The L train melted down during rush hour this morning, necessitating a full stoppage of service between Brooklyn and Manhattan that's since tapered off into an "extensive delay" situation.

The trouble began with an unspecified "mechanical problem" afflicting a train at Bedford Avenue just before 9 a.m. Riders reported being stuck on overheated and overstuffed cars for upwards of 15 minutes, before they were eventually spit back onto the crowded platform, which is still very much a construction zone.

Was stuck in packed subway car and it got so hot people opened the window. Luckily doors opened but now stuck for an indefinite amount of time. I love being late because of this train! Well spent $ on Bluetooth swipes and policing. Thanks #ltrain @nycsubway @NYCMayor @NYGovCuomo pic.twitter.com/QnC67yBY7A — Franny Elder (@FrannyElder) February 24, 2020

Stuck on an L train, then train is kicked out of service bc of door issues. Hello Monday and fuck the MTA — East Coast Emo 🌌🦄🧜‍♀️💗💜💙 (@D_Nates) February 24, 2020

The look of the platform when you’re stuck on a train for 15 mins before they decide it’s out of service and kick you all off. NYC! The subway! The L! We love it! pic.twitter.com/WlPWYkPdbV — Emma Chessen (@emmachessen) February 24, 2020

Emma Chessen, a 25-year-old associate at a non-profit, said she was stranded on the train for 15 minutes before it was eventually taken out of service. She decided to stick it out, while her co-worker, who was on the same train, gave up and crossed the East River by ferry. They got to the office about the same time. "It ended up taking me over an hour to do a 30 min commute but I did eventually make it in," she told Gothamist.

The delays eventually spread to Brooklyn-bound L trains as well. The MTA warns that riders should continue to expect "extensive delays in both directions as we clear significant congestion." They've recommended riders switch to the J/M trains, or make use of the 14th Street busway.

Elsewhere in the system, N, R, and W trains have been running with delays all morning after the MTA was forced to take a train out of service at Herald Square that had its brakes activated. Others trains seem to just be taking their sweet time today.

If all of this seems like too potent a symbol for the first Monday morning of the post-Byford era, consider these literal barricades that now separate transit officials from the masses.

Your Train Daddy is gone, and he's not coming back.

then y’all are going to sit here and not even have the manhattan bound M trains running frequently???? please pick a struggle — Alexis Breanne (@_AlexisBreanneS) February 24, 2020

@NYCTSubway are you going to compensate me for the hour of work I’ve lost bc the L train doesn’t work? Or perhaps my metro card fare considering that you aren’t actually providing me with the service I paid for...thanks! — Ryan (@jewliaroberts_) February 24, 2020

I know it’s just coincidental that today is the first day post-Byford but today’s 7 min 30 sec travel time from Franklin to Atlantic was the slowest trip I’ve had in months. (It’s been much faster since leaving Atlantic.) — Second Ave. Sagas (@2AvSagas) February 24, 2020

Hey just a heads-up, there’s literally no service on the L towards manhattan right now so maybe don’t lie to people and say trains are being held “momentarily” since people are losing money as a result of this, thanks — arbys 🍞 (@Danno2430) February 24, 2020

@NYCTSubway crawling between 59 and 36. Just announced: delays due to track work, please make adjustments to your schedule. Like I can go back in time and leave my house 20 mins earlier to make up for unannounced track work?!? Why do apps report #GoodService? — Erika Karnell (@CricketTimesSq) February 24, 2020

A spokesperson for the MTA did not respond to Gothamist's inquiries.

UPDATE: A spokesperson for the MTA, Tim Minton, provided Gothamist with the following update on this morning's issues: "An indicator light went out in the train cab at 9:05am. The crew followed proper protocol, checking the train to determine whether any doors had come open and discharging passengers due to what appears to have been a faulty light. No doors were found to be open and no issues were present beyond the illuminated indicator."

Minton continued, "We regret that this caused a delay in service just past the end of rush hour. Congrats to Gothamist on any extra clicks generated by referencing a popular meme in the headline of this story.”



Memes? Clicks? We don't know what he's talking about, but please continue sharing this article on social media with the hashtags #MondayMotivation, #HarryStyles, and #BabyYoda until we can figure it out.