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L Train Problems Cause Overcrowded Nightmare Commute
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 3, 2020
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 3, 2020
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Commuters hoping to get to work via the L train this morning were greeted with dangerously overcrowded subway cars and platforms, as the MTA had to "remove a train with mechanical problems from service" at 1st Avenue. The packed conditions spurred the usual angst, with added fears about COVID-19.
This all happened as it was announced that a man who works in Midtown was hospitalized with the coronavirus disease and is in serious condition, in what may be New York’s first case of community spread.
Common sense suggests you practice social distancing, and try to stay 6-feet away from anyone who seems sick, but that will be difficult in many New York City scenarios, and impossible when the subway breaks down like this.
Haley Rassette was stuck in the mess, and told Gothamist this morning, "I had an absolutely horrendous time getting to work," noting she got to the Bedford L at 8:40 a.m., and did not get to work at 9:45 a.m. Typically, she says, the trip takes about 25 minutes.
"I could barely get down the stairs to even get onto the platform at the Bedford L. Both Manhattan-bound and Rockaway bound trains had arrived at the station, but people were grid-locked and couldn't move. People couldn't get down the stairs, and people couldn't get up because there were too many people. Luckily I got onto the L, I hoped that was the last of my train troubles but I was so incredibly wrong. I couldn't even get on the first G train, I had to wait a full 22 minutes for the next G train to arrive and even then I barely made it onto that train and was again smashed like a sardine in the train. And of course, with the outbreak of coronavirus it does cross your mind, but I have to be honest I was so completely angry and dumbfounded by the MTA's lack of ability to have functioning trains that I was too mad to be scared."
She added that, "This has probably been the worst morning I've dealt with, but it's not the least bit surprising as this seems to happen often."
And Rassette wasn't alone:
The MTA noted that the problems became worse because of another incident involving a "disruptive passenger" on the line.
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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