Signal Problems Cause Delays On Several Subway Lines

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Many subway riders were likely looking for more than an apology Monday, after signal troubles in Brooklyn created a big mess across the system during the Tuesday morning rush.

According to Con Edison, a low voltage power situation at the DeKalb Avenue station by Flatbush Avenue caused a problem with the signal system around 8:30 a.m., CBS2's Scott Rapoport reported.

The problem caused service interruptions on the B, Q and R trains. At one point, service on the B line was suspended.

"It's a power failure, the power failure delayed the trains extensively," a Metropolitan Transportation Authority worker said.

Riders ended up packed like sardines on stuck subway trains in the middle of rush hour.

Photos and video on social media showed the platform filled with passengers at the 36th Street station in Sunset Park.

"I have been traveling just from 33rd Street and it's taken me an hour and a half," commuter Arlene Boiangiu said.

"It's horrible. It's like the MTA is the worst service in the whole world," commuter Rene Agayva said.

Some riders said the blame goes all the way to the top, given that it was is not the first time something like this has happened recently.

Just last Sunday, a Con Edison transformer problem resulted in problems at the DeKalb station -- resulting in extensive delays. Commuters said it amounted to déjà vu all over again, and some pointed fingers in high places.

"Governor Cuomo runs the MTA. And Governor Cuomo is the person to hold accountable if we want to see subway service improve," said Joel Raskin, executive director of the Riders Alliance.

Raskin said the subways are deteriorating , and said Cuomo has been missing in action. He is calling for a state investigation into the Tuesday incident, along with massive delays that were seen on the subway system back on April 21.

Both cases were attributed by the Riders Alliance to "Con Ed system failures."

Con Ed told CBS2 it could not say for sure if its equipment caused the delays Tuesday.

MTA New York City Transit media liaison Amanda Kwan said in a statement, "At Governor Cuomo's direction, we are requesting a meeting with Con Edison immediately to find the root cause of these repeated service disruptions and to develop solutions."

And responding to criticism from the Riders Alliance, Cuomo's office said, 'Blasting out press releases devoid of facts is cheap and unconstructive, and we should expect more from so called transportation experts."

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• Scott Rapoport