Commutes Roiled By 4-Hour Queensboro Plaza Subway Signal Snafu

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Commutes Roiled By 4-Hour Queensboro Plaza Subway Signal Snafu

A signal malfunction at Queensboro Plaza snarled commutes for four hours Monday, right after the MTA touted improved service on the 7 line.

By Maya Kaufman, Patch Staff

Dec 17, 2019 9:23 am ET | Updated Dec 17, 2019 10:02 am ET

A signal malfunction at Queensboro Plaza snarled subway service for four hours Monday, right after the MTA touted improved service on the 7. (Photo: Maya Kaufman/Patch)

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — A signal malfunction at Queensboro Plaza snarled train service on the 7, N and W lines for more than four hours Monday evening, just after the MTA touted the 7 train as this year's most-improved subway line.

The signal issue started causing delays and service changes about 5 p.m. Monday, near the start of evening rush hour. Some trains crawled along the tracks, while others were rerouted to different lines.

"We don't anticipate that the delays will substantially disrupt service, but we'll let you know if so," the MTA tweeted an hour after the agency first reported the signal malfunction.

Subway riders angrily contested the MTA's take, complaining on Twitter that they had indeed experienced substantial delays.

Twitter posts: https://patch.com/new-york/astoria-long-island-city/4-hour-queensboro-plaza-subway-signal-snafu-roils-monday-commute?fbclid=IwAR3mhuLgsrVn7HfV8YHJemwFQosw_Blp3wtxtLcxHIaz6qWQ77_iT_MSosw

It wasn't until 9:45 p.m. that the MTA reported the issue resolved, according to social media posts.

The MTA said subway officials are investigating the signal malfunction's root cause.

"Whatever it may be, we can assure you our teams are working on new innovative ways to combat these issues as part of our modernization plan," the transit authority tweeted at one incensed rider.

The hours-long delay happened just after the MTA had touted the 7 train as this year's most-improved subway line.

The 7 train's running time was about 3.5 minutes faster last month than it was in November 2018, and about 4.5 minutes faster for the express line, according to a new MTA metric called "running time," which measures how long trains take to travel between stations.

The transit authority noted in a press release Monday that it installed a new signal system along the 7 line at the end of last year, but officials didn't directly credit that for the improvements.

Running times were faster on every line in November compared to the same time a year ago, according to the MTA, which claims numbered lines ran about 2.5 minutes faster and lettered lines ran 1.5 minutes faster.

MTA officials also said there were fewer major incidents and train delays on weekdays last month compared to November 2018.

"The data doesn't lie," MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye said in a statement. "Our subway service has truly turned around."

Source: https://patch.com/new-york/astoria-long-island-city/4-hour-queensboro-plaza-subway-signal-snafu-roils-monday-commute?fbclid=IwAR3mhuLgsrVn7HfV8YHJemwFQosw_Blp3wtxtLcxHIaz6qWQ77_iT_MSosw

[CenSin]

1 hour ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

Some trains crawled along the tracks, while others were rerouted to different lines.

How can the  be rerouted? It’s one self-contained line with no in-service track connections to any other.

[Lawrence St]

Here's a prime example of the news not knowing what they're talking about and act like they're experts...

The signal problem was on the and side at Queensboro Plaza, and the reason why the got affected was because there were track workers on the track trying to fix the problem, which results in flagging and slow speeds.

[RestrictOnTheHanger]

The got stuck in the 60th st tube  behind the delayed and trains, I was on one at the start of this. 

Lawrence st is right, the train was only affected due to workers on the track and wasnt having CBTC problems. 

Did any or trains get rerouted to Forest Hills?