For all of you that travel to NY often and rely on the subways, note that there are major changes going into effect on July 22, 2001 which will remain in place until 2004. For example, trains between Brooklyn and Manhattan will be renamed. The "B" is now the "W" the "D" is now the "Q" local. There are also many changes within Manhattan itself. Log onto www.mta.nyc.ny.us for more info.

There's also a brochure available at subway stations. Looks like a disaster about to occur.

Straphangers does a good job of summarizing all of the changes brought on by the Manhattan Bridge switch (and some of the changes MTA is slipping in at the same time).

http://www.straphangers.org/vw.html

What the hell is that for?

Remenber the K train?? It disappeared the last time something like this happened and never came back.

The Broadway line (which really only follows Broadway as far north as 42nd Street, and which was formerly known as the "Broadway BMT Line") has been undergoing several years of rehabilitation in advance of these changes. This line is currently served only by the N and R trains on the local tracks, and it has literally been years (maybe 15) since the express tracks have been used for anything except service diversions. There is actually considerable precedent for a Q train running on this line, since the QB and QJ trains used to run on the express tracks prior to the Manhattan Bridge problems. In the 39 years I have been riding the subway regularly, there have been at least 4 previous major revisions at least as significant as this one, so I think the city will survive. And while I can certainly understand the frustration of G-train riders in Brooklyn (that's one change I think they should reverse), some lines, such as the 6th Avenue line in Manhattan, will actually have more service when the changes are complete.

It's also important to realize that the D and B trains will continue to run as they do currently from the Bronx to 34th Street, so commuters between the Bronx and midtown Manhattan will not see any changes at all.

I just wish the E and the F would finally remain operating full time and not shut down for evenings and weekends. What possibly could take that long to construct? Ahhh, but perhaps I ask too much.

Analise, the evening/weekend diversions are probably trial runs (I haven't seen any construction for a while). You want to find problems before the new tunnel goes into rush-hour service.

JS, I'm sure you're absolutely right. Trial runs never even crossed my mind. Unfortunately, they have been doing trial runs now for over 6 months. I wonder what testing process they must undergo in order to open new subway lines. It does seem to be taking quite a bit of time. It also would be helpful for the MTA to tell commuters what they are doing. We see all of those signs posted about closures but they do not give the commuter reasons for these closures. Or am I missing something?

Analise -

Dont know if this specifically answers your question but here goes.

The new 63rd St. Tunnel, which will carry th e new "W" line into Queens to connect with e the E & F on Queens Blvd, should ease congestion on the 53rd St tunnel & the E & F trains, so the rerouting of the E&F at nite and on weekends is to test & prepare for the new routes. Not sure why this is taking so long - but the construction of the new connections seems to be finished.

Ive actually rode on one of the brand spanking-new cars and was pleased. Every stop is announced audibly from a tape (except for service changes - which the conductor said - but werent that bad) and the cars had plenty of bars to hold onto.

As much as everyone complains about this city s system , its a cheap and relatively easy way of getting around Manhattan daytime and home at nite. Id rather be sitting in a train on my way to work than driving on a highway during rush hour.

Wow! I'm amazed, I hadn't heard anything about these changes. I imagine the changes to the F, using the 63rd Street connection, will make an enormous difference to rush hour at 51st and Lex. But I have one question. With the F now stopping at 63rd and Lex, what has happened to downtown connections to the 6? (though I suppose one can walk down 4 blocks to 59th to catch the 4, 5 or 6.)

I presume ridership on the E will go higher as those making the 6 connection now will have to take an E train. That should prove interesting.

TFJIM -

Youre right - no connection at 63rd St. I think theyre hoping people will just continue on the W or F and get off at 6th and whatever St. they need instead of transferring. If they ever (dont hold your breath) build a new 2nd Ave subway thats where the connection would be made. And right now the E&F still go the 51st way during rush hour.

I avoid both E&F coming in by taking the R - 5 minutes longer - but I always get a seat.
Im presuming you used to live here, though now from St. Louis - I was just there a few weeks ago - Why is the water in the fountain downtown near City Hall blue?

That is my concern---more people on the E. I like the way the E is now. Typically I get a seat. But from what I've read, the V train will replace the F on 53rd Street so the Lexington Ave station will have the E, V, and 6.

Are the train cars like the new 6 cars which one can get occassionally? Those are bright, clean, and efficient.

I just hope the testing is over soon. The lasted signage I've read informs us that the evening and weekend closures will end by mid July. I hope they mean it.


[This message has been edited by Analise (edited 06-28-2001).]