Community Corner
Expect More Subway Shutdowns As Work Continues, MTA Boss Says
"New Yorkers have gotten used to it," Joe Lhota said.
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.
NEW YORK CITY, NY – MTA Chairman Joe Lhota is warning New Yorkers to expect more subway shutdowns as workers make long-overdue fixes to the system's century-old tracks.
“Quite honestly, we’re seeing more and more shutdowns late at night — 11 o’clock at night till 5 o’clock in the morning — so we can get a lot of intense work done,” he said Sunday on John Catsimatidis’ radio show. “You are going to see more of that going on.
Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“New Yorkers have gotten used to it,” Lhota continued. “We get a lot of intense work done [overnight] — just take all of the resources and plow it into one area and then move down to the next station and all the way through the tracks.”
The comments came after Lhota last week announced a sweeping range of projects to fix the subway system, which has seen constant delays and several derailments in recent months.
Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
(For more subway updates and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)
The $836 million “action plan” included replacing tracks, adding cars to trains and cracking down on litter.
Lhota said the subway’s problems are due to lack of maintenance, which he in turn attributed to a drop in MTA revenues following the 2008 financial crash.
While predicting more overnight shutdowns on some lines, he insisted the system will never completely stop service amid the repair work.
“The last thing I want to do is take away from New Yorkers something that they’ve enjoyed, which is 24-hour-a-day service,” Lhota said.
Patch is partnering with WNYC to get your voice heard. Sign up for the We The Commuters project here.
Lead image of Joe Lhota on July 18 by Shant Shahrigian/Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.