New York City subway riders faced major disruptions on Wednesday morning after a wave of vandalism that left dozens of train windows smashed and service on the W line suspended. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) said that a vandal or vandals broke 78 windows on 36 trains from the inside, apparently while the trains were in service. The damage was estimated to cost $500,000 to repair and affected several lines, including the B, D, N, Q, R and W.
The MTA said it had exhausted its supply of replacement windows and had to take windows from other trains in the yard. The agency also said it was running out of spare glass and had to order more from the manufacturer. The vandalism spree was the worst since 2020, when more than 400 windows were smashed on subway cars, mostly on the 7 line.
The MTA’s president of New York City Transit, Richard Davey, expressed his frustration and anger at the culprits and vowed to find them and prosecute them. He said the vandalism affected hundreds of thousands of commuters who rely on the subway to get around the city. He also said he had train crews who wanted to work but had no trains to run.
Police Investigating Video Evidence
The New York Police Department (NYPD) said it was investigating the incident and reviewing video footage from subway yards and stations. The police said they did not know how many suspects were involved or what tool they used to break the windows. They also did not know where or when exactly the vandalism occurred.
The NYPD’s Transit Bureau Chief, Michael Kemper, said he was confident that the video system in the subway would help identify the perpetrators. He said the subway had more cameras than a Las Vegas casino and that they were extremely helpful in solving cases like this. He urged anyone with information to contact the police or Crime Stoppers.
Subway Riders React to Vandalism
Subway riders who were affected by the vandalism expressed their dismay and disbelief at the senseless act. Some said they had to find alternative ways to get to work or school, while others said they were late or missed appointments. Some also said they felt unsafe and wondered why someone would do such a thing.
One rider, Maria Gonzalez, said she had to take a bus instead of the W train from Astoria to Manhattan. She said it took her an extra hour to get to her job as a cashier. She said she was angry and sad that someone would damage public property that so many people depend on.
Another rider, Kevin Lee, said he was shocked when he saw the broken windows on his N train from Brooklyn. He said he felt sorry for the MTA workers who had to fix them and for the other riders who had to deal with delays and cancellations. He said he hoped the police would catch the vandals soon.
MTA Asks for Public Support
The MTA said it was working hard to restore service and repair the damaged trains as soon as possible. It said it expected to resume normal service on the W line by Wednesday afternoon and on other affected lines by Thursday morning. It also said it was taking measures to prevent future vandalism, such as increasing patrols and inspections.
The MTA also asked for the public’s support and cooperation in reporting any suspicious activity or vandalism on the subway. It said anyone who sees something should say something to a police officer or an MTA employee, or call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. It also thanked the riders for their patience and understanding during this difficult time.