NYC Subway Shuttles → Day 9 of 12 Days of Transit Vlogmas 2023

It's the ninth day of 12 Days of Transit Vlogmas for 2023. We're taking a look at the diverse ways people get around in New York City. For Day 9 we are going to look at the shuttle trains of the New York Subway. The NYC Subway has several shuttle trains (designated by the S sign). But have you ever ridden one? What are they all about? Are they any different? We are going to ride one today.
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[@totallynothoodiejudge9993]

as a frequent 42 St shuttle rider, it’s super useful. sometimes the 7 gets too crowded and it’s much easier to use the shuttle. walking to it can be difficult since it was part of the original subway, but it’s extremely helpful and speeds things up well

[@rackstraw]

The Shuttle is very useful, epsecially if you're schlepping luggage, as it's closer to street level. The 7 is two levels down and you have to deal with the stairs.

[@marcszechter8852]

I grew up in Westchester, and whenever I needed to get to the West Side, I took the shuttle. The 7 is deep below the ground whereas the shuttle is very close to both the Metro North at GCT and the 1/2/3 at Times Square. At rush hour, it’s quite crowded. It also is the fastest way to get from GCT to Penn Station and back

[@SeaBassTian]

I kept shaking my head during this video! I can see that you have never rushed to make a train at Grand Central. For those of us who used to work on the West Side and lived in Westchester, the shuttle was a godsend. Yes it's just one stop but most of us did not work in times square so this was an extra step we had to take to get to GCT and if you're coming from the 1, it was superquick.

[@raakone]

Fun fact: The internal name for the Times Square-42nd Street shuttle is the "0" line, since it uses "number" sized trains (was built by the IRT). Also, until recently there were three tracks, each with a train, and a long time before that, there were four tracks. While one track does run "beyond" at each end, the tracks themselves no longer have any physical connection to each other. So one could argue in effect it's two different "lines" that just happen to share the exact same stations. The same way you have many "services" on one "line", here it's one "service" that uses two lines!

[@Someone-ui5uk]

The null-line is a very cool name, it gives a weird and usual atmosphere to it. I LOVE IT

[@raakone]

@@Someone-ui5uk considering how, among other things, it has only two stops, it's actually two physical "lines" that are not connected, and sometimes has those trains with most of the seating missing....maybe 0 is better than S!

[@Someone-ui5uk]

@@raakone idc, I’ll call it them the 0-lines ( null-lines ) from now on, this name is super cool !

[@stepheneson4107]

Here is one of those unique situations where your viewers are contributing to the video as much as you are!... and I mean that in the most positive and complimentary way. You freely admitted you're not a regular rider of the Shuttle and don't fully understand the point of it-- so your readers chime in with many great comments below. I'll only add that if I'm going crosstown from the ACE lines I'll use the 7 train, as it is a shorter walk underground to connect to that than it is to walk all the to the S; but if I'm transferring from the 7th or 6th Avenue lines I'll use the shuttle as it is a very short walk on the same level.

[@ryanstevens2722]

A more useful shuttle would connect Penn Station to Grand Central.

[@johnhawkinson]

I regularly connect between Amtrak (at Penn Station) and Metro-North (at Grand Central Terminal), and while a 1-seat ride between them would be more convenient for me, I don't think there are many people who regularly make that connection. It's hard to see it being justified, and the shuttle's frequent headways and single-stop nature make it ideal for connecting with other trains (card-carrying member of Tautology Club, here!). Of course, this an assessment of present-day utility…under those constraints, even the current 42nd St Shuttle would be hard to justify the construction of, it was built at a different time under when the politics and business of transit was very different. If you wouldn't build a 42nd St Shuttle today, you'd be even less likely to build a GCT/NYP shuttle. On the other hand, if you wanted to connect GCT and NYP, either a north/south line that bent east/west (like the NQRW but bending west instead of east as you go downtown); or an east/west line like the 7 (going to Penn. instead of Hudson Yards) would both be more logical alternatives than your hypothetical shuttle.

[@JaSoundz]

I used to wonder about the usefulness of the shuttle too since the 7 serves these stations. However, riding the shuttle and/or the 7 during the height of rush hour will likely show you on the spot how useful it is. During rush hour, it makes perfect sense. Maybe not so much off peak. 🤔 But hey, all things considered, the 42nd Street Shuttle is one of those iconic MTA things in my opinion. The next time I'm in the city I need to ride it. I haven't seen(in-person) the cars with removed seats. 👍🏾 Nice job on the 12 days series, by the way. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾😊

[@YourHoss]

I think it probably makes a lot of sense for a Hudson valley commuter coming off of metro north working in Times Square. There were a lot more of them before the pandemic.

[@Mk99987]

The 42 st shuttle was introduced when the IRT was split between east and west side lines after 1917.

[@KevinMCombes]

The 42nd street shuttle used to run shorter trains when it had three tracks. Two of the tracks had 3-car trains, and the third had a 4-car set. When the shuttle was overhauled to be accessible, one track was removed but the trains were lengthened to 6 cars to make up for the slightly less frequent service. There are now 12 cars in circulation instead of 10, you just may have to wait slightly longer for it to depart.

[@mjchang42]

And that now missing track was turned into the access tunnel from Times Square to the F/6th Ave 42nd St so the map at 0:57 should have a black line between Times Square and the F/6th Ave 42nd St. Bryant Park station. Tunnel is at the east end of the shuttle platform connecting to the north end of the 6th Ave subway platforms (not mezzanine level with the turnstiles are) via stairs.

[@Undecided0]

If you’re at Times Square on the N, Q, R, W & 1, 2, 3 near the Uptown side of the train. The shuttle makes more sense. If you’re at Grand Central on the 4, 5, 6, at Times Square on the 1, 2, 3 near the downtown side of the train, at the Port Authority on the A, C, E. Taking the 7 makes more sense. If you’re coming from outside. I suggest the shuttle or just walk to GCT/PABT/TS.

[@daveshep]

On a bitterly cold winter day, the 42nd Street shuttle is a nice warm way to get from the west side of midtown to the east. The stairs down to the 7 line are formidable. I love the Manhattan S train!

[@pokemonred2005]

The shuttle's entrance at Grand Central is right next to the main entrance to Grand Central Madison. I find it's easier to connect to the Long Island Rail Road via the shuttle if I'm going via Grand Central.

[@Musicradio77Network]

There’s also a Franklin Ave. Shuttle train where it takes you to Prospect Park and it has 4 stops including Park Ave. Botanic Garden and Prospect Park, and that was it. There used to be a stop on Dean St., but it was taken down back in the late 1990’s.

[@stevenroshni1228]

I encourge you to go during rush hour and see how crowded both the 7 and shuttle gets and there. Fun fact: the shuttle sort of pre dates the seven train. The first subway line started at city hall, up Lexington to Grand Central and then used the tracks the shuttle uses to get to Broadway to go uptown.

[@blakemcnamara9105]

The shuttle is a remnant of the original IRT "Z" system when it used to cross from the East to the West Side. Up until a few years ago, there were still three tracks and the trains were only three to four cars long. There was also a good deal of antique signal equipment. Sad it was so heavily modernised.

[@DV-ml4fm]

I'll take the 7 or the shuttle which ever I'm closer to.

[@jfmezei]

The S is fine if you re on eastenr side of Penn Station and take the 123 to 42nd street and transfer to S. But if you are at Moynyhan, the nearest subway is the ACE and it is a forever walk to get to the S. Ideally, the S should have been extended to the ACE station at 42nd. And better yet, make a left turn on 8th and make stops at both bus terminal and 34th Penn Station. A shuttle between Penn, Bus and Grand Central !

[@ejorbe]

The one time my girlfriend and I were going to use the 7 train from grand central to 42st because it was raining and cold out, the 7 train was not running. It was a weekend and the option was the S train. That was my first time ever being on that train and it was very beneficial. We then walked through the tunnel underground to Port Authority. Fortunately by that time the rain had stopped. Do I remember how to get to the S train……that is a different story.

[@ccuda480]

I use the 42nd street shuttle all the time.

[@Mk99987]

Cant have less than 5 cars for technical reasons-no couplers!

[@MTAFan585]

I love the S shuttle in Times Square. It’s very unique cause it’s a non stop train between Times Square and Grand Central. Although most of the train has no seats in the middle of the train car but each side of the train has 4 cars each. I usually take it from Grand Central to Times Square. The only thing is that if I already payed my fare and the board says 1 minute, you have to run before the train doors closed. It would say “Stand Clear of The Closing Doors on either tracks 1 or 4. It’s more useful than the (7) but yet again I happened to take it if I’m coming from the NYPL, but if I’m coming from Grand Central or upper manhattan, I would use it to get to Times Square and catch the other subway trains. You would also have the M42 bus but the reliability of the service is less frequent than the the 42nd Street Shuttle. Thanks for making this video and I continue to ride the (S) until this very day

[@mood4eva98]

Fun fact they just reconfigured the shuttle from a 3-track 3-car (tracks 1 & 3) and a 4-car line to a two-track 6-car line

[@pbatransit9487]

the shuttle is more reliable than the 7 because its route is very short, so it usually runs on time down to 10 seconds or so, it is better to get between grand central and times sq because it's faster than the 7, and the general rule of thumb is to take the shuttle if ur only going between those two stations because the 7 typically gets very crowded with ppl going to/from queens

[@jjkazakoff-eigen4662]

Can you make a video on all the shuttle trains? Thanks a lot.

[@JTA8130LV]

Taken the S many times, I can get a handicapped access to other trains I can’t get at Times Square that I can get at GCT. Access to 7 at Times Square is one of them.

[@stevenj2380]

I remember G-length was shortened for budget cuts (uses less electricity) and back then said to be less ridership. I can't find a direct refence online to the date of the cut. Population growth along the line of recent years leading to calls to restore the trains, but there is a shortage of train cars needed. Reported early last year (2022) would cost $130 million. to buy. GCT-Times Sq. Shuttle during rush hour used to be full. NYC declined.

[@cammiluna]

The 7-train never worked half the time and many times the 7-train only had service between Queensboro Plaza and Main Street Flushing and, at least back before the pandemic, the trains would get so crowded during rush hour that people squeezed themselves in or had to wait for the next train to get on one, so the S train was necessary, and it probably has to stick around until 7 train service is actually fully reliable. I left NYC in 2020 and don't know if the 7 train stations still get packed like tuna cans.

[@matthiashowley2570]

I wish you did the Franklin Ave Shuttle! It connects so mainy subway lines in Brooklyn

[@JuanNunez2023]

There used to be a few more shuttle trains in the subway system. The SS shuttle that connected the Bowling Green and South Ferry stations. That was discontinued in the 70's. The Grand Street shuttle which ran most the current day Manhattan M line except it started on the B/D Grand St station instead of the Delancey/Essex station. The Culver Shuttle, which was an above ground shuttle that connected the D and F lines in Brooklyn. This was discontinued in the 70's and this connection doesn't exist at all today. There's also a few other shuttle services that have popped up over the years due to construction and months or years long service disruptions. Shuttle are a reminder of how flexible the subways lines can be. They aren't as set in stone as they might appear.

[@FTrainProductions]

The 7 is better if you need to catch the A/C/E or to access the bus terminal but anything else, the shuttle is better.

[@italia689]

Or if you want to see the Mets!

[@richshort8120]

@italia689 Let's Go Mets! ⚾️

[@peterthehappywaiguoren]

Merry Vlogmas!

[@stephenblomfield6]

"S" is for the Shuttle train ... but given the content of this video I'm actually thinking the "S" stands for Stupid, Silly and Stupid 😂

[@lipkinasl]

The way to find the value of the Shuttle is surely to get stopwatch out and do some back and forth trips starting/ending at same places to compare S vs 7, to see. Obviously it would seem to depend on where you are going before and after, so you might need several experimental trips starting/ending different locations within each station for a full comparison. And also probably to go out in the peak, to see how busy the 7 train is.

[@gdretired4385]

The TS - GCS shuttle would be a good choice for non-subway users. With the #7, they might end up in Queens.

[@markconrad6214]

The Shuttle is very useful and since the stations were rebuilt (they used to have 3 tracks and the Times Square stop was very curved), the stations are larger and easier to navigate. It is quite and about two levels higher than the No. 7 line. Also, there is a transfer to the 6th Avenue D F and M lines by walking through a link, which was a super connection between the Q and the F lines during this phase when the F line has been rerouted.

[@user-lw3qo2dg2k]

Love your vids so much ❤❤❤❤❤

[@D...M...A...]

Way early for day 10 , I will wait ... ❤

[@RCfromtheNYC]

The path of the shuttle is a remnant of the first subway line in Manhattan. It came up from City Hall on the now Lexington Avenue line, turn into the (now refurbished) platform where the shuttle ends at Grand Central, go down to Times Square (the shuttle platform was the original subway station there) then turn north along the Bway-7th Avenue line and up into Washington Heights.

[@amyc6071]

I’ve found the 42nd Street super useful for getting between the 1/2/3 and 4/5/6 lines in midtown when trying to travel between the UES and the west side of midtown/village. I’ve done the 7 as well and it doesn’t run as frequently most of the time and is less reliable. The shuttle isn’t subject to problems elsewhere on a line somewhere. It just runs.

[@professional.commentator]

2:50 Wait the Manhattan Shuttle doesn't have any seats in the middle of cars??? 😮 I've been living in NYC for over two decades and this is a first for me. Like it's weird because the Brooklyn Shuttle at Prospect Park is basically a normal train but with only 4 train cars. But a train that is physically missing that many seats is one of the weirdest things I've ever seen in NYC!

[@superxman]

Since I am a midtown resident, I do take the 7 and shuttle trains a lot, I usually take the 7 train because I go to downtown a lot but for me to use the S train, it usually for going to 1,2,3 lines to uptown area and it a lot closer and easier to get there so I do that instead of 7 train. I also use the shuttle train just in case because going to use the 7 train can be a headache sometimes especially with delays and amount of crowding there...also shuttle is great for accessibility as well for ppl on wheelchairs

[@Undecided0]

I live in Chelsea/Flatiron/NoMad. Most of the time if I’m going to Port Authority, Grand Central, or Penn Station. I just walk. If it’s raining I may take the train.

[@johnhawkinson]

I think, actually, the shuttle is most relevant to people who are *NOT* midtown residents. It really benefits people making connections at Times Sq.

[@yvb5072]

Yes, very useful

[@damnimloomin]

I know this is not possible or it would have happened by now but it would make so much sense if the S in manhattan ran from 34st Penn station to grand central via Times Square. It would get SO much use id wouldn’t even matter if they went from 1,2,3 34st or A,C,E/ port authority either way it would be utilized.

[@saxmanb777]

They recently removed 1 or 2 (?) Tracks on the shuttle line. You walked right over where they use to be. It really opened up the platform on both ends.

[@chuck1728]

If you are in the East Side and need to get to a Westside train this is the only train to use.

[@worst.username._ever]

It's often a lot quicker to get to the shuttle than to the 7 from the ground level of GCT since the 7 is another level down from the other subways. Also the lack of seats has to be a recent thing in the last few years. I remember it having the same seating as any other R62A

[@jonathanthompson4077]

This year was the first time I used the 42nd St shuttle, and it can be useful when 7 is crowded so while niche, it does have a place.

[@russellmancillas4464]

fun

[@kevanhubbard9673]

Looks quite popular but it might be quicker to walk the whole way rather than going down into the bowels of various stations.

[@stevenroshni1228]

most passengers are already "inside the bowels" when using the shuttle.

[@UNDERTAKER2621]

💞

[@richshort8120]

I think it makes sense for the shuttle during the rush hour because the 7 train gets crowded. Interesting fact of the shuttle train, I remember taking the shuttle in the 1960s with my dad he told me that the train drives automatic by itself between the two stations. (No motorman) Great video as always 87th liked 👍 Have a wonderful safe week ahead Thea 😎👍

[@stevenroshni1228]

automatic train tech was tested there but was abandoned and now the shuttle uses some of the oldest tech in the whole system

[@jacoanimationstudio-di7hi]

I think I’m the only human being who hates the 42nd St Shuttle…

[@cicchiamichael]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🙂💥💥💥💥

[@Undecided0]

They’re planning to add a Bryant Park stop to the shuttle along with connecting the underground pedestrian tunnel from Times Square to Grand Central. Which to me is pointless. Why would I pay a fare to walk from the PABT to GCT when I can do that outside for free.

[@stevenroshni1228]

Stopping at Bryant Park would slow everything down. I'm guessing that walkway, along with the currently closed Bryant Park to Harold Square walkways would be a shopping center, maybe even coworking space. That real estate is extremely valuable.

[@durece100]

This isn't pointless. People need to walk from 6 ave line to 7th Avenue/Broadway line, so New Yorkers won't go outside from rain and snow during daytime.

[@Undecided0]

@@durece100There’s trains for that.

[@durece100]

@@Undecided0 You're not understanding my comment, do you?

[@jeffreysmith85]

If want to help the disarmed get a wheelchair a dilm how go navigate your transit

[@SasserReturns]

for those of you who use the shuttle, what for? lol i've never had an explicit need to go from times square to grand central ever in my life. is it just to connect to other trains or do you guys actually pay fare to go from grand central to times square and vice versa, like i really don't know

[@stevenroshni1228]

yes, it is a connector. Coming off Metro North or LIRR (if you couldn't wait for a Penn Station train) to get to the West side

[@johnhawkinson]

It's almost always part of a connecting trip on the Times Square end, most frequently the 1/2/3 and N/Q/R/W. And a lot of people make those connections to Grand Central!

[@italia689]

To get from lexington avenue to seventh avenue. That's all!

[@johnhawkinson]

This is…not a good take, because it doesn't allow viewers to understand nearly any of the pros and cons of the 42nd St Shuttle - it feels uninformed. I regularly ride the shuttle between the West Side IRT (1,2,3 trains) and Metro-North at Grand Central, and it is extremely well-optimized for this and far better than the 7 train. The 7 train is…one, two, three, four? levels underground, with slower headways and longer trips. If I'm at Times Sq., I can take the shuttle and make an hourly Metro-North train in about 5 minutes, and the 7 train is far more uncertain, slower, and requires far greater expenditure of physical effort to sprint up and down stairs and navigate through packed people on stairways, platforms, and corridors. The shuttle at Grand Central is quite close to the upper-level west-side Metro North tracks, so its placement is excellent for users of those trains (and pretty good on the 1,2,3 end). On the rare occasions when I have to take the 7 instead of the shuttle (after midnight; or planned work for the shuttle), it always a bother, and more than once I've missed my train because I didn't account for the shuttle not running. As noted on a prior day of Vlogmas, although the MTA doesn't publish station platform/corridor maps, others do, so it's not right to say "there are no maps." Try ""Project Subway NYC." That said, I'm not sure how much of an issue maps really are - if you're riding it as a one-off, the various apps will do the geographic math for you, and if you're a regular commuter, you have time to experiment with the options and learn which works best for you. To assess whether a train route is worth the operational costs, your assessment needs to include (and favor?) rush hour, when the bulk of people travel it. The shuttle used to have seating, and most of it was removed to add more capacity, and I think most people agree that was the right tradeoff. (Of course, the platforms were widened and the number of tracks reduced as well, so that was a related issue.)

[@user-sg8so6uw4r]

I was in Hudson yards makes sense you were in times square while i was heading to flushing

[@user-sg8so6uw4r]

Thea is was in Hudson yards today