L Train

The L Train, Bringing New Yorkers Together, One Service Disruption At a Time

evilben via flickr

When the L train in Williamsburg stopped running mid-morning and the northern end of the neighborhood temporarily grinded to a halt, two things came to mind. First, Williamsburg residents are almost completely reliant on one subway line. Second, there really is a Williamsburg “type.”

At around 9:50--rush hour in the neighborhood populated by young professionals, artsy types, and those who appear to be perennially unemployed--an anonymous voice announced to passengers impatiently waiting inside a First Avenue-bound subway car parked at the Bedford Avenue stop that service to Manhattan would be suspended. Hapless, confused-looking 20- and 30-somethings spilled out onto Williamsburg’s main strip on their cell phones, trying to arrange transportation, myself included.  read more »