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6 (New York City Subway service)

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For the former Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation service, see 6 (BMT rapid transit service).

"6" train symbol"6" train symbol
Lexington Avenue Local
Pelham Bay Park Express
Pelham Bay Park-bound 6 local train of R62As at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall
Pelham Bay Park-bound 6 express train of R62As passing through Elder Avenue
Map of the "6" train
Northern endPelham Bay Park (all times)
Parkchester (weekdays, peak direction)
Southern endBrooklyn Bridge–City Hall
Stations38 (local service)
29 (express service)
Rolling stockR62A[1][2]
(Rolling stock assignments subject to change)
DepotWestchester Yard
Started serviceOctober 27, 1904; 119 years ago (1904-10-27)
Route map

Legend
 Down arrow  6   <6> 
Pelham Bay Park
Buhre Avenue
Middletown Road
Westchester Square–East Tremont Avenue
Zerega Avenue
Castle Hill Avenue
Down arrow  6  (rush hours)
Parkchester
St. Lawrence Avenue
Morrison Avenue–Soundview
Elder Avenue
Whitlock Avenue
Hunts Point Avenue
Longwood Avenue
East 149th Street
East 143rd Street–St. Mary's Street
Cypress Avenue
Brook Avenue
Third Avenue–138th Street
"4" train​"5" train the Bronx via Jerome Avenue
The Bronx
Manhattan
 125th Street
116th Street
110th Street
103rd Street
96th Street
86th Street Disabled access
northbound local
only
 77th Street
68th Street–Hunter College
59th Street
51st Street
Grand Central–42nd Street
33rd Street
28th Street Disabled access
southbound
only
 23rd Street
18th Street
 14th Street–Union Square
Astor Place
Bleecker Street
Spring Street
Canal Street
Worth Street
Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall
Up arrow  6   <6> 
City Hall
"4" train​"5" train Downtown & Brooklyn via Eastern Parkway
Legend
 Lines used by the "6" train
Other services sharing tracks with the "6" train
Unused lines, connections, or service patterns
 6 
 Termini of services
Cross-platform interchange
Platforms on different levels
This diagram:

The 6 Lexington Avenue Local and <6> Pelham Bay Park Express[3] are two rapid transit services in the A Division of the New York City Subway. Their route emblems, or "bullets", are colored forest green since they use the IRT Lexington Avenue Line in Manhattan.[4] Local service is denoted by a (6) in a circular bullet, and express service is denoted by a <6> in a diamond-shaped bullet. On the R62A rolling stock, this is often indicated by LEDs around the service logo to indicate local or express service to riders. The LEDs illuminate in a green circle pattern for 6 local trains and in a red diamond pattern for <6> trains.

6 trains operate local at all times between Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx and Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall in Lower Manhattan. During weekdays in the peak direction, <6> Pelham Express trains replace 6 local trains north of Parkchester, and run express between that station and Third Avenue–138th Street. During this time, 6 Pelham Local trains short turn at Parkchester (except for peak-direction <6> Express trains that return in the opposite direction as 6 Local trains). Weekdays from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., select Manhattan-bound <6> trains run local from Parkchester to Hunts Point Avenue while select Parkchester-bound 6 trains run express in that section.

The 6 in its current format has run since the implementation of the IRT "H" system in 1918. Since 1920, it has remained largely unchanged, running between Pelham Bay Park and City Hall with a peak-express variant in the Bronx. In 1945, the city closed the City Hall Loop station, the 6's former southern terminal in Manhattan. Since then, most 6 trains have terminated at Brooklyn Bridge, with a few exceptions in later years. In 2023, the 6 was the busiest route in the subway system, carrying around 140 million passengers.[5]

History

Under the Interborough Rapid Transit

On October 27, 1904, local and express service opened on the original subway in Manhattan, following the route of the present IRT Lexington Avenue Line from City Hall to Grand Central–42nd Street. From there, the service traveled west on 42nd Street on the route of the present 42nd Street Shuttle, and then north on the present IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line to 145th Street.[6]

The current "H" configuration, with separate services along Lexington Avenue and Broadway/Seventh Avenue, was introduced in 1917.[7] Full Lexington Avenue local service from City Hall to 125th Street opened on July 17, 1918. Local service was extended to Third Avenue–138th Street on August 1, 1918.[8]

On January 7, 1919, trains were extended from 138th Street to Hunts Point Avenue,[9] and to East 177th Street on May 30, 1920.[10][11] Service between Hunts Point Avenue and East 177th Street was originally served by a shuttle service operating with elevated cars.[12]

On October 24, 1920, service was extended again to Westchester Square.[13] On December 20, 1920, service was extended to Pelham Bay Park.[14] Service to Pelham Bay Park was served by a mix of through and shuttle trains during the 1920s.[15]

On December 21, 1925, the number of Manhattan-bound through trains in the morning rush hour, between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., was increased from thirteen to eighteen; a 38 percent increase in service. The remainder of trains continued operating as a shuttle service to Hunts Point Avenue.[16]

On January 28, 1931, two southbound morning rush hour trips began starting at Pelham Bay Park instead of Hunts Point Avenue. On April 13, 1931, service to Pelham Bay Park was increased. Two additional southbound trips were added, starting at Pelham Bay Park at 5:50 and 6:10 a.m., reducing headways from ten to five minutes. Four northbound trips that terminated at Hunts Point Avenue between 3:53 and 5:05 p.m. were extended to Pelham Bay Park, reducing headways from nine to six minutes, and four northbound trips terminating at Third Avenue-138th Street between 3:36 and 4:48 p.m. were extended to Hunts Point Avenue, reducing headways from 4+1⁄2 to 3 minutes.[17]

By 1934, service south of the City Hall station had been discontinued and late-night service ran from Pelham Bay Park to 125th Street only, being replaced by local service on the 4, which had previously run express.[citation needed]

Under the New York City Board of Transportation

Effective December 31, 1945, City Hall station closed with the former Brooklyn Bridge station (renamed to Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall) being the permanent southern terminal. However, the 6 train still uses the loop to get from the southbound to the northbound local track at Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall.[18][better source needed]

On May 10, 1946, late-night service was extended from 125th Street to its previous terminus at Brooklyn Bridge when late-night express service on the 4 was restored.[19][20]

Beginning October 14, 1946, weekday rush and Saturday morning rush peak direction express service started, with Pelham Bay trains using the middle track between East 177th Street and Third Avenue–138th Street.[21] This express service saved eight minutes between Third Avenue and East 177th Street. During this time, 6 trains that ran local in the Bronx when express trains operated began to terminate at East 177 Street to make room for express trains to Pelham Bay Park. On March 7, 1949, the hours of the evening Bronx-bound express service were advanced from 4:30 to 3:30 p.m., and on June 17, 1949, the hours of the morning Manhattan-bound express service were extended from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.[20]

On September 22, 1948, 54 additional cars were placed in service on the 6 train, increasing the lengths of trains from six cars to seven cars.[20]

The New York City Board of Transportation, predecessor to the New York City Transit Authority, began to introduce replacements to older subway cars beginning with the R12 cars in 1948. With these cars, numbers were publicly designated to the former IRT lines. Lexington–Pelham trains were assigned the number 6. By 1964, all cars had the route numbers on them.[22]

From December 15 to 22, 1950, the weekday rush hour trains from Pelham Bay Park were extended to South Ferry.[19]

Under the New York City Transit Authority

On June 23, 1956, Saturday morning express service began operating local.[19] On March 1, 1960, late-night express service on the 4 was suspended when the 4 and 6 ran local in Manhattan together.[citation needed] On April 8, 1960, late-night and weekend evening trains were extended to South Ferry. On October 17, 1965, late-night 4 service began running express once again, and weekend evening 6 service was extended to South Ferry.[19] Trains were cut back from South Ferry to Brooklyn Bridge on May 23, 1976.[citation needed]

Beginning on January 13, 1980, late-night service terminated at 125th Street in Manhattan with the 4 again making all stops south of there. This service cut affected 15,000 riders and was criticized by Manhattan Borough President Andrew Stein as no public hearing was held.[23] On the same day, Bronx express service was expanded to operate during middays, with Pelham Bay trains running express in the peak direction to Brooklyn Bridge in the morning and to Pelham Bay Park in the afternoon.[19][24]

For a few months in 1985, one scheduled daily 6 train traveled to Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn before turning for Pelham Bay Park.[19][better source needed]

From January 21 to October 5, 1990, late-night service was extended back to Brooklyn Bridge when late-night express service on the 4 was restored. But the 6 was then cut back to 125th Street for the last time when late-night express service on the 4 in Manhattan was permanently discontinued.[19][25]

Effective October 3, 1999, the 4 and 6 trains once again began to operate local together in Manhattan late nights when the 6 train was permanently extended back to Brooklyn Bridge.[26]

In August 2023, weekend headways on the 6 were reduced from eight to six minutes.[27][28]

Route

Service pattern

The following table shows the lines used by 6 and <6>, with shaded boxes indicating the route at the specified times:[29]

Line From To Tracks Times
weekday peak direction all other times
6 service 6 diamond service 6 service
IRT Pelham Line (full line) Pelham Bay Park Castle Hill Avenue local      
Parkchester Third Avenue–138th Street express  
local      
IRT Lexington Avenue Line 125th Street Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall  

Stations

For a more detailed station listing, see the articles on the lines listed above.[3]

Station service legend
Stops all times Stops all times
Stops all times except late nights Stops all times except late nights
Stops late nights only Stops late nights only
Stops weekdays during the day Stops weekdays during the day
Stops all times except weekdays in the peak direction Stops all times except weekdays in the peak direction
Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Stops weekdays in the peak direction only
Station closed Station closed
Time period details
Disabled access Station is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act
Disabled access ↑ Station is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act
in the indicated direction only
Disabled access ↓
Elevator access to mezzanine only
6 service 6 diamond service Stations Disabled access Subway transfers Connections/other notes
The Bronx
Pelham Line
Stops all times except weekdays in the peak direction Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Pelham Bay Park Disabled access Bx12 Select Bus Service
Stops all times except weekdays in the peak direction Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Buhre Avenue
Stops all times except weekdays in the peak direction Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Middletown Road
Stops all times except weekdays in the peak direction Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Westchester Square–East Tremont Avenue
Stops all times except weekdays in the peak direction Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Zerega Avenue
Stops all times except weekdays in the peak direction Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Castle Hill Avenue
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Parkchester Q44 Select Bus Service
On weekdays, all local peak direction and alternating trains in the off peak direction during rush hour and midday begin and end at this station.
Stops all times | St. Lawrence Avenue
Stops all times | Morrison Avenue–Soundview
Stops all times | Elder Avenue
Stops all times | Whitlock Avenue
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Hunts Point Avenue Disabled access Bx6 Select Bus Service
Stops all times | Longwood Avenue
Stops all times | East 149th Street Disabled access
Stops all times | East 143rd Street–St. Mary's Street
Stops all times | Cypress Avenue
Stops all times | Brook Avenue
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Third Avenue–138th Street Some a.m. rush hour trips to Manhattan begin or end at this station
Manhattan
Lexington Avenue Line
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 125th Street Disabled access 4 all times ​5 all times except late nights ​ Metro-North Railroad at Harlem–125th Street
M60 Select Bus Service to LaGuardia Airport
One southbound p.m. rush hour trip begins at this station
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 116th Street 4 late nights
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 110th Street 4 late nights
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 103rd Street 4 late nights
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 96th Street 4 late nights
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 86th Street Disabled access ↑ 4 all times ​5 all times except late nights ​ M86 Select Bus Service
Station is ADA-accessible in the northbound direction for the local platform only.
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 77th Street 4 late nights M79 Select Bus Service
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 68th Street–Hunter College 4 late nights
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 59th Street Elevator access to northbound platform only ↑ 4 all times ​5 all times except late nights ​
N all times ​R all times except late nights ​W weekdays only (BMT Broadway Line at Lexington Avenue–59th Street)
Out-of-system transfer with MetroCard/OMNY:
F all times <F> two rush hour trains, peak direction​ N limited weekday rush hour service only ​Q all times ​R one a.m. rush hour trip in the northbound direction only (63rd Street Lines at Lexington Avenue–63rd Street) 		Roosevelt Island Tramway
Elevator access via Bloomingdale's in the northbound direction only during Bloomingdale's operating hours; no ADA access
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 51st Street Disabled access 4 late nights
E all times ​M weekdays during the day (IND Queens Boulevard Line at Lexington Avenue–53rd Street)
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Grand Central–42nd Street Disabled access 4 all times ​5 all times except late nights ​
7 all times <7> rush hours until 9:30 p.m., peak direction​ (IRT Flushing Line)
S all except late nights (42nd Street Shuttle) 		Metro-North Railroad at Grand Central Terminal
Long Island Rail Road at Grand Central Madison
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 33rd Street 4 late nights M34 / M34A Select Bus Service
Ferry transport NYC Ferry: East River, Astoria, and Soundview Routes
(on FDR Drive and East 34th Street)
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 28th Street Disabled access ↓ 4 late nights Station is ADA-accessible in the southbound direction only.
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 23rd Street Disabled access 4 late nights M23 Select Bus Service
Ferry transport NYC Ferry: Soundview Route
(on FDR Drive/Avenue C and East 20th Street)
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only 14th Street–Union Square Elevator access to mezzanine only 4 all times ​5 all times except late nights ​
L all times (BMT Canarsie Line)
N all times ​Q all times ​R all except late nights ​W weekdays only (BMT Broadway Line) 		M14A / M14D Select Bus Service
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Astor Place Elevator access to southbound platform only ↓ 4 late nights .
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Bleecker Street Disabled access 4 late nights
B weekdays during the day ​D all times ​F all times <F> two rush hour trains, peak direction ​M weekdays during the day (IND Sixth Avenue Line at Broadway–Lafayette Street)
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Spring Street 4 late nights
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Canal Street Disabled access 4 late nights
N all times ​Q all times ​R all except late nights ​W weekdays only (BMT Broadway Line)
J all times ​Z rush hours, peak direction (BMT Nassau Street Line)
Stops all times Stops weekdays in the peak direction only Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall Disabled access 4 all times ​5 all times except late nights ​
J all times ​Z rush hours, peak direction (BMT Nassau Street Line at Chambers Street)

References

  1. ^ 'Subdivision 'A' Car Assignment Effective December 23, 2023'. New York City Transit, Operations Planning. December 23, 2023.
  2. ^ "Subdivision 'A' Car Assignments: Cars Required December 23, 2023" (PDF). The Bulletin. 67 (2). Electric Railroaders' Association. February 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "6 Subway Timetable, Effective December 17, 2023". Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  4. ^ "Mta.info – Line Colors". web.mta.info. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  5. ^ "MTA 2023 Transit Report: Busiest Borough, Subway Stop, Bathrooms Revealed". www.fox5ny.com. December 28, 2023. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  6. ^ "ASCE Metropolitan Section – First New York City Subway". www.ascemetsection.org. Archived from the original on September 6, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  7. ^ "New Subways For New York: The Dual System of Rapid Transit – Interborough Routes and Stations". NYCSubway.org. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
  8. ^ "First "H" Train to Start From Grand Central To-Night: Governor, Mayor and Others Expected To Be Guests on Maiden Trip". New-York Tribune. August 1, 1918. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  9. ^ "New Bronx Subway Extension Is Opened: Interborough Now Operating Cars to Hunt's Point Station Above 138th Street". New-York Tribune. January 9, 1919. Archived from the original on January 21, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  10. ^ "Bronx Subway Extension Opened" (PDF). The New York Times. May 28, 1920. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  11. ^ Annual Report for the Year Ending June 30, 1920. Interborough Rapid Transit Company. 1920. pp. 5, 13. Archived from the original on January 21, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  12. ^ Cunningham, Joseph; DeHart, Leonard O. (1993). A History of the New York City Subway System. J. Schmidt, R. Giglio, and K. Lang. p. 48. Archived from the original on December 31, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  13. ^ "Subway Extension Opens Sunday". The New York Times. October 22, 1920. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  14. ^ "Will Open Subway to Pelham Bay Park: Service Begins To-Morrow On Four Mile Extension". New York Herald. December 19, 1920. Archived from the original on December 31, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  15. ^ State of New York Transit Commission First Annual Report (April 25, 1921 – December 31, 1921). New York State Transit Commission. 1922. pp. 73–74. Archived from the original on December 31, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  16. ^ "I.R.T. To Add Trains. Increases Service to Queens and the Bronx". The New York Sun. December 18, 1925. Retrieved April 11, 2019 – via Fulton History.
  17. ^ Eleventh Annual Report For The Calendar Year 1931. New York State Transit Commission. 1922. p. 78.
  18. ^ Green, Jonah (November 10, 2010). "The Abandoned City Hall Subway Stop Now Visible To Tourists (PHOTOS)". Archived from the original on March 14, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2018 – via Huff Post.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g Bolden, Eric. "NYCT Line by Line History". www.erictb.info. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  20. ^ a b c Report for the Three and One-Half Years Ending June 30, 1949. New York City Board of Transportation. 1949. hdl:2027/mdp.39015023094926.
  21. ^ "Pelham Bay Subway Service Is Increased". The Daily Times. Mamaroneck, NY. October 15, 1946. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  22. ^ "Line Names". thejoekorner.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  23. ^ "Suit Seeks to Bar Cutbacks on Lexington Ave. Subways". New York Daily News. January 11, 1980. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  24. ^ "January 1980 IRT Service Changes". New York Division Bulletin. Electric Railroaders' Association. December 1979.
  25. ^ "Service Change". New York Division Bulletin. Electric Railroaders' Association. February 1990.
  26. ^ * May 1999 NYC Transit Committee Agenda. New York City Transit Authority. May 13, 1999. p. 144. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  27. ^ Brachfeld, Ben (August 9, 2023). "MTA Expanding Subway Service on 1 and 6 Lines, Shortening Weekend Wait Times". amNewYork. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  28. ^ Simko-Bednarski, Evan (August 9, 2023). "MTA Adding Service on Two Subway Lines with NY State Cash Boost". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  29. ^ "Subway Service Guide" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. September 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
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