Riding Every NYC Subway Line and Rating it | BMT Edition

[@jointransitassociation]

Note: Almost every NYC Subway line in this series was done in multiple parts. I did this to get the videos out faster, and so that there won't be an "outlier" experience. After all, basing my ratings on only one ride isn't fair.

[@robertko5425]

The (J)/ lines are NOT bad. But on many, many weekends it is essentially SHUT DOWN from Jamaica Center/Parsons Archer to either Crescent Street or Broadway Junction. Also are the overly heavy R160's doing a lot of damage to these older elevated structures, since they are well over 100 years old , and the R160 cars weigh 87,000 lbs for the A cab cars, and 85,000 lbs for the B non-cab cars. The R179's weigh 81,000 lbs for the A cab cars, and 79,000 lbs for the B non-cab cars. The R143's weigh in at an average 82,000 lbs each. This may explain a lot of why the (J)/ line east of Bway Junction is out of service very frequently.

[@robertko5425]

The (L) has very good service most of the time. Its is also shut down frequently on weekends due to the metal fatigue of the older elevated structures south of Bushwick Av which may eventually require replacement as well. An extension to Starrett City or Spring Creek Towers were planned in the early 1970's as well.

[@robertko5425]

The (Q) is not bad at all, since it has to share tracks with the (B) and (N) lines as well.

[@robertko5425]

The (N) line has to merge with the (Q) line at Gold Street interlocking, and merge with the (R) & (W) at 34 Street to reach Astoria Ditmars Blvd. When the (N) ran to and from Forest Hills 71 Av, it was Express from 57 Street in Manhattan all the way to 59 Street in Brooklyn, skipping DeKalb Av during rush hours only. The people from Astoria wants Broadway Local service, so the (W) was created to placate them as well. Plus 49 Street is a very busy station that should have been built as an express station as well.

[@robertko5425]

The (R) line for Rancid, Rarely and Rotten is perhaps the WORST Line in the entire BMT/IND system. It was at one time one of the BEST lines in the system that you can set your watch by it. It originally ran from Astoria Ditmars Blvd and local down to Bay Ridge 95 Street with a 1 hour and 04 minutes running time, and the service was GOOD, but not great. When it was changed to Forest Hills 71 Av with the 1988 Queens Terminal swap with the (N) it became a horrible 1 hour and 36 minutes all local and all stop marathon, thus the horrible service now. In order for this line to be successful again - the (R) line needs to be shortened.

[@noahnorman6877]

Oh boy, the long awaited BMT… I can’t wait to hear JTA tear apart every single line for how so infrequent and slow they are!

[@zlionunderground6380]

It’s also the IND as well. The A, B, C, and D trains mostly… the EFG is good since they all have cbtc

[@BMTEnjoyer160]

The (L) exists

[@noahnorman6877]

@@BMTEnjoyer160 That’s the only exception.

[@ECRALSE40LPS]

​@@zlionunderground6380almost most of the lines recieve shitty scores with the highest of IND is the G, BMT is the L while the IRT is the 7. All 3 of these don't even interline and have no issues. The G needs more to be better MTA stop with this and Have F go Express and restore Bergen Street as an Express and local station then the G would be better as for long equipment maybe not yet.

[@aqua2poweros699]

I had a dream once and it was that you finished this series. My dream officially came true today.

[@JavierVelez2007]

Great series man. If you’re in Lower Manhattan, take the 4 or 5 train like you said. If you want shorter wait times, I highly suggest taking the L or the 7 train. It’s no surprise that the R and W are two of the worst lines in the entire system like you said, especially when talking about two of the sharpest curves in entire system that they both run through. But one thing I’ll give the R is the R160s that run on the line, but then again, that’s not saying much.

[@boguette_]

Also, I think that the Q should deserve higher ranking. During weekends it's the only line that serves Brighton and many neighborhoods in south Brooklyn. Yes the frequency is bad, but, it lives up to it because the only bus line that almost runs parallel with it is B68. I think usefulness should be at least a 9 or 9.5. And for the comfort, I actually quite like the rocking of the trains on Broadway. I think of comfort as warm lighting and having a seat. I hate R46 but love them because of the sand-colored wallpaper.

[@koga115]

I love the Q! I have no real issues with it, although yeah, sometimes the wait times can suck, but that's rare in my personal experience. Also, the 49 bus is another business that sorta parallels the Q line, along with the 68

[@andyharris9377]

Problem is the Q train is ALWAYS so slow 😭

[@NovusOSC]

​@@andyharris9377That's MTA's fault for giving the (Q) R46s (R68s are badass on the Q and you can't tell me otherwise)

[@AmardH3473]

12 mins for the next Q train. Yeah a real great line

[@falanded]

i LOVE my ears bleeding when i take the w 😍

[@aqua2poweros699]

or the R

[@morganschmitt5370]

Good luck destroying your eardrums

[@Reformperson]

The City hall S curve is not only where you will find loud ear piercing screeches but also the Cresent St S Curve as well which has J Trains going super slow because of those extremely sharp curves. Now with the Broadway Line the Astoria Line has major flaws on people wanting that express service but it’s better for the N and Q to go to 96 St and the R to go to Astoria. That solves Dekalb Junction merging problems also. With the Nassau St line the reason why the J line frequencies are so garbage is because of the Z. Skip Stop service is absolutely useless and there are Residents that live near the BMT Jamaica Line call for the elimination of the Z line to boost J service. With the L line being the most useful in the BMT the only thing it needs is tail tracks after 8th Ave and an expanded Atlantic Ave for shorturns for the L to see 30-33tph. The scores for the most useful in each division IRT: 7 IND: G BMT: L

[@adrianwitzburg4140]

Nice as always! I’ve been waiting this for months! Definitely worth the wait! Also, I’d like a video of how to improve the Broadway Line, due to how bad it is, especially that the MTA put the oldest rolling stock on 3 of the 4 lines covering it.

[@briancatchflightss]

I feel like the best line is the G Train because of how it connects Brooklyn to Queens Crossing Through Major Areas, like Bed Stuy, Downtown Brooklyn Williamsburg, Long Island City. Without it, it’d be impossible to get to Queens unless you take a bus. 🚌

[@DistrosProjects]

The only time the R is useful in lower Manhattan is if the 4/5/6 are running with delays or are overcrowded. In my experience of getting from Manhattan to Brooklyn, the R (along with the rest of the Broadway line) is usually not as crowded as the other lines because it is slow and no one wants to take it. The R (*very* unfortunately) also provides one of the few ways to go between the IND and IRT/other BMT lines in Downtown Brooklyn because of close-proximity stations not having free transfers (Fulton G/Lafayette C/Barclays, Hoyt/Hoyt Schermerhorn, Jay Street/Borough Hall). In the case of Jay Street and Borough Hall, you can take the R train, but thanks to the extraordinarily long transfer, dangerously narrow island platforms (I can only imagine how dangerous they are if you're in a wheelchair, and Jay is an "accessible" station!), and curves in the tracks, it is often faster to walk *even if the R train is in the station*. Those two stations not having a direct passageway between them is acceptable, but no free out-of-system transfer is ridiculous.

[@TranscendentAzure89]

It's wild how much this made me realize that the current BMT lines really do have some insane decisions working against their peak performance (with the L being excused somewhat). The N merge versus running the Broadway Locals to Astoria and Expresses to 2nd Ave, the numerous curves that need to be addressed with lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn on the R/Broadway Locals, DeKalb Junction™, the entirety of the Z train and the continued aged design of the J... The Broadway Express bit especially bugs me because it has extreme amounts of potential considering the express runs along 4th Avenue in Brooklyn over the Manhattan Bridge to then serve some of the most diverse and important stations in Manhattan. An express service should be the one that takes on the role of the Staten Island Forest Avenue line due to how theoretically good that run should be but those headways and these weird little inconsistencies in planning and route execution...

[@nickberis1249]

Good stuff I really enjoyed watching and listening to you

[@coolyungdru]

As an nyc commuter I found this quite amusing.

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

Agreed

[@ikal8178]

you should do the three other metros in the region in the sequel to this, JFK airtrain, PATH, and the Staten Island Railway

[@EndIessProductions]

u cannot ride the air train unless u need to get somewhere fr

[@mmcdonald8110]

The only ntt that has hunting oscillation is the r142

[@TiagoGomez-hb9te]

Why?

[@saulschlapik6818]

4:43 That's actually the Sands St. complex in downtown Brooklyn. It was torn down in 1944 when the elevated trains were removed from the Brooklyn Bridge.

[@carytodd7211]

Really cool video. Thanks for lroducing such content for transit fans who are nowhere NEAR New York.

[@morganschmitt5370]

I would want a video on the 34th street merge on the N line and also if possible can there be a rating of all lirr branches since you did an overview of the Lirr

[@BMTEnjoyer160]

7:04 that was cool

[@SeanSoraghan]

Ny subway doesn't have 472 station.. because of double counting for station per line.

[@sierrafirerider]

A Division is the reason why I don’t have a seat and my legs always feel like jelly after a long day at work. B Division is the reason why I’m always late.

[@sazanadora565]

Would be cool for you to extend this to other cities (with the same ranking system), like Chicago for example.

[@avibarr2751]

I always ride the BMT bc I love the r46/r68 so so much

[@User_6498]

Where is the full leaderboard?

[@josephrosner905]

yea fr

[@apigz]

I used to experience the R curves twice a week and the first time I heard them I genuinely thought something was wrong and took out my headphones 😢

[@mtanycftrain3812]

To be honest I think the (E) or (F) lines could use a Queens extension. The Queens BLVD line is so congested is it no joke. With the (M) and (R) running on the same line as the (E) and (F).

[@AmirFromNYC]

THANK YOU MAN!!!

[@AmirFromNYC]

if this was done during the f and m swap, the R would have been higher

[@ThatCrazyAK-b1g]

Only a little bit because, don’t forget those curves in Lower Manhattan and the ridiculous slow speeds on the R.

[@AmirFromNYC]

@@ThatCrazyAK-b1g at most a 19 or 20/40

[@norifromreallife-di7hi]

I can already tell bro is gonna be flaming the J and M trains 💀

[@Stylez-sv1cv]

If they do bury the Franklin av shuttle extending it to Bedford nostrand av then u can run a full crosstown line from Brighton beach to queens

[@darkgalaxyi_o_l_o_i7831]

Coney Island to Court Square and have the B and Q end at Brighton Beach so that Brighton express can run 20 tph

[@Stylez-sv1cv]

Very true but either the B or Q HAS to terminate at Coney Island tho. Also I was thinking to run the crosstown line to forest hills

[@BMTEnjoyer160]

It’s about time :)

[@sennpowerhv6922]

At least in downtown Manhattan the R train has 60 foot cars at the sharp curves but the W has 75 foot cars so that is a plus for the R

[@r62aguy85]

Bro what who cares if one is 60 and other is 75 they both get the job done in the curve so what difference does it make besides the W gets a plus because it has windows seats and you don’t have to break your neck by turning your head 360 just to see what stop your at the R46 may be old but that is a futuristic feature that the new trains don’t have and should

[@koga115]

While the A division is cool, something about the B division calls to me...

[@Windyyyyyyyyy]

W train literally makes zero sense to me, and the fact that they want to expand to Red Hook just makes no sense. I am eagerly waiting for an actual train that goes from Brooklyn to Queens instead of having just the G. Also I always found the R horrible. If you want to be late to work, spend way too much time goofing off, or just want to feel miserable, take the R. you will not regret it.

[@theretronavigator]

The J/Z skip-stop complaint, as someone who takes the train quite often, is a bit overblown. Yes, waiting 10 minutes for J trains at their stations isn’t the best, but at least trains aren’t super crowded, like how the 4/5 or A trains tend to be during the rush. Trust me, 2 years of taking the J train for evening classes at Queens College from Alabama Avenue, getting a less crowded Z train was a boon. J trains are crowded, even in the mornings headed to Jamaica. Combined frequencies on the peak direction non-skip-stop sections are 5 minutes, on a train with average ridership. Bushwick/Bed-Stuy is slightly gentrifying, but it’s not as crazy as the Canarsie Line or the Fulton Street Line. I dunno, fam, you have to actually use the service to see the true benefits of a non-neutered skip-stop service, like the 1/9 was by the NIMBYs in the Upper West Side.

[@ECRALSE40LPS]

Compare skip stop is similar to saying the Current M is better than the Brown M. It's better being simple from Myrtle Avenue to Middle Village-Metropolitan Avenue it's much better than just heading riding it only for you to know that it's pointless. MTA should have the M extended to LGA via Junction Blvd. Stopping at 76 Street, Woodhaven Blvd, Queens Blvd for connections to QBL, Rossevelt Avenue for connections to the 7, Northern Blvd, and last stop LGA. M should use the upper level not the lower level.

[@jointransitassociation]

The 1/9 service only saved 3 minutes if you started your trip in the Bronx. The added complexity of running skip stop, plus the doubling of wait times did not make it worth while to keep it, which is why the 9 train ended in 2005. And the precise timing of skip stop can sometimes lower capacity. In 1989, the MTA considered putting skip stop on the 7. They didn't do it because one, the 7 has a really good express track to use, and two, it would reduced capacity by 20 percent.

[@22k_LOL]

Finally bmt lines

[@jellywucy8967]

even the shutttle did better than the w

[@cheezewiz755]

SCREEECHHHHHH 7 thru queensboro plaza

[@louisjohnson3755]

I honestly don’t consider waiting 8 minutes a long time

[@wflinner]

as someone who deals with 12-14 minute frequencies on average (which still isn't TOO bad), it made each complaint feel more and more overblown each time lol

[@abcd124]

me either. ngl seems like an overexaggeration on OP's behalf.

[@jointransitassociation]

And why is that?

[@jointransitassociation]

@@abcd124 It really isn't. If it were, the R train won't be put on blast 24/7, and there would be no such thing called 6 minute service.

[@jointransitassociation]

@@wflinner And as someone who had to deal with the CTA for a year, where 20+ minute wait times were the norm, don't tell me that it makes my complaint overblown. And I don't like doing this because when was horrible wait times are bragging point? That the automatic response to a horrible wait time is to one up that? I thought horrible wait times are a point of universal condemnation. And I am sorry, but this "one up" line is not a defense because that doesn't address my issue, but rather dismisses it. Imagine you are at a public hearing, you are complaining about the R train. How slow it is. How infrequent it is. Then at the end of it, Janno Lieber says, well, you are lucky, as people in Chicago have to wait 20 minutes for a train. You would rightfully be furious, because that doesn’t address the core problem. The point of transit advocacy isn't to brag about horrible wait times, it is to make it better. And 8 minutes is too long. That is not just my opinion, that is everyone that flames the C, R, and W trains.

[@stevenmarte3117]

Do a vid about the 34th street merge

[@Sam-lh4pw]

The R46s on the Broadway lines are extremely detrimental to the experience (along with most of the broadway trains having to deal with DeKalb)

[@r62aguy85]

Windows seats and putting your foot up on the seats infront alone makes the R46 better experience new trains suck for not having that

[@Sam-lh4pw]

@@r62aguy85 The window seats are really nice especially on the elevated structures and bridges, but we have to deal with the fact that the R46s are reaching the end of the line. 😔

[@alexisdespland4939]

how soon do you think the s subay willl build its 450th station.

[@OSAKOOL1]

I feel like youre nitpicking can’t be mad at wait time, 8 min is not bad compared to the C wait time , 8 min is nothing, and honestly also you need to reconsider the Q and the R train, arguably most useful asides from the L and R you reviewed in this video, it’s like you’re complaining about trains being trains

[@jointransitassociation]

I have taken the CTA, and let me tell you, the Green Line frequencies during the weekends are worse than whatever C train frequencies. Especially if you are taking one of the branches, where they sometimes have 1 hour+ gaps in between trains. So please don't say I don't know what garbage frequencies are, when I taken the CTA for a year. But I don't like doing this, because it promotes "a race to the bottom," where people brag about, oh yeah, my wait times are worse than yours. When was horrible wait times something worthy to brag about? It is simple: if I spend more than 15 percent of the average commute time in a particular city standing at the platform doing nothing, I am going to complain. Because that time can be spent doing much more productive things. And yes, I did factor in usefulness. Even so, the Q and R are trash.

[@jointransitassociation]

Also, I thought trains are supposed to be fast, frequent, and efficient, not slow, infrequent, and inefficient.

[@OSAKOOL1]

@@jointransitassociationthat’s nyc for you, lower your expectations and acknowledge what city you’re in and make it work🤷🏽‍♂️, it ain’t a problem for us

[@jointransitassociation]

@@OSAKOOL1 I'm pretty sure settling for half measures isn't a way to move us forward. Part of the reason that the NYC Subway is so extensive is because subway planners, especially IND planners, wanted the full thing, not blatant half measures. So no, I am not lowering my expectations. And as an NYC resident, I am pretty sure 8 minute frequencies are a problem for almost everyone. If there isn't, the R train won't be on blast 24/7, and there will be no such thing as 6 minute service from the Riders Alliance.

[@deniz2014]

6 MINUTIES ON THE M IS NOT TO BAD IT IS OK

[@Hairysun090]

Bro just hates broadway trains

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

Moskow metro vs new york subway

[@josephrosner905]

9:16 im letting u know that i want that

[@nickberis1249]

Question I thought that the W train was Express from Ditmars Boulevard to Queensboro Plaza?

[@darkgalaxyi_o_l_o_i7831]

That was in the early 2000s but after the Manhattan Bridge construction ended, so did Astoria express.

[@KennethRembertNYC]

The Z train sucks, but still!

[@TheHomicide61]

I agree with you on most of your points but I TOTALLY DISAGREE on your opinion on wait times 6mins are garbage wait times to you. You don't know garbage wait times till you live in the Rockaways A train wait time could be up to 30mins off peek and rush hours 8mins at best

[@jointransitassociation]

I have taken the CTA, and let me tell you, the Green Line frequencies during the weekends are worse than whatever A train frequencies. Especially if you are taking one of the branches, where they sometimes have 1 hour+ gaps in between trains. So please don't say I don't know what garbage frequencies are, when I taken the CTA for a year. But I don't like doing this, because it promotes "a race to the bottom," where people brag about, oh yeah, my wait times are worse than yours. When was horrible wait times something worthy to brag about? It is simple: if I spend more than 15 percent of the average commute time in a particular city standing at the platform doing nothing, I am going to complain. Because that time can be spent doing much more productive things. Ridership is heavily correlated with service, which is why despite the 4th Ave corridor being pretty dense, the ridership does not exceed QBL, where the service is much better. People do not like waiting more than 6 minutes during rush hours, which is why many in Bay Ridge drive. If politicians are serious in combating the climate crisis and reducing the need to drive, make service run better.

[@holdingaverage2565]

why not get rid of the R and send the G to bay ridge

[@E-man5375]

26 lines

[@mmcdonald8110]

Not r142A

[@ECRALSE40LPS]

Orange M useful my ass, this wouldn't have happened if MTA played their cards but they always don't so the Orange M may better than the W but it stil sucks. Does this explain why I had M split into 2 and into 2 fully completed lines. If i would rather ride on J train on weekends and nom-rush hour than M. So ai would pick the J.

[@josephrosner905]

21:29 me personally i would give it a -1/10 bcz of all those reasons

[@KalebIsBack-go2qh]

hi

[@xpdev0]

Deinterline DeKalb

[@Reformperson]

Yup B D: 4th Ave N Q: Brighton That’s the best way to deinterline Dekalb

[@EndIessProductions]

⁠@@ReformpersonD B R 4th*

[@Reformperson]

@@EndIessProductions B: Sea Beach D: Bay Ridge R: West End

[@ECRALSE40LPS]

​@@Reformperson well send the W to Bay Ridge the R would be better off on Fulton Street line cause having the R via west end is not cool if we do this then your making things even more difficult for Express service, now Eastern Pkwy understandable since its very complex to find a perfect way to de interline but Delkab it's something else. Some want the D and Q swap but others the B and N swap. Either swap is good enough.

[@Reformperson]

@@ECRALSE40LPS although Vanshnookenraggen proposed the B and N swap the MTA would lean towards the D and Q swap because they won’t have to operate the B on the weekends and late nights but at the same time that does not go with rider preference. Brighton riders prefer Broadway services which is why I proposed having the N go on Brighton with the Q, and the B on Sea Beach, and the D going to Bay Ridge. If we do send the R on Fulton then we can work with a W on West End as we’re can send the D Trains to Bay Ridge 95 St. we would also have to modify the S curve between City Hall and Cortlandt St for that so work well to ensure the R and W get 30tph combined.

[@fuun17]

I find your accent and intonation very weird, rather too strong, and very uncomfortable to hear. You need to calm down and relax when you talk to your viewers. Also, your voice sounds rather detached to the visual images. Overall, you seem to be hurried to talk to yourself for personal record about NYC Subway rather than to your audience.

[@craigmorris954]

I worked every b m t line when I was a conductor and a motorman

[@Degree413]

First