By Juan Soto
Service on the 7 train was partially restored Monday after ice on the third rail shut down the whole line for hours.
There were no subway trains between Flushing’s Main Street and Times Square, the MTA said, between the morning rush and late afternoon. The Metropolitan Transit Authority said shuttle buses for straphangers were available in both directions.
As of 4:04 p.m., the MTA said there was shuttle train service between the Main Street and 74th Street stations.
A NY1 report said a rider dropped an umbrella, which hit the third rail, contributing to the shutdown.
“I can’t confirm that, but it did happened at a different location at a different time,” she said, referring to the original icing problem.
The MTA advised riders to take the E, F, R, N and Q train, and the Q32 bus line.
The agency pointed out the LIRR was cross honoring tickets at the Flushing, Mets-Willets Point and Woodside stations.
A spokeswoman for the MTA said that workers were continuing to de-ice the rails during the afternoon hours heading into the evening rush.
Also, service was suspended at about 12 p.m. for 30 minutes on the Howard Beach Air Train line between Federal Circle and Howard Beach stations.
Lenis Rodrigues, a Port Authority spokeswoman, said buses were available for riders while service was being restored.
According to Breaking News Network, the 32 passengers on board the train affected were evacuated.
“Service resumed,” Rodrigues said.
