Seven seems to be an unlucky number lately for the subway system.

Vandalism on the 7 train could soon affect service for those who rely on this line to travel between Queens and Manhattan.

“We’re going through enough crap, you know, to deal with this now," said one commuter.

What You Need To Know

  • Vandals have smashed dozens of windows on several subway trains over past few months

  • The total cost of the damage to the MTA so far is about $300,000

  • The vandalism has happened so often the MTA says it has gone through its stockpile of replacement glass

The most recent attack on a 7 train happened Wednesday at the Vernon Jackson station in Long Island City. Several windows on several cars were shattered. That same day, a window on a 7 train in Flushing also was bashed.

A few weeks ago, windows on a 7 train in Hudson Yards in Manhattan were vandalized - the MTA believes from inside the cars, possibly with a pipe or hammer when no one was onboard.

Each time this happens, the MTA has to pull the train out of service for hours to replace the windows, which cost about $500 a piece. The MTA now faces a total of about $300,000 in damages from the vandalism at a time when its struggling financially because of the pandemic.
 

 

 


“To have to divert funds that can be used to improve service or other things that are wear-and-tear types of things that keep ridership safe, we’re having to spend time and money and resources working on these windows," said MTA Chief Safety Officer Patrick Warren. 

The vandalism has happened so often the MTA says it has gone through its stockpile of replacement glass. The MTA says if the vandalism continues at this rate, and it cannot quickly replenish its supply of winds, it may have to reduce service on the 7 line.

“How frustrating to think that vandals could impact your commute? That’s wrong. They should get attested, you know. Put in jail," said one 7 train rider.
 

 

 

 

“That could be frustrating and that would make me late for work, which isn’t a good thing. I work in a hospital, so it’s important that I have to be there," said another 7 train commuter.

These attacks on trains started several months ago. The NYPD is now investigating dozens of similar cases mostly on the 7 train, but also on the 2 and 3 lines.

Police have not made any arrests yet. There is no indication yet that these are all connected. The MTA calls this vandalism despicable and dangerous. It wants whomever is responsible to pay for the damages.