A single photo sums up just how bad New York's commuter nightmare has gotten
A single photo sums up how subway disruptions are affecting New York commuters on a regular basis:
A track fire at the 145th street station caused major delays along the A, B, C, and D subway lines on Monday morning.
But the disruption also caused severe overcrowding on subway platforms as stranded commuters attempted to switch from the A to the 1:
Lines were also lengthy for commuters attempting to take the bus as an alternative:
Lyft prices skyrocketed:
An FDNY spokesperson told amNewYork that the fire was sparked by garbage on the track.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been attempting to clear the amount of trash on subway tracks since last August by increasing the number of track cleanings. The MTA also ordered three vacuum trains designed to collect and clear trash.
The first two vacuum trains are set to arrive this year, according to a 2016 press release. The MTA did not immediately return Business Insider's request for comment.
But the track fire highlights the general fragility of New York's aging subway system as disruptions pile up.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared the MTA was in a state of emergency in June. As a result, MTA chairman Joseph Lhota has until the end of August assess capital needs for cars, tracks, and signals. Cuomo also said he would add $1 billion to the MTA capital plan.
Fire on A train, switched to 1. More delays. Now 168 st. station packed w/people trying to get in elevators. WTF @NYGovCuomo @NYCMayor @NY1 pic.twitter.com/iwibqgTq8c
- Natalie Brito (@NatalieHBrito) July 17, 2017
A train suspended due to track fire. No. 1 station so crowded we can't even get to platform. pic.twitter.com/zS0tJAO92D
- Emma G. Fitzsimmons (@emmagf) July 17, 2017
yoooooo 1 train is insanity rn lmaooooooo pic.twitter.com/3dXyPPFAcn
- eleanor rigby (@robokitty99) July 17, 2017
@NYGovCuomo @BilldeBlasio @MTA @c_pichardo @ydanis @JMartinezNYC This is the scene at 145th waiting for the M4 bus. pic.twitter.com/toQedygeD0
- Ryan Mensing (@ryan_mensing) July 17, 2017
#mymorningcommute #sucks @MTA trains are on fire @lyft charge INSANE $$ and not even all the way to work, now been on 3 buses #happymonday pic.twitter.com/IcJmF9yWqX
- Leah Danley (@35LeahD) July 17, 2017
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