Is this NYC’s Ugliest Subway Station?

[@nicop5353]

This is embarrassing as an American. This is our largest city in the wealthiest nation on earth

[@ryanlakatalovestheworld4692]

love this!

[@poopyfartboi]

Every city here in America has its sh*t. It really isn’t the best country in the world

[@JohnSmith-lp8wt]

Please remember, we became one of the wealthiest country, by ignoring things like this.

[@patriotsx36]

@@JohnSmith-lp8wtand what good is our wealth if our citizens cannot enjoy it?

[@Ayixlia]

The subway on 14th street and 8th Avenue are the cleanest I've ever seen. Thank to the MTA wash crew they work hard.

[@raminfellas]

I love how they can spend billions of dollars on a new station but not fix current ones

[@ComboGaminFan]

They brought new articulated trains instead recently

[@maxwalsh234]

welcome to American infrastructure bozo

[@argustaveras6391]

@@ComboGaminFan Which was dumb. They gave us new A trains. Not everyone rides the A. However, I do ride the A train Mon-Fri and since they rolled out the new trains a few months ago, I’ve been able to get on it maybe twice. So it’s not even like they did anything. Yeah they made new A trains and made a huge deal about it, but actually coming across one in the subway is a super rare event.

[@28isagreatnumber]

My guess is that it’s easier or more satisfying politically? Like grandiose, NEW stations are essentially built from scratch. Renovating an existing location isn’t as exciting, even though it’s more necessary.

[@Shinycelebi]

​@Argus Taveras It's rare because the train sets currently out are trial runs to make sure the rest of the new fleet will be ok. Secondly, they NEED the new cars because it's replacing the remaining aging fleet. They aren't replacing the cars just because they want to.

[@nysavvy9241]

The city bureaucracy is awful. Hard to believe the station is in that filthy deplorable condition.

[@classicalAnime]

They will just blame it on a lack of funding.

[@saunderinapearl6849]

L

[@Undecided0]

The city isn't in charge of it. The state runs the MTA.

[@BVonBuescher]

Democrats. It’s ok. You can say it

[@whatawa1855]

@@BVonBuescher it's not democrats. Blaming the problems of the MTA and the horrible bureaucracy of the state and the city on democrats is ignorant and naive at best. It never has been, and never will be a problem with either party. This is a problem with people who don't think that the subway is worth working on, and a problem with greedy politicians who only care about lining their pockets, who i should not have to remind you, exist on both sides.

[@ricolives1166]

As a New Yorker, just start exploring the subway. It's another dimension

[@jodrew1845]

There is so much beauty and history in NYC, whatever can be restored should be. You can't know where you're going, if you don't know where you've been.

[@jeanineferris488]

NYC is beautiful, I grew up there and am addicted to the architecture and parks and apartments of every sort. I love the people from everywhere. Anything that is done to improve and maintain the city and it's story is beauty and history of the melting pot.

[@MarkBH70]

Good point.

[@melissacross1535]

Yes!...It would be lovely if they restored it back to its beauty...

[@davidhorton3020]

For who...no one uses it

[@8834]

@@davidhorton3020 And that means they shouldn’t clean it up? That’s like saying you shouldn’t clean up your room because nobody else goes inside of it.

[@apexjoe4769]

@@davidhorton3020 Except the rats.😂

[@madjanetramerez2383]

@@davidhorton3020what do you mean

[@bruceforbes248]

That's my train station it's known as the "Chamber of Horror"

[@Solitude633]

The Torture Chamber

[@alfrredd]

Absolutely awful, the subway needs more funding.

[@steves7958]

The J/Z still stop at Chambers Street and run over the Williamsburg Bridge today! It used to connect to the Manhattan Bridge until the 1960's.

[@monchiquita25]

That station is getting better with recent Renos. J/Z line in Bowery is far scarier in look and people traffic.

[@saunderinapearl6849]

P

[@RegWho]

True, but it does have a functioning escalator.

[@assonance9057]

West 4th though 😭 through the entrance by the cage god that place is terrifying

[@hajde8128]

I remember when I had to get a train from the Bowery stop for the first time. I was 19 and it was almost midnight. The anxiety had me shaking. The station isn't so bad during the day but at night you feel so vulnerable.

[@rickyparrilla2426]

I completely agree with you on that one.

[@MohammedNafisayman]

That rat at the end lol

[@Diprotic]

Bro is just living his best life

[@spiderplant]

He's the giant rat that makes all of the rules

[@Danny.0788]

If I had friends from Japan, China or even Europe come to the US, I would beg them not to take the subway. It is an embarrassment of how underserviced our public transportation systems are. MTA is doing nothing about it.

[@johnhodgeman3980]

You and me both. I have friends in hong Kong, Tokyo, and in Europe and I'm so embarrassed for them and us for our subway. Only my Euro friends have seen it in person. And I dont blame them if they dont come back. Whenever I return from London, I immediately start missing riding the Tube. The MTA is the worst. And if you read the Post this week,lookie, lookie, they need more money! What a surprise.

[@augustrgraham]

@@johnhodgeman3980 What is the logic? “This system is bad so less money will make it better”? The MTA needs more funding to make up for years of deficits, better leadership, and more effective spending. I wish for the best for America’s public services!

[@tlanimass952]

@@augustrgraham The MTA already gets plenty of money. I think their budget is the biggest in the world.

[@ThomasLai-ROC.Taiwan]

The metro in Taiwan are also much cleaner than New York subway, NYC Subway there are many homeless people and the sanitation is extremely poor.

[@leonmozambique533]

At least the NYC metro exists at all. Have you tried riding the BART? 🤣. the MTA is still the best transit system America has by far.

[@laniecakes]

I adore you and all of your warm coats and scarves. I absolutely love all the information you share. Thank you!❤

[@UrbanistExploringCities]

I do like staying cozy. And You are so welcome!

[@educ9283]

In general the NYC subway was a deficient mantainance according if you compare with Europe or also China... Is very ancient the system but other cities has also ancients systems like Budapest but they spend more money in the mantainance. It is a shame according with the level of incomes of the city.

[@ccstefon4810]

budapesht is a great example for how nyc transit should be.

[@qwerty112311]

Politics and vanity projects. Maintaining a station isn’t as sexy as spending $2 billion per mile for a project to add a few stops. That money would be far better spent upgrading the existing system, but dictator cuomo got what he demanded.

[@ccstefon4810]

@@qwerty112311 hey stop! I liked cuomo new york was best with him.

[@FermentingSoysauce]

Well you have to understand the mta gets low funding and a lot of people just ride for free by jumping the turnstiles. Even when the economy is doing well, nyc gov doesn't raise the amount of money mta gets for funding and instead puts it into other projects for the sake of looking good for their next election. That's part of the reason why infrastructure and things like traffic is so poorly maintained in nyc.

[@educ9283]

@@FermentingSoysauce the Federal Gov must fund the Subways of the principal cities of the América in my own

[@jrh7741]

He definitely got tf outta there 😂😂

[@williamerazo3921]

Chamber street station was suppose be a terminal station for the BMT trains LIRR trains coming from the montague tunnel, Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge. Lower Manhattan was what midtown is now

[@sirtko]

I like that station alot actually... as a New Yorker and know many of the stops and lines but especially due to my grandmother. we used to go, just to go sometimes. as well as go to many museums and botanicals and parades but also the not too known subway and train museums both in Brooklyn and that stop in Manhattan used to be near there, if I memory serves me right itt was pretty close to that spot or used to be... maybe you can confirm that location in your vids one day... also remember the used to be a line or two that would pass completely shut down station's but can see when the subway was resetting or switching tracks, it's super awesome if you're able to stay on the train when it does that in those sections... Really Really hope you can both elaborate and show these gems better than I just spewed out 😆🤗🙏💚💚💚✊✨🌌🫂

[@ZeroS115]

If it got restored, it surely would bring many tourists. Yet I highly doubt it will be reimagined.

[@Normal1855]

Not until they start arresting the criminals, and getting rid of the gun free zones. Until they do that, it could sparkle, and I still wouldn't visit.

[@davidhorton3020]

None would come, ever

[@beastlegion2965]

Yes smell of ammonia and rotten rats are huge tourists attraction 😂

[@davidhorton3020]

@Beast wven if it was in mint condition.... it us simply an obsolete station.... like route 6. With route 80 near by... local use only.

[@davidhorton3020]

You must not be from nyc.... or you would not make such ancane sugestion

[@sethschiller832]

I remember there was a connection from chambers street middle tracks that connected to canal street and Manhattan Bridge in the mid 70s

[@Claudia-lq3ns]

Aww! I always looked for Rats on the tracks when I take the subway 🐀😍

[@mdeborah827]

Chambers St on the 1/2/3 line is another horror. Just uggggghhh!

[@rosies1263]

CLEAN IT UP!

[@zachfila]

You clean it up

[@Qboro66]

We got Carlo and Connie over here...😂

[@finesse4848]

​@@Qboro66lmaoo

[@patriciatoomingtheplantpar2558]

While doing some family genealogy and talking to my Dad, I found out that some of my descendants actually made some of those decorative subway station tiles, I'm still digging as to who they were

[@DR-nx4fu]

A comment below, Jayden Curtis seems to know something about the tiles. Maybe you would like to connect. 🙂

[@sharonireland7244]

Here in San Francisco our subway system is called Bay Area Rapid Transit BART I absolutely love it

[@jimoconnor6382]

How old is the tile work in some of those stations? I was really blown away with the old artwork

[@Ayixlia]

At least 100yrs old or close to it.

[@jimoconnor6382]

@@Ayixlia Really? I couldn't believe how nice it looked. So you are looking at the same thing that someone 100 years ago looked at....FDR, Tesla, all kind of historical figures.

[@mohamad-ms2pb]

​@@jimoconnor6382 Close to 110 years old.

[@NiKiMa023]

Hopefully you did a video on the Guastavino outside by the entrance🙏🏾

[@niceanology]

Those lines do have some old bat cave vibes...

[@mitch4527]

Its the most beautiful station on the system because it’s so real. Chambers Street was built in another time, when railroads and subways were considered modern and elegant modes of transportation. When Chambers opened in the 1910’s, it must have been a palace, with high ceilings, chandeliers and gleaming white tiles. As the cache of railroads and subways faded in favor of the automobile, Chambers slowly fell into ruin. It stands today as a monument to the lost love of railroads.

[@Spacedout335]

I want to go to nyc again soon but this is the kinda stuff I’d want to see, all the places that aren’t mainstream and don’t get much attention

[@Ayixlia]

Go to Brooklyn near 5th avenue or go to lower Manhattan near Queens.

[@kerrak.7452]

That’s the parts we cherish here

[@i_am_a_toast_of_french]

that's where the outer boroughs come into play

[@MrRailfan]

You got a bunch of things wrong... It was served briefly by LIRR but it was built this way as it was planned to serve all 3 bridges, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg. The financial center and City hall were on top. The financial centers shifter further north so services were cut. The Brooklyn Bridge connection was never finished. The Nassau loop service via the Manhattan Bridge was cut, leaving only the equivalent of today's J line serving the stop via the Williamsburg bridge (not Manhattan Bridge) It was also never abandoned and the tile work was only recently covered up during station repairs.

[@MatiiCripps]

the station itself is a beautiful piece of architecture, however the maintenance and upkeep of the station are what have made it so ugly

[@davenorth2903]

I live in Dubai. Their metro is spectacular. Clean, safe, on time and comfortable. Prior to this lived in Shanghai. Same. But in NYC the subway is horrendous. Don’t understand why it has to be this way.

[@Transcendent-Economics-101]

Oh, simple, "It's just a place suitable for rats and parasites" -- the crème de la SCUM of America 🇺🇸 🙄

[@idontreallyknow2885]

It’s that way because the US between the 50s and now has been prioritising cars, in places like New York it’s starting to change and It not like that everywhere

[@user-nj1zu2nf1x]

It's because Dubai has funny money

[@byanymeansnecessary9329]

@@user-nj1zu2nf1x all of amerikkkas wealth is STOLEN wealth, the land was stolen, the labor was stolen, and the resources were stolen

[@zachfila]

Did the burg khalifa get indoor plumbing yet or is the sewage still being hauled by trucks

[@DEAN18349O]

There’s a bunch of stations with an unused platform.

[@maryherbst3693]

How hard is it to hold on to trash until you can find a waste bin?!?

[@Outfrost]

aww look at the cute lil rat ❤

[@mindyspencer7637]

Make it beautiful again!

[@1stwonder788]

It’ll take less transit corruption

[@JamesBond-ib9tq]

Make Chambers St. great again!

[@spicybiker3191]

I love these vids you make!! Doing a great job 👏

[@UrbanistExploringCities]

Thank you so much!!

[@sandragrace4613]

It's a great transfer point from IRT in NYC to Bklyn lines. Very fast.

[@littleblackduck3134]

Its actually a very beautiful station with about 2 million tiles but as you say it's been terribly neglected

[@takhashi]

Average NYC subway station. Majority is as filthy as this one.

[@Transcendent-Economics-101]

( ＾◡＾)っ✂❤Thanks Ariel -- But darn it, "now everyone is gonna want to come to NYC"

[@supanyc]

Hahaha

[@danielortiz5666]

Yes chamber street that runs the J & M Trains needs a face-lift & repairs big time

[@georgediaz5522]

The 4, 5 and 6 also run at a different part of this station. By comparison the 4,5,6 portion looks clean and beautiful

[@i_am_a_toast_of_french]

the j and z trains are the most neglected in my opinion

[@georgediaz5522]

@@i_am_a_toast_of_french probably. I've only been in the J a few times. I don't think I've ever been on a Z

[@i_am_a_toast_of_french]

@@georgediaz5522 sidenote: i actually went on the j train recently and the manhattan stations, i can confidently say, are the most destroyed stations in the system

[@SouthernGentleman]

New York respecting history? What are the odds of that?

[@K-Effect]

We can’t have anything nice because some people are slobs and ruined it for us

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

One of the reasons, yes.

[@scubadiva666]

No, this is one of my favorite stations; the original glass tiles are awesome. I love the multiple platforms and stairways to nowhere.

[@soli82cat]

That station has always been messed up 😆 But the only reason why the station has been neglected for so long because it is on the J/Z train lines. Both of these lines largely serve communities that are largely Black, Hispanic/Latino and/or Asian. They also serve communities where poverty is prevalent and services and resources are minimal. MTA have a very sad history of doing the above to communities in NYC that have POC. We also have to realize the J/Z train lines were the last train lines to receive new train cars for its train, the last to receive station upgrades for its old stations. It also hasn't received new switches and repairs are always unending.

[@76biggdogg]

NYC is such a dump... sad

[@anheuser-busch]

It really isn't... The poster was literally showcasing a formerly abandoned subway station.

[@idontreallyknow2885]

The metro needs a lot of money and investment from what I can tell

[@MichaelfromtheGraves]

Yeah, I bet rent is super cheap because no one would want to live there.

[@baarni]

I’m not even American but New York is a huge part of my life because of Australian culture being so highly influenced by American culture…

[@selfmade128]

Finally! 1 place I actually visited from the many videos on your channel 🤣

[@ns3359]

Mts gets more than enough funding, it just gets grifted by contractors who have no accountability and operators who won’t take action

[@nycurbanist3616]

Eh I hope not, we need at least one to stay to that level of filth and grime, it amazes everyone who comes to visit the city the dichotomy between the immaculate glass towers of heaven and the hellscape in some areas below. I love seeing that reaction lol

[@user-nj1zu2nf1x]

I've had friends visit from different countries and they were too dumb or scared to want to see the subway

[@nycurbanist3616]

@@user-nj1zu2nf1x Lol my family, all of whom grew up in NYC or directly outside of it, are horrified of the subway and think it is a battleground when you enter it, it’s sad having to explain it is my number 1 favorite thing about New York

[@Pipppo]

With the amount of millionaires living in NYC it's frankly disappointing seeing the deplorable state of some of the subway stations.

[@cak8132]

That’s because the millionaires probably never ride the subways and they couldn’t care less how deplorable the subways are. Out of sight, out of mind for them.

[@amigochevere5217]

​@@cak8132 It's administered by the most strong unionized public company in the US the MTA , they are paid for doing nothing and nobody can do anything

[@deedee3904]

Millionaires don't use the NYC subway or buses. They use private car and limousine services.

[@1stwonder788]

U can’t spot some millionaire on the sub with security sometimes

[@michaelrmurphy2734]

As if they would take the subway!

[@prestonlewis5210]

Bro if I lived in New York City I would have to have a little 22 pistol with a silencer for the rats

[@Serrauto]

I went to nyc last summer for a week for vacation. The first rat was very scary, the second too. But after 38 of them you start throwing them peace signs✌🏽 and hope for them to find a good dinner on the trash.

[@LelandMaurello]

I like talking to them. Most aren't really rats, they're mice. At least by size; I've seen some BIG ol' rats, but not in the subways. Yet.

[@user-nj1zu2nf1x]

Bro forget the rats. Keep that 22 on you for self-protection

[@Ayixlia]

Not only the Rats are big so are the Squirrels and Pigeons. The Pigeons look like rotisserie chicken you see at those grocery stores out there...maybe they are pigeons?

[@zachfila]

@@user-nj1zu2nf1x protection from what lol

[@mstoraelle8582]

that's right, show it all, the good the bad the ugly...love it

[@jaydencurtis9533]

You should do a video on where those tiles come from because the company no longer exists. I know this because they come from my hometown of Zanesville, Ohio. You can even find a mural dedicated to it. Have a great day and keep learning!

[@craigdavis5407]

The Shawn Carter Line/Hova Line/Reasonable Doubt Line!!!

[@koletg]

This is the stop I get off to go to City hall. The current condition always makes me sad 😢

[@Ant-fm9ps]

Growing up born and raised in New York I love the old look

[@cynthiabarnes-thompson7502]

That train station always reminded me of a scene in a horror movie. Hated it!

[@tangy_t33]

That particular train station ALWAYS scared the hell out of me. It gives apocalypse prop train station to me lol

[@subwaymark]

Williamsburg Bridge trains still serve the station, it is the Manhattan Bridge trains that no longer serve this station as part of the Chrystie Street connection, which severed this station from the Manhattan Br.

[@cazaresjulian14]

been to that station, never thought too much of it, but at least it looks like no-one was smoking while you were there

[@sparkswolverine]

All of the stations on the BMT Nassau Street line are disastrous compared to other stations on other lines, particularly in that area.

[@audreyann1975]

I live in Babylon, NY which is a major hub on the LIRR. I hear and see the trains pulling in the Babylon Train Station all the time. Especially at night. I love the tile work. Gorgeous!

[@rickyparrilla2426]

I have tried searching for pictures of this station when it was first built and I could never find one. I'm sure when the Chambers st station was first built it was beautiful. They have fixed it a little but the platforms, tiles and ceilings are what really need to be repaired. Also an incredible cleaning job. Sad because it's obvious this station was grand at one time like many others.

[@ScottysHaze]

I would LOVE to explore subway stations and whatnot.

[@Rickie_4047]

When the M train runs via J line it terminates at chambers street on the middle track

[@terrellrogers7645]

The caution rat sign tho, then the rat 🤦🏿‍♂️🤣

[@lakegirl239]

Yes, change the culture & change the environment. Turn the clocks back.

[@juliopadua641]

how far back?

[@Sheepheadz]

I love these little factoids, great video. 🎉

[@stegowolf]

Thank you so much for sharing the history of this station!! Even as a kid in the 70s, it was horribly decrepit, and i was always curious as to why!! Such a huge station and so shoddy!! Out of every station in the system, this has my vote for being the worst off! Please dive into this history more!! Had NO idea about its LIRR and Rockaway history!!! What was the route like back then, given that this is on the J line and Rockaway went through the currently-still-abandoned-but-hoping-it-will-be-revived LIRR Rockaway branch in Queens?

[@toters2724]

no I'm pretty sure it just served BMT trains and never the LIRR

[@toddhunter3137]

Love your video. There's some ugly stations in the UK too. 😂

[@good4nyc]

You, making a good video and giving valuable information! I live in New York... but before, I lived in Ukraine... I was shocked when I saw the New York Subway station... Kiev metro is like a museum... but here we live in the Capital of the World... it can't be like this... New York has to be a best city!

[@ProdProdProdcredits]

so this is where JAY-Z got his name

[@brettm1251]

cool little short Ariel, i do hope they restore and clean it up. are you planning any new live streams

[@xyz-fw9nh]

This looks like that phantom forces map

[@bobcharlie2337]

YES!! PLEAS!! clean it up.

[@jenniferphillips4765]

SO SO SAD, AND YES I HOPE THAT THEY DO TAKE THE TIME TO CLEAN UT FIX IT UP IT WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL.

[@dalemcilwain]

Service on the Williamsburg Bridge hasn't stopped. Chambers Street Station used to be the last stop for the J train on the weekends. Connects with the 4,5 & 6 City Hall Station.

[@ComputerGuyAndy]

I'd love to see it restored. I grew up using that subway system.

[@roddyboyno1]

Loving your content

[@davidcheung7789]

I like it the way it is. You don't alter nostalgia.

[@gotmilk91]

J & Z still run normal service over the Williamsburg Bridge

[@AllTimeAesthetic]

I used to get out there for work and a couple times I saw people shooting up heroin

[@Sarah-fegari]

At this time, 90% of the MTA subway looks like this

[@felipebaez3512]

i LOVE this station its like a museum

[@ivancerecer5758]

POV: You entered any NYC subway

[@realninjaent544]

Yea, i hate being there late night. Its spooky like 2 a.m when your alone

[@theshootingstars5192]

That’s not ugly that’s cool

[@marvwatkins7029]

Leave as it is and its great display and symbolism of NYC decadence. It will then become the city's #1 tourist location.

[@jerseybred732]

My brother-in-law works for the PATH train. I should say worked because he moved to Texas a month ago. When he told them he was leaving they had no idea how to file the paperwork so they told him just to keep collecting his paycheck and call out everyday for the next 6 months.

[@elizabeths.1888]

🤦🏽‍♀️Ummm, I hope he got that in writing. Someone will turn around and say HEwas committing fraud and take the money back.

[@glamma77]

I’m glad you lived to upload!😮

[@pabloa7121]

Thanks for showing us NYC from all perspectives. This is an interesting story of evolution and value.

[@davidmoog6223]

It was built so large because the BMT ran over the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridge as two separate downtown loops. Also originally 5 BMT elevated lines were supposed to also stop at a terminal linked to this station. The terminal was built but never put into service.

[@lillianstr1752]

A major restoration would reveal such beauty. I'd love to decorate with some of the tiling. I've seen it before and it could be a colorful masterpiece. NYC has so much hidden beauty.

[@attache675]

The dankest stations in Japan’s countryside are kept in way better condition than this dump. Man quite embarrassing at how dilapidated and just plain nasty everything is.

[@yingyangorca4124]

They looks like the one that was in "the warriors" is it? I'm from Australia

[@brokeandnamelessnyc]

Ugh, the memories! I’ve always hated this station (I used to catch the J everyday). What’s funny though is no matter how late it was I never unsafe at this station. So glad I don’t have to use the subway anymore.

[@stickynorth]

The NYC metro system needs a complete overhaul. Automated trains into stations with platform screen doors. AC with proper HVAC and HEPA filtration. It's a crying shame that the world's richest cities transit system looks positively Dickensian...