MTA's Cleaning Conundrum: L Train Cars Left Filthy for Months After Key Car Washer Breaks Down
The notorious grime that has plagued New York City's subway system for years has reached a new low. The trains on the L line, which traverse through Brooklyn and Queens, have been left to accumulate an unspeakable amount of filth, with no end in sight in sight as the MTA's car-washing station at its Canarsie train yard remains broken.
A severe summer rainstorm took out the facility during a critical moment when it was needed most, leaving riders to suffer through trains caked in dust and handprints, with some even sporting black grime stains through their windows. The once-pristine exteriors of these underground vehicles have devolved into an eyesore, prompting commuters like Gabriella Hermalyn, 33, to opt for alternative routes, such as the G train.
"This is the condition of our public transportation right now? It's horrible," she lamented. "It's like they're not taking care of their own equipment anymore." The MTA's efforts to keep its newest trains clean have fallen by the wayside, with riders paying out the nose for a service that seems woefully inadequate.
Commuters are up in arms about the lack of attention being paid to the L line. Taino Brigs, 39, expressed his frustration after boarding an L train so grimy it was hard to see through its windows. "I know it's tough to keep these things clean, but it's like dirtier than they should be." The agency's decision to raise subway fares by $3 in January seems particularly cruel, given the state of these trains.
MTA officials have acknowledged the problem and are working to repair the car-washing station. However, the delay will mean that commuters are forced to endure a service plagued by filth for months longer. As one official noted, the agency is conserving taxpayer dollars by continuing to clean the interiors while awaiting the return of its exterior wash facility.
The notorious grime that has plagued New York City's subway system for years has reached a new low. The trains on the L line, which traverse through Brooklyn and Queens, have been left to accumulate an unspeakable amount of filth, with no end in sight in sight as the MTA's car-washing station at its Canarsie train yard remains broken.
A severe summer rainstorm took out the facility during a critical moment when it was needed most, leaving riders to suffer through trains caked in dust and handprints, with some even sporting black grime stains through their windows. The once-pristine exteriors of these underground vehicles have devolved into an eyesore, prompting commuters like Gabriella Hermalyn, 33, to opt for alternative routes, such as the G train.
"This is the condition of our public transportation right now? It's horrible," she lamented. "It's like they're not taking care of their own equipment anymore." The MTA's efforts to keep its newest trains clean have fallen by the wayside, with riders paying out the nose for a service that seems woefully inadequate.
Commuters are up in arms about the lack of attention being paid to the L line. Taino Brigs, 39, expressed his frustration after boarding an L train so grimy it was hard to see through its windows. "I know it's tough to keep these things clean, but it's like dirtier than they should be." The agency's decision to raise subway fares by $3 in January seems particularly cruel, given the state of these trains.
MTA officials have acknowledged the problem and are working to repair the car-washing station. However, the delay will mean that commuters are forced to endure a service plagued by filth for months longer. As one official noted, the agency is conserving taxpayer dollars by continuing to clean the interiors while awaiting the return of its exterior wash facility.
this is getting out of hand... I mean I get it, maintenance is a big deal, but come on! L train riders are stuck with dirty trains and no end in sight 
it's like the MTA is just expecting people to suffer because they can't be bothered to fix the car-washing station. $3 more subway fare? 
that's just cruel... I'm all for conservation, but this doesn't feel like a smart move at all 
But seriously can someone explain why they cant just, like, do one thing right for once? First it's the trains, now its the fares... it's all just a big mess. And btw have you guys ever noticed how hard it is to get a good coffee in this city? Like I'm trying to plan my day and all I can think about is getting a decent cuppa 
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! i get it, equipment breaks down and stuff, but come on mta, how long do we gotta wait?! 
it's like they're saying "we'll get to it eventually"... meanwhile, our trains are basically dust bunnies 
. and $3 more for a service that's already not that great? 
just raise the fares for the cars that can't be washed yet, or something! 
Shouldn't we be striving for a system that not only keeps its infrastructure tidy but also reflects our values as a society? The MTA's broken car-washing station might just be the symptom of a larger issue – our willingness to accept mediocrity in exchange for convenience.
and yeah who needs interior cleaning when the outside is all grimy anyway? 
I was on the L train the other day and it was like a dumpster fire in there. I've been riding the subway for years and I never thought I'd see the day where the trains are dirtier than they should be. It's not just about aesthetics, it's about safety too. I mean, how can we trust that these trains aren't gonna break down or cause some kind of accident because they're caked in grime? And to think the MTA is conserving taxpayer dollars by cleaning the interiors but not the exteriors... it just doesn't add up. 
i swear if i have to take the G train one more day im gonna lose it my windows are already caked with grime from the l train 
anyone else got a problem with this?!
. The $3 subway fare hike was already a bummer, but now we get to pay more for subpar service? Thanks for making us feel like we're not getting our money's worth 
. and $3 subway fare hike? that's just cruel 
.
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. Anyway, I'm def taking the G train from now on 
. Anyone else catching a ride on the grimy L line? 
... now it's just a grimy nightmare. I remember when subway rides were all about the adventure, not the dust and dirt. 
. Can't they fix the car-washing station already? It's been broken for months 
, I feel so bad for those poor L train riders having to deal with that gross stuff! Like, shouldn't our public transportation be a priority? My kid would literally freak out if she saw her school bus looking like that 
It's like they're trying to make us suffer for real! Who comes up with this stuff? 
That's like taking all that extra money and throwing it in the trash. I swear, it feels like they're just trying to rip us off at every turn.