan (@JFlanNYS) March 15, 2017
These trains tbh I wish the MTA was a little organized 30 minutes waiting already ? I miss my car ?#mta #nyc #newyork ?♀️
— Sarah Shah (@sarahshahs14) March 15, 2017
