Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Babies Born On R Train, B61 Bus—LIRR Baby Next Up?
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 13, 2009
Modified Jun 13, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 13, 2009
Modified Jun 13, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
It's been a baby boom on NYC Transit! On Thursday, a woman gave birth to a baby girl on a Queens-bound R train—and on Friday, another woman gave birth to a baby girl on the B61 bus! Can babies on the LIRR or Metro-North be next?
According to NYC Transit, the R train delivery occurred when the train was waiting at the Whitehall station. The Rail Control Center was alerted at 1:20 p.m., but Shondell Lancaster's water broke. (The mom-to-be and her fiance were headed from Brooklyn to their Queens hospital for the delivery.) Conductor Bretta Sykes, who was waiting at the station to start her shift on an incoming W train, entered the train and suggested Lancaster take deep breaths to slow the process, since EMS was on the way. But soon Sykes realized had to act—she had pulled Lancaster's pants down and saw the baby's head!
While colleague Tyrone Cloud helped control the crowd, Sykes, herself a mother of two, delivered the baby, "My motherly instincts definitely helped me think and act quickly. I caught the baby and used my coat as well as the baby’s father’s jacket as blankets until EMS arrived.” But she told the Daily News she didn't cut the umbilical cord: "I'm a conductor. I only push buttons." The Benton and the baby, named Alisha Nia Benton, were taken to Downtown Beekman Hospital and were in fine condition and proud new dad Melvin Benton said, "We love the MTA now. With this kind of service, we approve of the fare hike." Here's video of Sykes describing the delivery to the AP:
And on the B61 yesterday morning just before 10:30 a.m., a baby girl was born on a B61 at the intersection of Manhattan and Greenpoint Avenues in Brooklyn. According to NYC Transit, "Though the Bus Operator did not deliver the baby, he was quick to notify bus Command who called for Police and Medical assistance as the child was being helped into the world by a female customer. Mother and child were removed by ambulance to Woodhull hospital and B/O returned bus No. 9481 to Grand Avenue Depot for cleaning."
Tagged
baby
baby on bus
baby on train
MTA
nyc transit
special delivery
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
The Democratic incumbent repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump. The Republican challenger largely avoided bringing up New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 9:05 p.m. ET
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .