JFK Express
Encyclopedia
The JFK Express, advertised as The Train to The Plane, was a premium-fare service of the New York City Subway
, connecting midtown Manhattan
to John F. Kennedy International Airport
.
The JFK Express used R46
s exclusively for most of its existence, although near its end R44
s were used when the R46s began midlife overhauls. All JFK Express trains were 3 or 4 cars.
created a few 30-second long television commercials to promote the new service.. Train ran daily from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM on 20 minute headways. The route began at 57th Street
and ran express on the IND Sixth Avenue Line
to West Fourth Street – Washington Square, where it switched to the IND Eighth Avenue Line
and ran express to Jay Street – Borough Hall in Downtown Brooklyn
. From that point on, it ran non-stop on the IND Fulton Street Line
and IND Rockaway Line
to Howard Beach – JFK Airport.
At times, regular passengers were allowed on the trains and no fares were charged due to disruptions on other services; this included the 1988 closure of the Williamsburg Bridge
, after a painter discovered a hole in a girder. At other times, some passengers paid the extra fare to use the JFK Express to reach Aqueduct Racetrack
.
On October 29, 1989, the IND 63rd Street Line
opened and the JFK Express was extended to 21st Street – Queensbridge with the , , and trains. However, this extension was short-lived as service was discontinued on April 15, 1990. The JFK Express proved to be unsuccessful, seeing low ridership in part because the service did not actually serve any airline terminals, but rather transferred passengers to a shuttle bus service that was several hundred yards from the station.
Following the discontinuation of the JFK Express, the train continues to serve Howard Beach – JFK Airport station. The JFK shuttle bus service remained in operation until AirTrain JFK
, a light rail system that is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
and also connects with the Long Island Rail Road
and subway ( trains) service to Manhattan at Jamaica
, replaced it on December 17, 2003.
A current proposal, the Lower Manhattan – Jamaica/JFK Transportation Project, would provide express train service between JFK Airport and Lower Manhattan
through Brooklyn. This would be similar to the JFK Express except that the service would be an extension of AirTrain JFK and operate via the LIRR Atlantic Branch, providing a one-seat ride to the airport terminals.
New York City Subway
The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and also known as MTA New York City Transit...
, connecting midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan, or simply Midtown, is an area of Manhattan, New York City home to world-famous commercial zones such as Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and Times Square...
to John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Queens in New York City, about southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North...
.
Fares and Rolling Stock
The premium fare for the JFK Express was collected by train conductors on board, who punched the tickets that passengers had to purchase prior to boarding. In addition to the conductors, there were transit police officers aboard to provide protection for travelers.The JFK Express used R46
R46 (New York City Subway car)
The R46 is a New York City Subway car that operates on the IND and BMT routes of the New York City Subway. They were built by Pullman Standard in Chicago, Illinois in 1975–78. These cars, as well as the previous R44 were long. While most R44s had Westinghouse propulsion, the R46 had General...
s exclusively for most of its existence, although near its end R44
R44 (New York City Subway car)
The R44 is a New York City Transit car model that debuted in 1971 and currently operates on the Staten Island Railway.-History:The R44 was the first 75-foot car for the New York City Subway. It was introduced for the B Division under the idea from New York City Transit that a train of eight cars...
s were used when the R46s began midlife overhauls. All JFK Express trains were 3 or 4 cars.
Service History
The JFK Express began operation on September 23, 1978, and the Metropolitan Transportation AuthorityMetropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the U.S...
created a few 30-second long television commercials to promote the new service.. Train ran daily from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM on 20 minute headways. The route began at 57th Street
57th Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line)
57th Street is a station on the IND Sixth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 57th Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, it is served by the F train at all times...
and ran express on the IND Sixth Avenue Line
IND Sixth Avenue Line
The Sixth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in the United States. It runs mainly under Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, and continues south through the Rutgers Street Tunnel to Brooklyn...
to West Fourth Street – Washington Square, where it switched to the IND Eighth Avenue Line
IND Eighth Avenue Line
The Eighth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line in New York City, United States, and is part of the B Division of the New York City Subway...
and ran express to Jay Street – Borough Hall in Downtown Brooklyn
Downtown Brooklyn
Downtown Brooklyn is the third largest central business district in New York City , and is located in the northwestern section of the borough of Brooklyn...
. From that point on, it ran non-stop on the IND Fulton Street Line
IND Fulton Street Line
The IND Fulton Street Line is a rapid transit line of the IND Division of the New York City Subway, extending from the Cranberry Street Tunnel under the East River through all of central Brooklyn to a terminus in Ozone Park, Queens. The IND Rockaway Line branches from it. It forms part of the A...
and IND Rockaway Line
IND Rockaway Line
The IND Rockaway Line is a rapid transit line of the IND Division of the New York City Subway. It branches from the IND Fulton Street Line at Rockaway Boulevard, extending over the Jamaica Bay, into the Rockaways.-History:...
to Howard Beach – JFK Airport.
At times, regular passengers were allowed on the trains and no fares were charged due to disruptions on other services; this included the 1988 closure of the Williamsburg Bridge
Williamsburg Bridge
The Williamsburg Bridge is a suspension bridge in New York City across the East River connecting the Lower East Side of Manhattan at Delancey Street with the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn at Broadway near the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway...
, after a painter discovered a hole in a girder. At other times, some passengers paid the extra fare to use the JFK Express to reach Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...
.
On October 29, 1989, the IND 63rd Street Line
IND 63rd Street Line
The IND 63rd Street Line is a rapid transit line of the IND division of the New York City Subway system. It runs from the IND Sixth Avenue Line at 57th Street east under 63rd Street and the East River through the 63rd Street Tunnel to the IND Queens Boulevard Line in Queens...
opened and the JFK Express was extended to 21st Street – Queensbridge with the , , and trains. However, this extension was short-lived as service was discontinued on April 15, 1990. The JFK Express proved to be unsuccessful, seeing low ridership in part because the service did not actually serve any airline terminals, but rather transferred passengers to a shuttle bus service that was several hundred yards from the station.
Following the discontinuation of the JFK Express, the train continues to serve Howard Beach – JFK Airport station. The JFK shuttle bus service remained in operation until AirTrain JFK
AirTrain JFK
AirTrain JFK is a 3-line, -long people mover system and elevated railway in New York City providing service to John F. Kennedy International Airport...
, a light rail system that is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state port district, established in 1921 through an interstate compact, that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure, including the bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports, within the Port of New York and New Jersey...
and also connects with the Long Island Rail Road
Long Island Rail Road
The Long Island Rail Road or LIRR is a commuter rail system serving the length of Long Island, New York. It is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, serving about 81.5 million passengers each year. Established in 1834 and having operated continuously since then, it is the oldest US...
and subway ( trains) service to Manhattan at Jamaica
Jamaica (LIRR station)
Jamaica is a major hub station of the Long Island Rail Road, and is located in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. It is the largest transit hub on Long Island and is one of the busiest railroad stations in the country with over 200,000 daily passengers...
, replaced it on December 17, 2003.
A current proposal, the Lower Manhattan – Jamaica/JFK Transportation Project, would provide express train service between JFK Airport and Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan is the southernmost part of the island of Manhattan, the main island and center of business and government of the City of New York...
through Brooklyn. This would be similar to the JFK Express except that the service would be an extension of AirTrain JFK and operate via the LIRR Atlantic Branch, providing a one-seat ride to the airport terminals.
Route
The following lines were used by the JFK Express service:| Line | Tracks | When |
|---|---|---|
| IND 63rd Street Line IND 63rd Street Line The IND 63rd Street Line is a rapid transit line of the IND division of the New York City Subway system. It runs from the IND Sixth Avenue Line at 57th Street east under 63rd Street and the East River through the 63rd Street Tunnel to the IND Queens Boulevard Line in Queens... (full line) |
always | |
| IND Sixth Avenue Line IND Sixth Avenue Line The Sixth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in the United States. It runs mainly under Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, and continues south through the Rutgers Street Tunnel to Brooklyn... north of West Fourth Street – Washington Square |
local | always |
| IND Eighth Avenue Line IND Eighth Avenue Line The Eighth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line in New York City, United States, and is part of the B Division of the New York City Subway... south of West Fourth Street – Washington Square |
local | always |
| IND Fulton Street Line IND Fulton Street Line The IND Fulton Street Line is a rapid transit line of the IND Division of the New York City Subway, extending from the Cranberry Street Tunnel under the East River through all of central Brooklyn to a terminus in Ozone Park, Queens. The IND Rockaway Line branches from it. It forms part of the A... north of Rockaway Boulevard Rockaway Boulevard (IND Fulton Street Line) Rockaway Boulevard is a station on the IND Fulton Street Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Rockaway Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard/Cross Bay Boulevard, and Liberty Avenue in Ozone Park, Queens, it is served by the A train at all times.This station has two side... |
express | always |
| IND Rockaway Line IND Rockaway Line The IND Rockaway Line is a rapid transit line of the IND Division of the New York City Subway. It branches from the IND Fulton Street Line at Rockaway Boulevard, extending over the Jamaica Bay, into the Rockaways.-History:... north of Howard Beach – JFK Airport |
local | always |
Station listing
 |
Station | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queens Queens Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States.... |
|||
| 21st Street – Queensbridge | new terminus after completion of IND 63rd Street Line IND 63rd Street Line The IND 63rd Street Line is a rapid transit line of the IND division of the New York City Subway system. It runs from the IND Sixth Avenue Line at 57th Street east under 63rd Street and the East River through the 63rd Street Tunnel to the IND Queens Boulevard Line in Queens... ; opened October 29, 1989 |
||
| Manhattan Manhattan Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York... |
|||
| Roosevelt Island Roosevelt Island (IND 63rd Street Line) Roosevelt Island is a station on the IND 63rd Street Line of the New York City Subway. Located on Roosevelt Island in the East River, between Manhattan and Queens, it is served by the F train at all times. The station opened in 1989 in conjunction with the partial completion of the 63rd Street... |
opened October 29, 1989 | ||
| Lexington Avenue – 63rd Street | opened October 29, 1989 | ||
| 57th Street 57th Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line) 57th Street is a station on the IND Sixth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 57th Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, it is served by the F train at all times... |
original terminus before IND 63rd Street Line IND 63rd Street Line The IND 63rd Street Line is a rapid transit line of the IND division of the New York City Subway system. It runs from the IND Sixth Avenue Line at 57th Street east under 63rd Street and the East River through the 63rd Street Tunnel to the IND Queens Boulevard Line in Queens... opened |
||
| 47th–50th Streets – Rockefeller Center | |||
| 42nd Street – Bryant Park | |||
| 34th Street – Herald Square | |||
| West Fourth Street – Washington Square | |||
| Chambers Street | |||
| Broadway – Nassau Street | |||
| Brooklyn Brooklyn Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated... |
|||
| Jay Street – Borough Hall | |||
| Queens Queens Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States.... |
|||
| Aqueduct Racetrack Aqueduct Racetrack (IND Rockaway Line) Aqueduct Racetrack is a station on the IND Rockaway Line of the New York City Subway. Located on the west side of Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, Queens, it is served by northbound A trains but is open only on racing days from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.... |
Station serves northbound trains only, and is open between 11:00 AM–7:00 PM on racing days at Aqueduct Racetrack Aqueduct Racetrack Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:... . |
||
| Howard Beach – JFK Airport | transfer to Port Authority Port Authority of New York and New Jersey The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state port district, established in 1921 through an interstate compact, that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure, including the bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports, within the Port of New York and New Jersey... shuttle bus to airport terminals |
||
External links
- JFK Express TV Commercial "Train to the Plane" (1980) (35-second video clip) - from the MTA's YouTube Video Information Channel (Made January 5, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.)