Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Power restored after blackout at Grand Central Terminal
By
Charles Lane
and
Phil Corso
Published Sep 25, 2025
Modified Sep 25, 2025
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 .
Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images
By
Charles Lane
and
Phil Corso
Published Sep 25, 2025
Modified Sep 25, 2025
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
Grand Central Terminal experienced a partial blackout Thursday night after rush hour, officials said, but power was restored roughly 30 minutes after the outage began.
According to the MTA, the outage began in portions of the facility at 8:28 p.m. due to a voltage drop to the terminal’s feeder network. Emergency officials responded before power was restored to the upper level by 8:53 p.m. and to the lower level by 9:17 p.m., according to MTA Communications Director Tim Minton.
"We are working with Con Edison to investigate the cause of the outage," Minton said.
Minton said five Metro-North employees were briefly stuck in stalled elevators until emergency generators kicked in and doors were opened.
No injuries were reported.
Officials also said there was no effect on subway, Metro-North or LIRR service. Transit continued to operate normally.
Photos and videos posted online around 8:30 p.m. showed commuters walking through a pitch black main hall.
Yvonne Ubillus, who works at Grand Brasserie inside the terminal, said the outage caught staff and customers by surprise.
“We were in the middle of service and then the lights just went off,” she said. “Some people got scared, so people started walking out of the station."
She said power was restored around 9 p.m., roughly 30 minutes later, but not all systems were back online.
"We still don't have a gas line working,” she said.
Commuter Shola Adekola, who was traveling from the Bronx to Manhattan, said the darkness was unsettling.
“It was pretty dark. You could hardly see anything,” he said. “It was scary, but fortunately, people took out their phones and turned the camera on.”
Tagged
manhattan
public safety
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
Read more
Phil Corso
Phil Corso is the evening news editor at WNYC/Gothamist. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
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 .