As flooding cripples New York City transit system ...

Only cyclists and walkers remain calm

Posted by Maywa Montenegro (Guest Contributor) at 3:54 PM on 08 Aug 2007

Read more about: New York | New York City | severe weather | public transportation

At around 4:30am today, a powerful storm swept through New York City and surrounding areas, dumping nearly two inches of rain over Central Park in just one hour before spinning into "tornado-like" gusts in Brooklyn.

The downpour was over soon enough, but the sudden surge of water flooded our subway system, causing every major line to be shut down. Service on buses and trains into the city was either suspended or delayed, right in the midst of rush hour on a sweltering hot day.

By now, most people have either made it to work or given up trying, and at City Room, a blog in the NY Times regional section, many are weighing in about their morning commutes.

As far as I know, absolutely no subway service in lower Manhattan. I stood for 20 minutes in a No. 5 train before they announced no service. So I walked up to work at 45th and Madison and arrived a soaking mess. A word to the wise: DON'T DRESS UP TODAY IF YOU'RE WALKING! (J. Guha)

This is such a nightmare. I can't believe that the MTA wants to hike fares so that they can offer the same crappy, crappy service. (Suzanne)

I usually drive from Nassau county and park in Kew Gardens to take the E or F train to downtown Manhattan., usually a 20 min. drive. This morning it took me an hour and 40 mins because of flooding and resulting traffic snarls around the Kew Gardens interchange area. Once I got to the subway, I learned that there was no subway service to Manhattan. Turned around and drove home. (Michael)

The PATH commute from Jersey city to 33rd St took about a 100 minutes today. It usually takes about 20-25. (SR)

The buses are so crowded they don't stop, or, if they do, they can only take one or two new passengers. Since I'm an old 60's protester, I stopped several cars to ask the drivers if they would take some of us to work. Guess what they said -- if they even opened their windows? Do we look so dangerous or is there just no civility left? (Linda)

I rode my bike to work today, as usual. No delays. (Mike)

For story: As flooding cripples New York City transit system ...
4 Comments | Post a Comment

Yes, but did Mike...

... have a wet line up his bum?

by plum at 4:16 PM on 08 Aug 2007

Washed Up Siblings

My sister Carole was starting a new job on Wednesday and had to travel from L.I. to Hunt's Point...couldn't make it and had to turn back.

My brother Paul was stuck commuting from CT to Manhattan on the the trains and it took him -- 7 hours!

If you want to know why the subways flood, check out this vid on Fora TV:

"Alan Weisman on The World Without Us"
http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=1413

Manhattan was originally hilly, but they were all plowed down. But their were about 20 rivers that were buried...and they still flow, underground. Which is why the subway has to maintain pumps to eliminate the water. If they were switched off, the whole thing would flood (or if they get overwhelmed by additional water from rain).

Guess the hurricanes are lessening though:

"Forecasters see less active 2007 hurricane season"
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSWAT007989 ...

This is to be expected as temperatures increase but also normalize across different zones.

Texeme.Construct(function(x)=Participation(x))

by jabailo at 9:03 AM on 09 Aug 2007

one disadvantage of mass transit

Elected officials not willing to spend enough money to make a system sufficiently robust that it can handle unusual events... or even usual events. Saving tax dollars by building minimal infrastructure. Someone has to eventually pay for it. Why don't they do it right the first time. I hate Republicans.

That said... this is a clear demonstration of one of the advantages of not relying on public transportation. One glitch and everyone suffers. Better to have efficient and reliable personal transport. Far more flexible, able to adapt to changing conditions over decades.

Why would anyone think it is a good idea to build a system that's default value is to be filled with water??!!! Requires a constant input of energy to maintain it, even when it isn't moving people!

by wiscidea at 10:14 AM on 09 Aug 2007

Virtual presence vs. the $20,000/year commute

I would imagine that these commuters did not experience any commute problems.

Approximately 34 percent of CIOs whose companies allow telecommuting cited improved retention and morale through enhanced work-life balance as the greatest benefit. Increased productivity due to reduced commute time was cited by 28 percent of respondents.

by Nucbuddy at 11:19 PM on 09 Aug 2007

ADVERTISING POLICY

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