7 subway lines suspended during the scorching heat

NEW YORK (AP) >> Several New York City subway lines were suspended in both directions during the busy Friday evening commute and at the end of a scorching day.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said it was working to resolve the issue affecting the No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 trains as well as the S shuttle train that links Grand Central Terminal and Times Square.

It blamed the suspension on a network communications problem.

The temperatures was still 91 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday evening when the stoppage happened, and it comes as the city gears up for more heat throughout the weekend.

MTA officials were not able to immediately determine the cause of the breakdown, which started at about 6 p.m.

The state agency that runs the city’s subway system urged passengers to remain in train cars while crews work as quickly as possible to bring people into stations.

At the World Trade Center No. 1 line station, a clerk issued refund tickets and directed people to other nearby lines. Passengers — many of them visitors to New York — seemed to take the developments in stride.

“It’s about what I expected,” said Derek Lloyd, who’s from Hanover, Massachusetts, near Boston and its transit system. “I don’t know that ours is much better,” he said with a smile.

On one line that was running, passengers packed into one car that didn’t appear to have air conditioning. Sweat glistened on riders’ skin as they sought relief, fanning themselves and one another.