Subway Service on W Line Suspended After Vandalism Spree
NEW YORK (WABC) — Subway service on the W line was suspended most of the day Wednesday after a vandalism spree on Tuesday evening. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reported that a vandal or vandals smashed 78 windows on 35 trains from the inside while they were in service.
As a result of the extensive damage, service was suspended overnight Tuesday and throughout most of Wednesday. The MTA stated that they were running out of spare glass to make the necessary repairs due to the high number of damaged windows.
By 11 a.m. on Wednesday, 25 trainsets had been repaired, but the damage had already impacted hundreds of thousands of commuters before service resumed at around 5 p.m. The vandalism also affected the B, D, N, F, and Q lines, causing significant disruptions for commuters across the city.
Officials estimated that the repair bill for the extensive damage could potentially reach six figures. NYC Transit President Richard Davey expressed frustration over the incident, stating, “When this stuff happens, it frustrates the hell out of me and I know it frustrates the hell out of our commuters. Because they just want to get home, they want to get to work, they want to get around the city.”
In an effort to expedite repairs and enhance security, the MTA announced that they would be using windows from unused trains and assigning extra officers to subway platforms. Additionally, authorities are relying on the subway system’s vast and robust video surveillance system to aid in identifying the vandals.
The MTA and the New York Police Department are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact a police officer or MTA employee. Alternatively, they can call NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
The disruption caused by the vandalism has raised concerns among commuters and city officials about the need for increased security measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The MTA has yet to announce any specific plans addressing these concerns.
In the meantime, commuters are urged to stay updated on the situation and make necessary adjustments to their travel plans. Eyewitness News will continue to provide updates on the repairs and any developments related to the investigation.
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