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Q (New York City Subway service)
Encyclopedia
The Q Broadway Express is a service of the New York City Subway
. It is colored yellow on the route sign, on station signs and the official subway map, as it represents a service provided on the BMT Broadway Line
through Manhattan
.
The Q service operates at all times. On weekdays, trains operate from Ditmars Boulevard in Astoria, Queens
to Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn via Astoria
, Broadway
, the south side of the Manhattan Bridge
, and Brighton
, running local in Queens
and Brooklyn
and express between 34th Street – Herald Square and Canal Street in Manhattan
. On late nights and weekends, the Q terminates at 57th Street in Midtown, Manhattan, skipping 49th Street
.
class of subway cars as they were delivered beginning in 1960 and on all subsequent equipment ordered for the IND/BMT divisions of the New York City subway system. The former designation for the service was the number 1, itself introduced in 1924, a designation shared by all Brighton Line mainline services. The letter designations did not appear on earlier equipment that carried the former route numbers. Therefore older equipment that carried the number 1 (notably the D-type Triplex
) continued to be signed 1 until they were withdrawn in 1965.
Also with the introduction of the R27
class subway cars, the mainline local services on the Brighton Line (and other BMT services) were given double letters in conformance with IND practice. Ordinarily this would have produced a QQ service, but this designation was never used. There were two local services, the Brighton Local via Montague Street Tunnel, designated QT, which operated when the express service was running, and the Brighton Local via Manhattan Bridge, designated QB, which operated when the express did not. The so-called "Banker's Special" express, which operated a few trains in the morning and evening rush hours to the Wall Street
financial district was not given a separate designation. As this service continued to use older equipment for years after the letters were introduced, this was not usually a problem. When R27 and later cars were used on these specials, they often carried the M designation in the morning that was originally (and eventually) used on Myrtle Avenue trains, and the evening sometimes carried Q or sometimes no designation at all.
With the advent of the Chrystie Street services, the Q designation was suspended as Brighton Line express service was provided by the D
service via 6th Avenue in Manhattan. The QT and QB designations were both to be dropped as the Brighton Locals were rerouted to the Nassau Street Loop in lower Manhattan and through routed to Jamaica via the BMT Jamaica Line
. This service was designated QJ. The QB designation was retained as it was decided to run a few special local trains up the BMT Broadway Line
to answer complaints that the new services provided no access to the Broadway Line.
The service history below includes predecessor services that became the Q service before the identifier was introduced.
provide for the Q to be extended northward from 57th Street via the BMT 63rd Street Line
, which is currently used only during service disruptions. The Q would stop at Lexington Avenue – 63rd Street at the currently-hidden northern side of the platforms to provide a cross-platform transfer to the IND 63rd Street Line
(currently served by the train). East of Lexington Avenue, it would curve northward to merge with the Second Avenue Line at about 64th Street. The first phase of construction, due to be completed by December 2016, will extend Q service north to Second Avenue at 96th Street. At the conclusion of the project's second phase, the Q's new northern terminal will be 125th Street, providing residents of Spanish Harlem and the Upper East Side with direct subway service via Second Avenue
and Broadway
to western Midtown
, Lower Manhattan
, and Brooklyn
.
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...
. It is colored yellow on the route sign, on station signs and the official subway map, as it represents a service provided on the BMT Broadway Line
BMT Broadway Line
The BMT Broadway Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan, New York City, United States. , it is served by three services, all colored yellow: the on the express tracks and the on the local tracks...
through 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...
.
The Q service operates at all times. On weekdays, trains operate from Ditmars Boulevard in Astoria, Queens
Astoria, Queens
Astoria is a neighborhood in the northwestern corner of the borough of Queens in New York City. Located in Community Board 1, Astoria is bounded by the East River and is adjacent to three other Queens neighborhoods: Long Island City, Sunnyside , and Woodside...
to Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn via Astoria
BMT Astoria Line
The Astoria Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway, serving the neighborhood of Astoria, Queens. It runs from Ditmars Boulevard to 39th Avenue along 31st Street. It then serves Queensboro Plaza along 27th Street. It was built as part of the Dual Contracts and...
, Broadway
BMT Broadway Line
The BMT Broadway Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan, New York City, United States. , it is served by three services, all colored yellow: the on the express tracks and the on the local tracks...
, the south side of the Manhattan Bridge
Manhattan Bridge
The Manhattan Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the East River in New York City, connecting Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn . It was the last of the three suspension bridges built across the lower East River, following the Brooklyn and the Williamsburg bridges...
, and Brighton
BMT Brighton Line
The BMT Brighton Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. Local service is provided at all times by the Q train. The Q is joined by the B express train on weekdays...
, running local in 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....
and 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...
and express between 34th Street – Herald Square and Canal Street in 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...
. On late nights and weekends, the Q terminates at 57th Street in Midtown, Manhattan, skipping 49th Street
49th Street (BMT Broadway Line)
49th Street is a local station on the BMT Broadway Line of the New York City Subway. Located at West 49th Street and Seventh Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, it is served by the N train at all times, the R train at all times except late nights and the Q train on weekdays.- Layout :This local station...
.
"Q" designation history
Q was introduced as a service identifier for the Brighton Beach Express via Broadway (Manhattan) on the rollsigns of the R27R27 (New York City Subway car)
The R27 was a New York City Subway car built by the St. Louis Car Company for the New York City Transit Authority in 1960–61. The R27s were a continuation of the R16 style....
class of subway cars as they were delivered beginning in 1960 and on all subsequent equipment ordered for the IND/BMT divisions of the New York City subway system. The former designation for the service was the number 1, itself introduced in 1924, a designation shared by all Brighton Line mainline services. The letter designations did not appear on earlier equipment that carried the former route numbers. Therefore older equipment that carried the number 1 (notably the D-type Triplex
D-type Triplex (New York City Subway car)
The D-Type, commonly known as the Triplex, is a retired New York City Subway car with four units built as a prototype in 1925 and the production units built during 1927 and 1928.-History:...
) continued to be signed 1 until they were withdrawn in 1965.
Also with the introduction of the R27
R27 (New York City Subway car)
The R27 was a New York City Subway car built by the St. Louis Car Company for the New York City Transit Authority in 1960–61. The R27s were a continuation of the R16 style....
class subway cars, the mainline local services on the Brighton Line (and other BMT services) were given double letters in conformance with IND practice. Ordinarily this would have produced a QQ service, but this designation was never used. There were two local services, the Brighton Local via Montague Street Tunnel, designated QT, which operated when the express service was running, and the Brighton Local via Manhattan Bridge, designated QB, which operated when the express did not. The so-called "Banker's Special" express, which operated a few trains in the morning and evening rush hours to the Wall Street
Wall Street
Wall Street refers to the financial district of New York City, named after and centered on the eight-block-long street running from Broadway to South Street on the East River in Lower Manhattan. Over time, the term has become a metonym for the financial markets of the United States as a whole, or...
financial district was not given a separate designation. As this service continued to use older equipment for years after the letters were introduced, this was not usually a problem. When R27 and later cars were used on these specials, they often carried the M designation in the morning that was originally (and eventually) used on Myrtle Avenue trains, and the evening sometimes carried Q or sometimes no designation at all.
With the advent of the Chrystie Street services, the Q designation was suspended as Brighton Line express service was provided by the D
D (New York City Subway service)
The D Sixth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored orange on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it uses the IND Sixth Avenue Line through Manhattan....
service via 6th Avenue in Manhattan. The QT and QB designations were both to be dropped as the Brighton Locals were rerouted to the Nassau Street Loop in lower Manhattan and through routed to Jamaica via the BMT Jamaica Line
BMT Jamaica Line
The Jamaica Line is an elevated rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway, in Brooklyn and Queens, New York City, United States. It runs from the Williamsburg Bridge southeast over Broadway to East New York, Brooklyn, and then east over Fulton Street and Jamaica Avenue to...
. This service was designated QJ. The QB designation was retained as it was decided to run a few special local trains up the BMT Broadway Line
BMT Broadway Line
The BMT Broadway Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan, New York City, United States. , it is served by three services, all colored yellow: the on the express tracks and the on the local tracks...
to answer complaints that the new services provided no access to the Broadway Line.
The service history below includes predecessor services that became the Q service before the identifier was introduced.
1878–1920
- On July 2, 1878 steam railroadSteam railroadSteam railroad is a term used in the United States to distinguish conventional heavy railroads from street railways, interurban streetcar lines, and other light railways usually dedicated primarily to passenger transport....
trains of the Brooklyn, Flatbush and Coney Island Railway began operations from Prospect ParkProspect Park (BMT Brighton Line)Prospect Park is an express station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway. Located at Empire Boulevard and Flatbush Avenue in Flatbush, Brooklyn, near the border of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, it is served by the Q and Franklin Avenue Shuttle trains at all times and the B train on...
to the Brighton Beach Hotel, which opened at the same time, located on Coney IslandConey IslandConey Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
at the Atlantic OceanAtlantic OceanThe Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
at the foot of modern-day Coney Island Avenue at The Boardwalk. Passengers could make connections with the horsecarHorsecarA horsecar or horse-drawn tram is an animal-powered streetcar or tram.These early forms of public transport developed out of industrial haulage routes that had long been in existence, and from the omnibus routes that first ran on public streets in the 1820s, using the newly improved iron or steel...
s of the Brooklyn City RailroadBrooklyn City RailroadThe Brooklyn City Railroad was the oldest and one of the largest operators of streetcars in the City of Brooklyn, New York, continuing in that role when Brooklyn became a borough of New York City in 1898....
at the Prospect Park terminal. - On August 18, 1878 service was extended north from Prospect Park to Atlantic Avenue west of Franklin Avenue, a location known as Bedford Terminal of the BB&CI and Bedford Station of the Long Island Rail RoadLong Island Rail RoadThe 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...
. A physical connection was made there both east and west to the LIRR as Bedford Junction. By mutual agreement trains of the BB&CI operated on the LIRR to its terminal at Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues, provided a much better connection to Downtown Brooklyn and ferries to Manhattan. LIRR trains also operated to Brighton Beach from Flatbush and Atlantic and from its own terminal in Long Island City, with ferry access to Midtown ManhattanMidtown ManhattanMidtown 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...
. Initially, service operated during the summer season only. - At the end of the 1882 summer season, the LIRR abrogated its agreement to allow Brighton trains to access its Flatbush Avenue terminal and beginning with the 1883 summer season, only BF&CI trains operated between Bedford Terminal and Brighton Beach.
- In 1896, a short northerly elevated extension of the Brighton Line (since reorganized as the Brooklyn & Brighton Beach Railroad) to the corner of Franklin Avenue and Fulton Street allowed rapid transitRapid transitA rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
trains of the Fulton Street Line of the Kings County Elevated Railroad to operate from the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn BridgeBrooklyn BridgeThe Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River...
to Brighton Beach, where a walking or cable carCable car (railway)A cable car or cable railway is a mass transit system using rail cars that are hauled by a continuously moving cable running at a constant speed. Individual cars stop and start by releasing and gripping this cable as required...
service connection over the bridge allowed access to New York City HallNew York City HallNew York City Hall is located at the center of City Hall Park in the Civic Center area of Lower Manhattan, New York City, USA, between Broadway, Park Row, and Chambers Street. The building is the oldest City Hall in the United States that still houses its original governmental functions, such as...
at Park Row. Around the turn of the century, elevated trains were through-routed to Park RowPark Row (BMT station)Park Row was a major elevated railway terminal constructed over the New York end of the Brooklyn Bridge, across from New York City Hall in Manhattan that served as the terminal for BMT services operating over the Brooklyn Bridge from the BMT Fulton Street Line, BMT Myrtle Avenue Line and their...
without need to change trains. - In 1903, A surface extension of the Brighton Beach Line on what is now Brighton Beach Avenue permitted through service from Park Row, Manhattan west to Culver DepotCulver DepotCulver Depot or Culver Terminal was a railroad terminal on Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, United States, located on the northern side of Surf Avenue near West 5th Street....
at Surf Avenue near West 8th Street, much nearer to the growing amusement center known then as West Brighton and now simply as Coney Island. - In 1908, a massive grade crossing elimination project was completed with a 4-track line from south of Church Avenue station to Neptune Avenue near the Coney Island CreekConey Island CreekConey Island Creek encompasses two sea inlets in Brooklyn, New York City, one separating Coney Island from the neighborhoods of Gravesend and Bath Beach, the other separating the neighborhoods of Sheepshead Bay and Manhattan Beach...
, permitting true local- and express service, as pioneered on the New York City subway that opened in 1904. - In 1919, Brighton Beach local and express service was extended to new West End terminal at Stillwell and Surf Avenues, the location of the terminal for the BMT Southern Division.
1920–1960
- On August 1, 1920, subway service on the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company's Brighton Beach LineBMT Brighton LineThe BMT Brighton Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. Local service is provided at all times by the Q train. The Q is joined by the B express train on weekdays...
officially began upon opening of Montague Street TunnelMontague Street TunnelThe Montague Street Tunnel carries the trains of the New York City Subway under the East River between the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. It opened to revenue service on Sunday, August 1, 1920 at 2 am with a holiday schedule, the same day as the 60th Street Tunnel. Regular service began...
and a two track line connecting Prospect Park and DeKalb Avenue. Brighton Express service was operated during the daytime every day except Sunday between Brighton Beach and Times Square via the Montague Street Tunnel while local service operated between Coney Island and 57th Street/7th Avenue via the north side of the Manhattan Bridge. During late nights, all trains used the tunnel. - In 1923, the Brighton Locals and Expresses switched Manhattan access methods with the express using the bridge when it ran and the Locals using the tunnel except in the evenings and on Sunday, when it too used the bridge.
- During the 1930s, limited morning rush hour service ran via the south side of the Manhattan Bridge to Chambers Street. On June 29, 1950, trains began running there during the evening rush as well.
- On October 17, 1949, the IRT Astoria LineBMT Astoria LineThe Astoria Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway, serving the neighborhood of Astoria, Queens. It runs from Ditmars Boulevard to 39th Avenue along 31st Street. It then serves Queensboro Plaza along 27th Street. It was built as part of the Dual Contracts and...
was successfully converted to BMT operation. Local trains were extended via this line to Astoria – Ditmars Boulevard. Fourth Avenue Locals ran here at all times, and Brighton Locals in rush hours. - On April 27, 1950, Brighton Locals operated through to Ditmars Boulevard, Astoria all day on weekdays and Saturdays.
- On June 26, 1952, Brighton Express trains were extended to 57th Street/7th Avenue on weekdays after the morning rush hour and all day on Saturdays.
- On December 1, 1955, the 60th Street Tunnel Connection opened. Brighton Local trains were rerouted to this new connector to serve the IND Queens Boulevard LineIND Queens Boulevard LineThe Queens Boulevard Line is a fully underground line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan and Queens, New York City, United States. The line provides crosstown service across Manhattan under 53rd Street and east through Queens to Jamaica...
to Forest Hills – 71st Avenue. They were replaced on the BMT Astoria LineBMT Astoria LineThe Astoria Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway, serving the neighborhood of Astoria, Queens. It runs from Ditmars Boulevard to 39th Avenue along 31st Street. It then serves Queensboro Plaza along 27th Street. It was built as part of the Dual Contracts and...
by Brighton Express trains on weekdays. - On May 4, 1957, Brighton Express trains ran to Astoria on Saturdays as well, but made local stops in Manhattan as the Brighton Local trains now ran to Chambers Street via the BMT Montague Street Line. The express tracks between 42nd Street-Times Square and 57th Street/7th Avenue were placed in service on May 2, 1957, and were used at all times by West End and Sea Beach Expresses. An interesting aspect of this service was that Brighton Expresses ran local in Manhattan on Saturdays while Brighton Locals ran express here during evenings and on Sundays. This lasted only until the next service change.
- On October 24, 1957, Brighton Local trains ran via bridge and local in Manhattan, all day on Sundays as well as evenings and midnight hours. Brighton Expresses on weekdays began using the express tracks between 42nd Street-Times Square and 57th Street/7th Avenue.
- In December, 1957, a strike shuts down much of the BMT Division. Brighton Local trains ran in two sections, from Coney Island via tunnel to 57th Street and from Whitehall Street to Jamaica-179th Street on the IND Queens Boulevard Line. Due to the differing unions predominating on the various divisions, the IND was completely knocked out of service, while the IRT ran virtually normal service. The BMT was about half affected, with makeshift service patterns being set up for the duration of the strike.
- On May 28, 1959, Brighton Express trains midday on weekdays were cut back to 57th Street-7th Avenue and made local stops in Brooklyn midday. Nassau Specials returned, running via the Montague Street tunnel during the morning rush and via the bridge during the evening rush. (This needs to be clarified.) And as part of the same service change. Brighton Local trains (beginning June 6) on Saturdays ran to Franklin Avenue on Saturdays. This was not seasonal and ran the entire day, being quite distinct from the Sunday service which still operated.
1960s to 1990
- On November 15, 1960, with the arrival of the R27sR27 (New York City Subway car)The R27 was a New York City Subway car built by the St. Louis Car Company for the New York City Transit Authority in 1960–61. The R27s were a continuation of the R16 style....
, service on the Brighton Line was as follows: Express was designated as Q, local via tunnel as QT, and local via bridge as QB. However, these designations were not as yet in common usage, and the R-27 signs continued to display the old route names. For the above reasons and for the sake of continuity and consistency, these services will be referred to by the old route names until the time of the opening of the Chrystie Street Connection. Moreover, it is deemed more important and informative to indicate how the trains actually operated rather than how the letters were manipulated. - On January 1, 1961, weekday Brighton Express service terminated at 57th Street/7th Avenue all day. On Saturdays, these trains provided local service between Franklin Avenue and Brighton Beach. This service was merged into the Franklin Avenue Shuttle service on October 14, 1961, and was discontinued altogether in February, 1963. (The Sunday service to Brighton Beach had been discontinued on January 1, 1961.) Brighton Local service ran to Ditmars Boulevard-Astoria at all times. On Saturdays, they provided express service on the Brighton Line, and ran local all other times. This service change was essentially a swap between the north terminals of the Brighton Local and Fourth Avenue Local, and between the Brighton Express and West End Express. Prior to this time, both Brighton services operated via the 60th Street Tunnel to Queens. This change served to keep one Brighton service available in the event of a massive delay in the 60th Street Tunnel.
- On April 2, 1962, Brighton Locals once again ran as locals on the Brighton Line, as at all other times.
- From February 10 to November 2, 1964, the Brighton Express tracks were closed for platform extension. Skip-stop service was instituted along the Brighton Line.
- On November 26, 1967, the Chrystie Street ConnectionChrystie Street ConnectionThe Chrystie Street Connection is a major connecting line of the New York City Subway, and is one of the few connections between lines of the BMT and IND divisions...
opened. Originally, the and QJ were to replace at three Q services. However, due to riders opposition to the expected loss of all Broadway service, two limited rush-hour only services were added. The QB ran in the Q's current service pattern, local in Brooklyn and express in Manhattan, and a "super express" NX service was introduced that operated from Brighton Beach compass west to Coney Island, then north via the BMT Sea Beach LineBMT Sea Beach LineThe BMT Sea Beach Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway, connecting the BMT Fourth Avenue Line subway at 59th Street via a four-track wide open cut to Coney Island in Brooklyn...
express tracks, making no stops at all on that line, then stopping at 59th Street59th Street (BMT Fourth Avenue Line)59th Street is an express station on the BMT Fourth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at 59th Street and Fourth Avenue, in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Sunset Park, it is served by the N and R trains at all times....
station and then N express stops to 57th Street and Seventh Avenue on the BMT Broadway Line. - In 1985, the IND double-letter naming scheme was dropped. The Q resulted and ran between 57th Street/7th Avenue and Stillwell Avenue during rush hours, making express stops in Manhattan and local stops in Brooklyn.
- On April 26, 1986, during reconstruction on the Brighton express tracks, the Q ran skip-stop service with the D. At the same time, the north side of the Manhattan BridgeManhattan BridgeThe Manhattan Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the East River in New York City, connecting Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn . It was the last of the three suspension bridges built across the lower East River, following the Brooklyn and the Williamsburg bridges...
was closed for reconstruction, and both services ran via the south side and terminated at 57th Street – Seventh Avenue.
- On December 11, 1988, the north side reopened and the south side was closed. The Q became the weekday Brighton Express and was rerouted via the north side of the bridge and the IND Sixth Avenue LineIND Sixth Avenue LineThe 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 57th Street57th 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...
, Midtown ManhattanMidtown ManhattanMidtown 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...
(and to 21st Street – Queensbridge, Long Island CityLong Island City, QueensLong Island City is the westernmost neighborhood of the borough of Queens in New York City. L.I.C. is notable for its rapid and ongoing gentrification, its waterfront parks, and its thriving arts community. L.I.C. has among the highest concentration of art galleries, art institutions, and studio...
, beginning in 1989). On weekday evenings and late nights, a shuttle ran between 57th Street and Second Avenue. The evening shuttle was replaced by B service on September 30, 1990 and the late night one by the F later that year. - In May 1995, the north side of the Manhattan BridgeManhattan BridgeThe Manhattan Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the East River in New York City, connecting Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn . It was the last of the three suspension bridges built across the lower East River, following the Brooklyn and the Williamsburg bridges...
was closed during midday and weekends. During this time, the Q ran local in Brooklyn and then via Montague Street to Canal Street on the Broadway Line. From there, it ran express to 21st Street – Queensbridge.
1990s to present
- On February 22, 1998, construction on the IND 63rd Street LineIND 63rd Street LineThe 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...
cut and Q service to 57th Street/6th Avenue. Service on the 63rd Street Line was replaced by a shuttle63rd Street ShuttleThe 63rd Street Shuttle was a name given to three shuttle trains that served the IND 63rd Street Line on the New York City Subway during various times from 1997 to 2001.-63rd Street Shuttle – 1997:...
to the BMT Broadway Line. Normal service resumed on May 22, 1999. - On July 22, 2001, the north side of the Manhattan BridgeManhattan BridgeThe Manhattan Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the East River in New York City, connecting Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn . It was the last of the three suspension bridges built across the lower East River, following the Brooklyn and the Williamsburg bridges...
was closed and the south side had reopened. There were two Q lines. In Brooklyn, the circle Q replaced the D as the Brighton Local to Stillwell Avenue while the diamond Q replaced the Sixth Avenue Q as the Brighton Express to Brighton Beach. Both Qs used the south side of the Manhattan Bridge to travel into Manhattan and then ran to 57th Street/Seventh Avenue via Broadway Express. - After September 11, 2001, R service was suspended. The Q local replaced it between Canal Street and Forest Hills – 71st Avenue at all times except late nights, when it terminated at 57th Street/7th Avenue. The R service was restored on October 28, and the Q service then went back to normal.
- On September 8, 2002, Stillwell Avenue was closed for reconstruction and the Q local terminated at Brighton Beach. It returned to Stillwell on May 23, 2004.
- From April 27 to November 2, 2003, the south side of the Manhattan Bridge was closed on weekends and Q service was rerouted via the Montague Street Tunnel.
- On February 22, 2004, the north side of the Manhattan BridgeManhattan BridgeThe Manhattan Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the East River in New York City, connecting Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn . It was the last of the three suspension bridges built across the lower East River, following the Brooklyn and the Williamsburg bridges...
reopened. The Q diamond was discontinued and replaced by the B in Brooklyn and N on the bridge and in Manhattan. - On June 28, 2010, the Q was extended to Astoria – Ditmars Boulevard via the 60th Street Tunnel60th Street TunnelThe 60th Street Tunnel carries the trains of the New York City Subway under the East River and Roosevelt Island between Manhattan and Queens.The tunnel was built as part of the Dual Contracts period of New York City subway construction...
on weekdays to replace the W, which was discontinued due to budget problems, and began stopping at 49th Street49th Street (BMT Broadway Line)49th Street is a local station on the BMT Broadway Line of the New York City Subway. Located at West 49th Street and Seventh Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, it is served by the N train at all times, the R train at all times except late nights and the Q train on weekdays.- Layout :This local station...
.
Future plans
Current plans for the Second Avenue SubwaySecond Avenue Subway
The Second Avenue Subway is a planned rapid transit subway line, part of the New York City Subway system. Phase I, consisting of two miles of tunnel and three stations, is currently under construction underneath Second Avenue in the borough of Manhattan.A plan for more than 75 years, the Second...
provide for the Q to be extended northward from 57th Street via the BMT 63rd Street Line
BMT 63rd Street Line
The BMT 63rd Street Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway system. This short line connects the express tracks of the BMT Broadway Line from 57th Street – Seventh Avenue to Lexington Avenue – 63rd Street, where it stub-ends...
, which is currently used only during service disruptions. The Q would stop at Lexington Avenue – 63rd Street at the currently-hidden northern side of the platforms to provide a cross-platform transfer to 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...
(currently served by the train). East of Lexington Avenue, it would curve northward to merge with the Second Avenue Line at about 64th Street. The first phase of construction, due to be completed by December 2016, will extend Q service north to Second Avenue at 96th Street. At the conclusion of the project's second phase, the Q's new northern terminal will be 125th Street, providing residents of Spanish Harlem and the Upper East Side with direct subway service via Second Avenue
Second Avenue (Manhattan)
Second Avenue is an avenue on the East Side of the New York City borough of Manhattan extending from Houston Street at its south end to the Harlem River Drive at 128th Street at its north end. A one-way street, vehicular traffic runs only downtown. A bicycle lane in the left hand portion from 55th...
and Broadway
Broadway (New York City)
Broadway is a prominent avenue in New York City, United States, which runs through the full length of the borough of Manhattan and continues northward through the Bronx borough before terminating in Westchester County, New York. It is the oldest north–south main thoroughfare in the city, dating to...
to western Midtown
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...
, 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...
, and 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...
.
Service pattern
The following table shows the lines used by the Q service, with shaded boxes indicating the route at the specified times:| Line | From | To | Tracks | Times | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| week- days |
week- ends |
late nights |
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| BMT Astoria Line BMT Astoria Line The Astoria Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway, serving the neighborhood of Astoria, Queens. It runs from Ditmars Boulevard to 39th Avenue along 31st Street. It then serves Queensboro Plaza along 27th Street. It was built as part of the Dual Contracts and... (full line) |
Astoria – Ditmars Boulevard | Queensboro Plaza | local | |||
| 60th Street Tunnel 60th Street Tunnel The 60th Street Tunnel carries the trains of the New York City Subway under the East River and Roosevelt Island between Manhattan and Queens.The tunnel was built as part of the Dual Contracts period of New York City subway construction... |
all | |||||
| BMT Broadway Line BMT Broadway Line The BMT Broadway Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan, New York City, United States. , it is served by three services, all colored yellow: the on the express tracks and the on the local tracks... |
Lexington Avenue / 59th Street | 57th Street – Seventh Avenue | all | |||
| 57th Street – Seventh Avenue | Times Square – 42nd Street | local | ||||
| express | ||||||
| Times Square – 42nd Street | Canal Street | express | ||||
| Manhattan Bridge Manhattan Bridge The Manhattan Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the East River in New York City, connecting Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn . It was the last of the three suspension bridges built across the lower East River, following the Brooklyn and the Williamsburg bridges... |
south | |||||
| BMT Brighton Line BMT Brighton Line The BMT Brighton Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. Local service is provided at all times by the Q train. The Q is joined by the B express train on weekdays... (full line) |
DeKalb Avenue | Coney Island – Stillwell Avenue | local | |||
Stations
For a more detailed station listing, see the articles on the lines listed above.  |
Stations | Subway transfers | Connections and 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.... |
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| Astoria – Ditmars Boulevard | ||||
| Astoria Boulevard Astoria Boulevard (BMT Astoria Line) Astoria Boulevard or Astoria Boulevard – Hoyt Avenue is an express station on the BMT Astoria Line, it is served by the N train at all times, and by the Q train on weekdays.... |
M60 bus to LaGuardia Airport LaGuardia Airport LaGuardia Airport is an airport located in the northern part of Queens County on Long Island in the City of New York. The airport is located on the waterfront of Flushing Bay and Bowery Bay, and borders the neighborhoods of Astoria, Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst. The airport was originally... |
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| 30th Avenue 30th Avenue (BMT Astoria Line) 30th Avenue is a local station on the BMT Astoria Line of the New York City Subway. It is served by the N train at all times, and by the Q train on weekdays.... |
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| Broadway Broadway (BMT Astoria Line) Broadway is a local station in on the BMT Astoria Line, containing wooden canopies with transite and wooden mezzanines. Only the southbound platform has windscreens. The mezzanine is configured like 30th Avenue. It is served by the N train at all times, and by the Q train on weekdays.- External... |
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| 36th Avenue 36th Avenue (BMT Astoria Line) 36th Avenue is a local station on the BMT Astoria Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 36th Avenue and 31st Street, it is served by the N train at all times and the Q on weekdays.This elevated station, opened on July 19, 1917, has three tracks and two side platforms... |
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| 39th Avenue 39th Avenue (BMT Astoria Line) 39th Avenue is a local station on the BMT Astoria Line of the New York City Subway. Located at 39th Avenue and 31st Street in Long Island City, Queens, it is served by the N train at all times, and by the Q train on weekdays.This elevated station, opened on July 19, 1917, has two side platforms... |
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| Queensboro Plaza | (IRT Flushing Line IRT Flushing Line The Flushing Line is a rapid transit route of the New York City Subway system, operated as part of the IRT Division and designated the 7 route... ) |
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| 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... |
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| Lexington Avenue / 59th Street | (IRT Lexington Avenue Line IRT Lexington Avenue Line The Lexington Avenue Line is one of the lines of the IRT division of the New York City Subway, stretching from Downtown Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan north to 125th Street in East Harlem. The portion in Lower and Midtown Manhattan was part of the first subway line in New York... ) (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... at Lexington Avenue – 63rd Street; MetroCard-only transfer) |
Roosevelt Island Tramway Roosevelt Island Tramway The Roosevelt Island Tramway is an aerial tramway in New York City that spans the East River and connects Roosevelt Island to Manhattan. Prior to the completion of the Mississippi Aerial River Transit in May 1984 and the Portland Aerial Tram in December 2006, it was the only commuter aerial tramway... |
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| Fifth Avenue / 59th Street | ||||
| future extension to BMT 63rd Street Line BMT 63rd Street Line The BMT 63rd Street Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway system. This short line connects the express tracks of the BMT Broadway Line from 57th Street – Seventh Avenue to Lexington Avenue – 63rd Street, where it stub-ends... and Second Avenue Subway Second Avenue Subway The Second Avenue Subway is a planned rapid transit subway line, part of the New York City Subway system. Phase I, consisting of two miles of tunnel and three stations, is currently under construction underneath Second Avenue in the borough of Manhattan.A plan for more than 75 years, the Second... |
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| 57th Street – Seventh Avenue | ||||
| 49th Street 49th Street (BMT Broadway Line) 49th Street is a local station on the BMT Broadway Line of the New York City Subway. Located at West 49th Street and Seventh Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, it is served by the N train at all times, the R train at all times except late nights and the Q train on weekdays.- Layout :This local station... |
Station is ADA-accessible Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a law that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush, and later amended with changes effective January 1, 2009.... in the northbound direction only |
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| Times Square – 42nd Street | (IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line) (IRT Flushing Line IRT Flushing Line The Flushing Line is a rapid transit route of the New York City Subway system, operated as part of the IRT Division and designated the 7 route... ) (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... at 42nd Street – Port Authority Bus Terminal) |
Port Authority Bus Terminal Port Authority Bus Terminal The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the main gateway for interstate buses into Manhattan in New York City... |
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| 34th Street – Herald Square | (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... ) |
M34 / M34A Select Bus Service PATH Port Authority Trans-Hudson PATH, derived from Port Authority Trans-Hudson, is a rapid transit railroad linking Manhattan, New York City with Newark, Harrison, Hoboken and Jersey City in metropolitan northern New Jersey... at 33rd Street 33rd Street (PATH station) The 33rd Street PATH station, opened on November 10, 1910, is located on Sixth Avenue , between 32nd and 33rd Streets in Manhattan, under Greeley Square and just south of Herald Square.... |
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| 14th Street – Union Square | (BMT Canarsie Line BMT Canarsie Line The Canarsie Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT Division of the New York City Subway system, named after its terminus in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn... ) (IRT Lexington Avenue Line IRT Lexington Avenue Line The Lexington Avenue Line is one of the lines of the IRT division of the New York City Subway, stretching from Downtown Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan north to 125th Street in East Harlem. The portion in Lower and Midtown Manhattan was part of the first subway line in New York... ) |
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| Canal Street | (IRT Lexington Avenue Line IRT Lexington Avenue Line The Lexington Avenue Line is one of the lines of the IRT division of the New York City Subway, stretching from Downtown Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan north to 125th Street in East Harlem. The portion in Lower and Midtown Manhattan was part of the first subway line in New York... ) (BMT Nassau Street Line BMT Nassau Street Line The BMT Nassau Street Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway system in Manhattan. It is served by the and trains which are colored brown on maps and signage... ) |
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| 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... |
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| DeKalb Avenue | ||||
| Atlantic Avenue | (BMT Fourth Avenue Line BMT Fourth Avenue Line The Fourth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway, mainly running under Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. Fourth Avenue never had a streetcar line or elevated railway due to the provisions of the assessment charged to neighboring property owners when the street... ) (IRT Eastern Parkway Line IRT Eastern Parkway Line IRT Eastern Parkway Line and New Lots Line can refer to:* IRT Eastern Parkway Line* IRT New Lots Line... ) |
LIRR 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... Atlantic Branch at Atlantic Terminal |
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| Seventh Avenue Seventh Avenue (BMT Brighton Line) Seventh Avenue is a station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway, located at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and Flatbush Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It is served by the Q train at all times and the B train on weekdays... |
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| Prospect Park Prospect Park (BMT Brighton Line) Prospect Park is an express station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway. Located at Empire Boulevard and Flatbush Avenue in Flatbush, Brooklyn, near the border of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, it is served by the Q and Franklin Avenue Shuttle trains at all times and the B train on... |
(BMT Franklin Avenue Line BMT Franklin Avenue Line The BMT Franklin Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the New York City Subway in Brooklyn, New York... ) |
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| Parkside Avenue Parkside Avenue (BMT Brighton Line) Parkside Avenue is a local station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway. Located at Parkside Avenue and Ocean Avenue in Flatbush, Brooklyn, it is served by the Q train at all times.... |
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| Church Avenue Church Avenue (BMT Brighton Line) Church Avenue is an express station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway, located at Church Avenue near East 18th Street in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn.The station has four tracks and two island platforms... |
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| Beverley Road Beverley Road (BMT Brighton Line) Beverley Road is a local station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway. It is located over a private right-of-way at Beverley Road between Marlborough Road and East 16th Street in the neighborhood of Flatbush, Brooklyn... |
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| Cortelyou Road Cortelyou Road (BMT Brighton Line) Cortelyou Road is a local station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway, located at Cortelyou Road between Marlborough Road and East 16th Street in the neighborhood of Flatbush, Brooklyn. It is served by the Q train at all times. The Cortelyous were an old New Netherlands family... |
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| Newkirk Plaza | ||||
| Avenue H Avenue H (BMT Brighton Line) Avenue H is a local station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway. Located at Avenue H between East 15th and East 16th Streets on the border of Midwood and Flatbush, Brooklyn, it is served by the Q train at all times. The campuses of Brooklyn College and Midwood High School are... |
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| Avenue J Avenue J (BMT Brighton Line) Avenue J is a local station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway, located on Avenue J between East 15th and East 16th Streets in Midwood, Brooklyn. It is served by the Q train at all times.... |
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| Avenue M Avenue M (BMT Brighton Line) Avenue M , is a local station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway. It is located in Midwood, Brooklyn, at Avenue M between East 15th and East 16th Streets. It is served by the Q train at all times.... |
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| Kings Highway Kings Highway (BMT Brighton Line) Kings Highway is an express station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway. Served by the Q train at all times and by the B on weekdays, it is located at Kings Highway between East 15th and East 16th Streets on the border of Midwood and Sheepshead Bay neighborhoods of Brooklyn.This... |
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| Avenue U Avenue U (BMT Brighton Line) Avenue U is a local station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway, located at Avenue U between East 15th and East 16th Streets in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. It is served by the Q train at all times.... |
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| Neck Road Neck Road (BMT Brighton Line) Neck Road is a local station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway. Served by the Q train at all times, it is located at Gravesend Neck Road between East 15th and East 16th Streets in Homecrest, Brooklyn.... |
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| Sheepshead Bay Sheepshead Bay (BMT Brighton Line) Sheepshead Bay is an express station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway. It is located in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn. It is served by the Q train at all times and by the B train on weekdays.... |
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| Brighton Beach Brighton Beach (BMT Brighton Line) Brighton Beach is an express/terminal station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway. It is located over Brighton Beach Avenue at Brighton Sixth Street in the community of Brighton Beach on Coney Island in Brooklyn.- Description:... |
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| Ocean Parkway Ocean Parkway (BMT Brighton Line) Ocean Parkway is an express station on the New York City Subway's BMT Brighton Line. Located at Brighton Beach Avenue and Ocean Parkway in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, it is served by the Q train at all times.-Layout:... |
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| West Eighth Street – New York Aquarium | (IND Culver Line IND Culver Line The IND Culver Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway, extending from Downtown Brooklyn south to Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, United States... ) |
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| Coney Island – Stillwell Avenue | (IND Culver Line IND Culver Line The IND Culver Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway, extending from Downtown Brooklyn south to Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, United States... ) (BMT West End Line BMT West End Line The BMT West End Line is a line of the New York City Subway, serving the Brooklyn, communities of Borough Park, New Utrecht, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Coney Island. The D train operates on the line at all times, providing service to Manhattan and the Bronx via the IND Sixth Avenue Line... ) (BMT Sea Beach Line BMT Sea Beach Line The BMT Sea Beach Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway, connecting the BMT Fourth Avenue Line subway at 59th Street via a four-track wide open cut to Coney Island in Brooklyn... ) |
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External links
- MTA NYC Transit – Q Broadway Express – Effective October 3, 2011
- SAS alignment