Passengers endured a chaotic and grueling experience on Wednesday night when two F trains were stranded underground in New York City due to a power failure, leaving 3,500 riders trapped for hours. Social media quickly filled with videos and firsthand accounts of the ordeal, with many describing it as “absolutely brutal.”
The Incident
- The trains were stuck between Jay Street-Metro Tech and Bergen Street in Brooklyn.
- Passengers reported no air conditioning or Wi-Fi, adding to the discomfort.
- FDNY crews eventually evacuated the trains, guiding passengers along the dark subway tracks and up graffiti-covered staircases.
Passenger Reactions
Maia Star McCann, who documented the experience on TikTok, described the situation as confusing and frustrating:
- “It’s like a game of telephone. No one knows what’s going on,” she said.
- Some passengers missed important engagements, including one who shared that her dinner reservation cancellation still incurred a fee, despite sending proof of her predicament.
Others tried to find moments of levity amid the chaos. Jillian Marshall described the experience as “kind of exciting” and referred to her fellow passengers as her “F train comrades.” Anders Nelson noted that straphangers supported each other, sharing food and improvising solutions for restroom needs.
Rescue Efforts and Aftermath
The evacuation, assisted by FDNY personnel, brought scenes of passengers emerging from underground staircases. Many praised the calm and helpful response of the MTA and FDNY.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered a full investigation by the MTA and Con Edison into the electrical failure.
“New Yorkers deserve a world-class subway system,” Hochul stated. “No one deserves to be trapped underground for two hours.”
While the incident highlighted the resilience of New Yorkers, it also underscored the challenges facing the city’s aging transit infrastructure.
