This archive report was first published on 20 July 2019.
On the first day of a heat wave, New York City's subway system was severely disrupted on July 19, 2019, with several lines suspended in both directions, leaving passengers stranded and broiling on train platforms for over an hour.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) attributed the disruption to a network communications issue, affecting the Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 lines, as well as the Times Square shuttle.
Passengers and politicians alike expressed frustration and outrage over the abrupt interruption in service during the evening rush, with Mayor Bill de Blasio calling it 'UNACCEPTABLE' and demanding an explanation from the MTA.
Andy Byford, president of New York City Transit, acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that the root cause of the failure was not immediately clear and that the rail control center could not see where trains were on the numbered lines due to server failures.
Service was slowly being restored by 7:16 p.m., but not before passengers described oppressively hot conditions while waiting for trains on platforms, with some even resorting to taking crowded buses.
As the city's mass transit system continues to face challenges, critics argue that breakdowns like this will become more common until a modern signal system is installed.
