Swap Creates Smoother Rides and Reduces Delays on by Simplifying Routing through Queens Plaza
1.2 Million Riders Will Benefit From More Reliable Trips on Lines
Swap Will Take Effect on December 8
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that New York City Transit will swap and train service between Manhattan and Queens, eliminating a merge at Queens Plaza that has caused delays to Queens Boulevard riders. This swap will improve service on the lines by providing consistent running times and better on-time performance for the 1.2 million riders who use these lines every day.
The FM route swap was presented to the MTA board and will go into effect on Dec. 8. Customers can learn more about the service change by at mta.info/fmswap
The new service pattern between the Queens Boulevard corridor and Manhattan will be in effect weekdays from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. During these times, the will run via the 53 St line and Queens Plaza, alongside the .
During this time trains will now make stops at the following stations:
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Queens Plaza
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Court Sq
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Lexington–53 St
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5 Av–53 St
The will run via the 63 St line and Roosevelt Island on weekdays from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and will now make stops at the following stations:
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21 St Queensbridge
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Roosevelt Island
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Lexington–63 St
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57 St
There will be no change from current service late evenings, nights, and weekends.
“NYC Transit is implementing smart changes that will enhance reliability and operational resilience which ultimately results in better service that customers can count on,” said NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. “Running the via the 53 St line and the via the 63 St line between Manhattan and Queens will make for faster, less crowded, and more direct trips between the 63 St line and Queens Boulevard local stations.”
“We’ve received a lot of customer feedback regarding delays on the line,” said NYC Transit Senior Vice President of Subways Bill Amarosa. “Swapping the and lines will increase reliability, reduce delays, and create a more comfortable ride for everyone.”
The service change is expected to improve reliability of service for all Queens Boulevard line trains () by eliminating the shared track segment between the and . When the swap goes into effect:
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trains will share a track with two lines (down from three)
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trains will share tracks with three lines (down from four)
By eliminating the merges at Queens Plaza, any delays to local or local trains would now be isolated from express service and vice-versa. Under the current service plan, approximately 15-20% of rush hour trains are delayed at Queens Plaza.
This service change is part of the MTA’s commitment to the many communities it serves. It will increase reliability by improving service and reducing delays on the lines for all customers in Queens and Roosevelt Island, the majority of whom will see a travel time savings. Trains serving Roosevelt Island and 21 St–Queensbridge will be less crowded. train riders will see additional peak hour service.
These service changes follow the Re-NEW-vation program at Roosevelt Island’s F station completed in October 2024 that saw the station get a deep cleaning, more than 10,000 sq. feet of surfaces repainted including the exterior façade, all light fixtures converted to more efficient LED lights, and many other improvements.
The MTA will use multiple platforms for advance notification to riders of the changes through:
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Maps
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“Look ahead” posters
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Handouts / Brochures
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Website and digital feeds
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Announcements
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Onboard train signage and electronic strips maps
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Digital screens
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Station signage
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Customer Ambassadors
The swap will also enable the MTA to make much-needed improvements at the 21 St-Queensbridge F station including:
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Installing additional light fixtures and new signage both outside and inside the station
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Painting
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Placing ADA tactile strips on the platform
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Resurfacing and polishing glass surfaces
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Repairing broken floor tiles
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Renewing old and installing new drainage
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Fabricating and installing new canopies over two staircases to protect riders from bad weather