NEW YORK — About 3,500 people had to be evacuated from two disabled New York City Transit subway trains Wednesday evening after a power outage in Brooklyn — a process that took almost three hours.
CBS News reports power was knocked out between the Jay Street-MetroTech and Hoyt-Schermerhorn Street stations about 5:30 p.m., disrupting service on the A, C, F, and G lines. In addition to the two F line trains that required evacuations, three other trains were briefly disabled but were able to back to their previous station.
“We thank the hundreds of transit workers, firefighters, NYPD officers and responders from other agencies who worked quickly to assist riders” on the two trains, New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said in a statement. “Fortunately, evacuations were orderly and there appear to be no serious injuries.” The New York City Fire Department said at least one person had to be taken to a local hospital.
Most service was restored by 10 p.m. Wednesday. The F line saw a reroute followed by some delays early this morning because of emergency track maintenance near Jay Street-MetroTech, according to NYC Transit posts on X.com, but as of 9 a.m. ET today, the MTA website shows no remaining issues on the lines affected.
Long time subscriber here. I was on one of the stuck F trains that stalled just after leaving the Berget St. stop. While the two hour wait was not ideal, I did enjoy getting a first-hand look at the two-level emergency exit stairwell as we evacuated. Our train was stalled on the F line cross-under just prior to Jay St. (inbound), so we climbed past the tracks above and out onto the street. Smart design by the original IND engineers to put the emergency exit there. We did not have to walk far at all in the tunnel. MTA staff was sufficiently communicative throughout the ordeal, and FDNY first responders were excellent, keeping the situation calm for all.