'Disabled' E Train Traps NYC Subway Riders, Causes Ripple Of Delays Across System

JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS — Three trains were halted along the E/F line near the Roosevelt Avenue station in Jackson Heights around 1:20 p.m. Friday afternoon, trapping passengers inside the train and causing a ripple effect of delays on the E, F, M and R lines.

The MTA's explanation about what happened is a little complicated, so brace yourself:

MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said in an email to Patch that three trains were initially halted near the Roosevelt Avenue station around 1:15 p.m., after multiple train signals stopped working both to the north and south of the station. Then, just as crews began "slowly" and manually flagging the trains through, "the train operator of the first train observed two individuals in the tunnel." At first, the people in the tunnel were believed to be "self-evacuating," Ortiz said — so "trains had to be stopped while they looked for the two individuals" for upward of 40 minutes. In the end, however, the tunnel people were "identified as homeless."

Express service on the E and F lines should resume shortly, the MTA spokesman said around 3:45 p.m.

For around two hours Friday afternoon, the MTA's only response to the E/F troubles came via Twitter. Officials tweeted that a train had become "disabled" at Roosevelt Avenue, and that additional E and F trains may be stuck behind it. "Customers behind the disabled train at Roosevelt Av, for your safety, please remain inside the train" and "listen for announcements and instruction from train crew," officials tweeted. "Maintainers are on the scene investigating. We will keep you updated."

One Twitter user who said he was stuck in an E train tweeted to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo: "A kid just wet herself on this E train because nothing works. How are your light shows coming along?" (Context here.)

A slew of other E and F passengers reported being stuck in the system as well:

As the situation unfolded Friday afternoon, southbound E trains were running local from the Forest Hills-71st Avenue station to the Queens Plaza station, and southbound F trains were running local from the Forest Hills-71st Avenue station to the 21st Street-Queensbridge station, the MTA said online.

"Expect delays on the E, F, M and R trains," the MTA said. "Allow additional travel time."

In another subway fail Friday that mangled the morning commute, a southbound Q train derailed near the Sheepshead Bay station, shutting down B train service in huge swaths of Brooklyn and the Bronx and causing major delays on the Q line. Fortunately, no one was injured, according to the MTA — but both lines were still experiencing some delays and service changes by afternoon.

We can’t fix Penn Station or update the subway’s signal systems. But we can give voice to your frustration, hold those in charge accountable and find creative ways to make commuting more pleasant. Patch is partnering with WNYC and Gothamist to do just that. Join "We the Commuters" and you’ll receive tips, inspiration and a megaphone for your voice this summer.