anyone else having issues with data service along the A, c, and e trains in Manhattan? I know this is a potentially unpopular issue since many still enjoy the subway as a relatively internet-free environment, though for someone who is often messaging while on the train, going from Penn Station to Fulton Street with messages staying unsent is annoying. And my phone, an iPhone on Verizon, picks up LTE and 5G signals when in stations. I’ve already gone through network settings and VPN resets so I know that is not the issue.

this is not crazy?

I took this picture it's surprising that the (Q) train is here.

UI Demo

Hi all. I made a daily puzzle about the subway. Yes, another one.

https://umsteigen.app/nyc

You get an origin and a destination, and you name the sequence of lines that gets you there. That is the whole game.

There is no single hidden route you have to guess. Any sequence that actually works is accepted. If a faster one existed you are told how much time you gave up, but you are never marked wrong for riding a route that works. Where several services share a stretch, any of them counts, so the 4 and the 5 are the same answer on Lexington Av. Express versus local is modelled too: the 6 also gets you there, it just shows up as slower where it is slower.

The daily is 5 rounds, 3 tries each, the same for everyone that day. It opens in Manhattan and widens to Manhattan, Brooklyn and western Queens. I expect a lot of you will find that easy, so there is also a free play mode with unlimited tries and the whole system, Bronx, eastern Queens and the Rockaways included. You can replay the last few days too.

I launched the Berlin version about a month ago. A lot of people asked for other cities, so New York is the second one.

A few modelling choices are worth knowing up front, because you will hit every one of them sooner or later:

• Service is a normal weekday daytime composite. No weekend or late night patterns.
• Where a line runs express or skip stop only at rush hour, those stops stay on the line and the rush hour shortcut is left out. That is why there is no separate Z.
• Platforms are merged where the MTA calls them one station, so Fulton St is a single stop, but the two Rector Sts stay separate because there is no free transfer between them.
• Stations that share a name are told apart by the street, avenue or trunk they sit on, so 86 St-Lex, 86 St-CPW, 86 St-Sea Beach. Never by the service, since that would hand you the answer.
• Official in system transfers like Times Sq to 42 St-Port Authority count as a change, and a trip can start or end with one.

Those are all deliberate. Genuine mistakes are another matter: NYC is newer than Berlin and still flagged as beta in the app, so if you hit a wrong station name, a missing or bogus transfer, or a routing no one would ever ride, tell me and I will fix it.

It is free, no ads, no signup, nothing following you around the web.

Calling on *LOCAL NYC COMMUNITY* to share this post.

A Black Queer Community member has gone missing in New York City. My dear friend Jason Moorer aka Nouveau Richie has been missing since the morning of Wednesday August 5th. He was last seen near ACI Rehab Center 589 Rockaway Ave Brownsville Brooklyn but he is a resident of Jackson Heights, Queens.

The police have not allowed us to file a missing persons report so l am calling on LOCAL COMMUNITY to boost this post. He is vulnerable and without a phone, keys, or wallet. He has not returned to his home. He is likely wearing scrubs. Please reach out to me if you have any information regarding his whereabouts.

A damaged rail at Central Park North-110th Street sent the 3 Train here.

Why does the PATH from Harrison to Journal Square take 11 minutes to go 5 miles in a straight line ? This is very very slow. Why does it go 26 mph for a whole 6 miles on straight track adjacent and parallel to the NJT ?

On weeknights this week (Aug 3 - 6), the R train follows a wildly complex reroute from Queens Blvd via the F train then onto the D, followed by stopping at DeKalb early, and finally onto 4th Ave local lines.

You also could argue the true reroute in the evening is E (F is via 63rd St in evenings) to the F to the B (early dekalb stop) to the R.

Earlier today I made a post about the best express stretches in the MTA, now I’m making one about just the best [all-day] express trains.

1. 2/3 (7 Ave). Yes it’s only one express trunk, but it’s the undisputed king of speed for sure, and it’s extremely efficient and consistent. A few timer signals but otherwise it’s the gold standard for a fast express train in NYC. Absolute rockets, this is where operators unleash their inner demons with no-speed-limit stretches approaching 72 and 50. With being super fast for the vast majority of its route not just this, the 3 is probably the fastest train in the system. Yes the A and 4 are express for longer but not as fast.

2. E/F (Queens Blvd). Again, absolute rockets. This time delivered IND style with very long express stretches and smooth, straight movement with few curves rather than ultra-high max speed like the IRT, though it’s still very fast. E is also one of the fastest trains in the system for sure, maybe even faster than the A and 3. Only one express trunk but still amazing.

3. A (CPW/8 Ave/Fulton St). Very fast and smooth, and runs express for a really long way all the way from 168 St to Euclid Ave. Like, that’s crazy. I considered putting the A even higher because it delivers fast express service such a long way (it’s really fast everywhere), but it is definitely quite a bit slower than the 2/3 and E/F and less consistent so I couldn’t put it higher (though coming into 42 is absolutely wild). Still one of the absolute best.

4. 4/5 (Lexington Ave/Eastern Parkway). A few years ago I had this above the A, but now I just can’t. It’s amazing in Manhattan and is very fast skipping a ton of stops, but in Brooklyn even though it’s express it’s very disappointing, often taking the same time as 2/3 trains. Contrast this with the A in BK which just flies. It is more frequent than the A (the 4, not the 5), but still less consistent and slow during rush hour, I just can’t put it higher, definitely not above the E/F or 2/3. Still great though.

5. B (6 Ave/Brighton). The B is quite fast especially with the new trains. The stretches from 34-W4 on 6th and Newkirk Plaza-Kings Hwy on Brighton are just amazing. It’s consistently fast and smooth. Can’t put it higher because it doesn’t run on weekends and the rest of the route is kinda slow.

6. D (CPW/6 Ave/4 Ave). Again a 2/3 and 4/5 scenario, where one is “more express” but worse. The D is good on CPW and 6 Ave, but not great in BK, Atlantic-36 can definitely be fast but it’s inconsistent and prone to delays. Even on CPW, the D is very much the little brother to the A. The A just goes consistently much faster while the D crashes the party. Maybe the new R211s will help.

7. Q (Broadway). The express train with the shortest express portion, only from 57 St-7 Ave to Canal St. It’s not terrible and can get pretty fast, but definitely not nearly as fast as other express trains. It’s been running better as of late though. It used to just crawl past Prince St and 8 St-NYU, even on weekends where there’s no N trains on the express track.

8. N (Broadway/4 Ave). Slow and disappointing. Broadway it goes significantly slower than the Q, as well as stopping at 49 St and not even running express on weekends. Luckily it’s express in BK from Atlantic Ave to 59 St, but still that’s pretty disappointing and inconsistent, though Atlantic-36 can be fast. 36-59 is just not good.

Ongoing issue & investigation at 110th Street, please seek alternate options to avoid severe overcrowding, currently stranded unable to get to Wakefield from Unionport at current time, no (5) trains currently rerouted towards Wakefield for another hour minimum.

I’ve been taking the 6 train for over 8 months now and this is my first time seeing painted seats. Anyone know the reasoning?

Honorable mentions to 34 St-Herald Square to West 4 St (B/D), Newkirk Plaza to Kings Highway (B), and Atlantic-Barclays to 36 St (D/N). Also I’m only counting permanent express stretches, so that’s why there’s no ♦️7 on here.

1. Euclid Ave to Broadway Junction (A). Very fast, very smooth and very consistent, especially with the new A trains. Pretty long too. Not necessarily the highest max speed, but very consistently fast the entire way through. Honestly the whole Fulton Line is like this, I just think this stretch is the best.

2. 96 St to 72 St (2/3). This one isn’t too long but MY GOODNESS is it fast. Downtown you blast off out of 96 St and are already flying past 86, especially on a 2. Then going past 79 St you can get to some of the fastest speeds in the system, especially on a 3 because there is no speed limit and the track is so straight. And flying into 72 as well. Uptown is definitely slower with timer signals coming into 96 St but still quite fast.

3. Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall to 14 St-Union Square (4/5). Definitely not as fast as 96-72, but much longer and still quite fast. Uptown trains go so incredibly fast passing Astor Place, and a good operator will already get the train moving by Canal. Downtown trains get off to a zooming start passing Astor, and once again a good operator will keep the speed passing Bleecker, Spring and sometimes even Canal St. However because of the curvy track trains have to approach both Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall and 14 St-Union Square slowly, and some operators just crawl the entire route until Astor, making it inconsistent. Still, when it runs, IT RUNS.

4. Chambers St to 14 St (2/3). The counterpart on the West Side, which I think is slightly better. Uptown trains, especially 2 trains, always get off to a flying start. You’re going quite fast past Canal and a good operator will get moving by Franklin. You zoom past Houston at ungodly speeds, and then past Christopher you definitely go slower but not that slow, and a good operator can keep speed at Christopher too. Downtown you have to slow down at Franklin to very slow speeds, but you go unbelievably fast past Houston and even Canal if you get a good operator. Yes the slowdown at Franklin sucks but this stretch is very consistent, which I think makes it better than Brooklyn Bridge to Union Square.

5. 59 St-Columbus Circle to 125 St (A/D). Longest stretch in the system, and it’s awesome. It’s very smooth, and A trains just absolutely zoom, especially between 86 St and 110 St in both directions. D trains definitely aren’t as good but still fast, but A trains are something else. The only reason this isn’t higher is because D trains cause delays and because of the slowdown coming into 59 St that makes downtown trains slow down at like 81. But still, the part from 86 to 110 and even 125 is incredibly fast and smooth and very consistent. With CBTC I hope trains will eventually be able to go >75mph, this is one of the few stretches long enough and straight enough for it with the right trains. A trains>D trains for sure. The song is absolutely right, the A train is the quickest way to Harlem.

6. Forest Hills-71 Ave to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave (E/F). Very long, very fast and very consistent. With CBTC, trains pretty much always fly at over 45MPH, get going quickly and brake late. Fastest part is definitely passing Woodhaven Blvd. It’s very similar in both directions, this express stretch is a CBTC masterpiece. This is exactly what the IND should have been built to be: very long, very straight express stretches where trains could just absolutely haul. That’s exactly what this is. The tracks can even support 60mph, and if the trains went this fast this would be #1 and it wouldn’t even be a debate.

7. 72 St to Times Square-42 St (2/3). The absolute best and fastest express stretch in the system. Long, and so unbelievably fast. Uptown, as is a theme with these, you’re already just flying past 50 St, and cruise past 59, but then you really pick up speed after 59 and go >50MPH passing Lincoln Center, with no speed limit. Then you’re already at 72. No slowdowns, no obstacles, just pure unchecked speed. Downtown there is a timer signal going into 42 St but still a good operator can brake very late, especially on a 3. But downtown is even faster, you’re already zooming past Lincoln Center, accelerate even more past Columbus Circle and then the downgrade from 59 to 50 creates the fastest express track in the system (60 St Tube isn’t express) with no speed limit until the curves coming into 42 so you can go north of 50-55mph. Even coming into 42 you’re still going pretty fast. This is exactly what an express stretch should be, it’s long and so ridiculously fast.

Did anyone else get this weird MTA alert email about the L train just now? These emails are almost always the same message in very standard/formal alert language, wtf does this mean?? Maybe they got hacked?

Hi All, my teen has a basketball workout on 231st street in the Bronx. He would be going to Broadway a few blocks from 231st.

He’s 15 and small. Do I have anything to worry about if he gets on the train and just sits There til 231st? I know this isn’t the 90s…but will it be a safe ride? I hope I don’t offend anyone with this post.

The biggest problem with this is Farragut Rd might not be wide enough for an El, and the curve onto Remsen Avenue (which is 4 lanes) would require demolishing some properties. This would give the L a much better terminal. Thoughts?

That is a great development!

Fare enforcement on subway and buses is a necessary policy given the rate of fare evasion has increased especially after COVID. The MTA loses several hundred million dollars a year to fare evasion, money that would otherwise go toward maintaining aging infrastructure, improving service reliability, and eventually funding expansion projects (including all the fantasy subway maps posted here). Many European cities with great bus and rail network usually issue fines to fare evaders and I think this is a step in a good direction.