A power outage due to a tripped breaker disrupted subway signals underground on W. Fourth Street in Manhattan on Tuesday morning, causing significant delays on several train lines. The incident, which first came to light shortly after 8:30 a.m., affected the A and C lines primarily, but also resulted in scattered outages for the B, D, F, and M lines, according to transit officials.
NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow reported that the initial response revealed the signals were receiving power, prompting teams to investigate the issue further while simultaneously working to resume train movement. The outage left an unspecified number of trains stranded underground, unable to progress past red signals, although the air conditioning on these trains remained functional thanks to the unaffected third rail power.
To mitigate the situation, Crichlow’s crews managed to lower emergency stop arms, allowing trains to proceed slowly through the red signals. By 10 a.m., all stranded trains had been safely relocated from the affected area, according to an MTA spokesperson. Service began to gradually return to normal later in the morning, with expectations for full operations to be restored in time for the late afternoon and evening commute.
The investigation into the cause of the tripped breaker is ongoing, but the rapid response of the transit team highlights the city’s efforts to maintain subway operations and address power issues efficiently. This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities of urban transit systems and the importance of prompt maintenance and response protocols.
Overall, while disruptions can be frustrating for commuters, the resolution of this incident reflects the dedication of transit workers to ensuring passenger safety and minimizing delays.