Roosevelt Island Subway Escalator Out Of Service Since Last April - MTA Announces Another Month Out Of Service Until September 30, Why Does It Take MTA 6 Months Or More To Fix Roosevelt Island Escalator?

As reported August 6, the Roosevelt Island F Train subway escalator from street to mezzanine has been out of service since last April.

The MTA has repeatedly claimed service will be resumed by May 20, then June 20, followed by July 31 and August 31.

This has been out of service since April. You have moved the dates 4 times already (initial date 5/20/19). At times both up escalators are out. See the timestamp pics. And now you figure out that it needs a complete overhaul? What a shame. Fire your contractor. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/A0fOHZ5HIT

— Vik Patra (@vikpatra) August 6, 2019

The Roosevelt Island subway escalator has not been repaired as of today, September 3. Last Sunday, a Roosevelt Island Tipster reported:

Although I saw people working on the Roosevelt Island F train escalator earlier today, I also saw this updated sign. I don’t expect the escalator to be operational anytime soon.

According to the MTA Subway Elevator and Escalator web page:

MTA mechanics were seen working on the escalator last week

 and today

but why does it take 6 months or more to fix one Roosevelt Island subway escalator?

The MTA tweeted this explanation August 2:

We have taken the entire escalator apart (see: 👇) to replace the steps and step chains, and we want to make sure that any other component that needs repair is repaired. While it's taking a bit longer, it will result in a more reliable escalator in the long term. (2/2) ^MW pic.twitter.com/NLTBa1GKny

— NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) August 2, 2019

Another Roosevelt Islander compares NYC subway to London's:

Quite a difference between London Undergrounf and Roosevelt Island @NYCTSubway Station with frequent escalator and elevator breakdowns. https://t.co/jOWsezAH4x

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) August 31, 2019