Massive Delays for 100,000 Customers in New York Subway

Scores of commuters have been stranded in the New York subway after thieves stole 500 feet of copper wire that helped operate subway trains and signals, the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) said in a statement.

NEW YORK (Sputnik) — Nearly 100,000 customers experienced delays, while about 40,000 customers were unable to use the subway, according to the MTA.

“Copper cable thieves caused hundreds of thousands of customers a difficult commute this morning after vandalizing cable from A Line subway tracks near Howard Beach, Queens.”

Crews discovered the theft just before midnight on Tuesday.

New York Subway

© Flickr / Wendy

The MTA said the cables, used to power trains and signals, were presumably stolen to be sold as scrap.

“We are working closely with the New York City Police Department Transit Bureau to help them investigate this crime and identify the culprits responsible,” MTA New York City Transit President Carmen Bianco said.

Crews are working to restore service by Thursday morning.

The MTA is North America’s largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.1 people, according to the organization’s website.