LA MTA Redline Subway Train Stuck In Tunnel

Monday May 12, 2008 (I know, I'm a few days late and a $1.25 short) a Redline Train from North Hollywood to Union Station experienced mechanical difficulties and was stuck in the tunnel just short (I estimate approximately 6 or 7 train car lengths) of arrival at the Hollywood/Highland Station.
I arrived at the station at approximately 9:15 AM and reaching the platform I saw a Sheriff Officer and Fare Inspector at the gate of the tunnel gangway and passengers coming out of the tunnel on foot. The passengers were being escorted one car at a time by another Fare Inspector.
I overheard one woman telling another that they had been kept in the train cars for a long time with no air and that it had been hard to breathe. I asked one of the passengers how long they had been kept on board the train. He stated that it was almost an hour, or at least 45 minutes.

The question is, why did it take so long for MTA officials to make the decision to off load the passengers???

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• MojaveRanger
• LA
• MTA
• Redline
• Subway
• Train
• Stuck
• In
• Tunnel
• North
• Hollywood
• Highland
• Union
• Station
• Passengers
• Sheriff

[pili2255]

Awesome!

Gaby

[MojaveRanger]

Muchas gracias Gaby... tambien you are awesome!!!

[aliceangel7]

Thanks for your comments on Megan Meier. You might like to know that this week Lori Drew was indicted and faces up to 20 years in prison on charges of conspiracy and accessing protected computers to obtain information to inflict emotional distress.

[MojaveRanger]

Thank you AA7... this is very pleasing news!!!

[aliceangel7]

Hi, looks like that voiceofreason guy is back (comment on Megan -Lori) An indictment is not a conviction, nor will it ever be. All the Meiers have done is waste a lot of time and your (assuming you are old enough to pay taxes) money. lol

[MojaveRanger]

'voicesOfReason2' is a prime example of a 'user name' that doesn't fit!!!

[TheEDFLegacy]

(Stupid overflow) ...tries to run away down another direction to another tunnel, which could have live rails.

The other reason is that they have to shut the power down, and to make sure that it doesn't come on until it's safe. In addition, evacuating the cars would be difficult; in some cities, you can't walk between cars between access doors; because of this, the only way off of the train is from the side doors, which are high off the ground.

Hope this helps. :)

[TheEDFLegacy]

Why did they take so long? I may be able to help you.

First of all, subway tunnels are very long, and thus is a huge hike to send hundreds of people down that tunnel.

Second of all, they would need to bring down dozens of officers to ensure that A) People head the right way, B) They prevent more from entering the tunnel, C) Prevent people from accessing the emergency kits and maintenance tools along the tunnels, D) To ensure no one is mugged in the darkness, and E) To make sure no one...

[SuperHotLarry]

They needed to turn off the power to the tracks HOW COULD YOU NOT KNOW THAT!?!?

[travelplus1]

Pee Po Folk did the page lol

[D40LFR]

wow! Those transit people are not nice!

[camwizardoz]

yea, metro red line cars cant be accessed by passengers through the front and rear doors, so the side doors must be used, although there is a walkway to the side of the tracks at the level of the doors so unloading the passengers wouldnt be too much of a hassle

[Jaanfo]

45-60 minutes is actually a pretty good response time all things considered. When transit breaks down the last option is to evacuate, it's much preferrable to attempt to move the equipment, either by troubleshooting or towing. Once those options are ruled out safeguards must be provided. In this case house lights had to be activated and the electricity turned off, and a sufficient number of employees had to be on-site to ensure safety. An emergency evac would likely be done a lot quicker.

[RTD1]

Brian on the PA!