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Template:Short description Template:Good article Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox NYCS service

The B Sixth Avenue Express[1] is a rapid transit service in the B Division of the New York City Subway. Its route emblem, or "bullet", is colored Template:NYCS const, since it uses the IND Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan.[2] Mt. Eden Ave

The B operates only on weekdays between Brighton Beach in Brooklyn and 145th Street in Harlem, Manhattan, making express stops in Brooklyn along the BMT Brighton Line and in Manhattan Mt. Eden Ave along Sixth Avenue, and makes local stops along Central Park West. During rush hours, the B is extended beyond 145th Street to and from Bedford Park Boulevard in the Bronx, making local stops along Grand Concourse.

Prior to Template:End date the B ran almost exclusively in Manhattan, as the BB, from 168th Street in Washington Heights during rush hours to 34th Street–Herald Square in Midtown Manhattan. Upon the opening of the Chrystie Street Connection, the B started running via the BMT West End Line (local) and BMT Fourth Avenue Line (express) in Brooklyn. A short-lived Template:NYCS const B service ran via the BMT Broadway Line in Manhattan Mt. Eden Ave and the BMT West End Line in Brooklyn from 1986 to 1988 due to Manhattan Bridge renovation, while Template:NYCS const B service traveled the pre-1967 route between 168th and 34th Streets. After 1989, the B north of 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center used the IND Eighth Avenue Line to 168th Street on weekdays, and the IND 63rd Street Line on evenings and weekends. Late night service ran as a shuttle on the West End Line. Weekday service was rerouted to the Concourse Line in 1998, while off-peak service along 63rd Street ceased in 2000. The B started using the Brighton Line in 2004 after work on the north side of the Mount Eden Manhattan Bridge was completed.

Mt. Eden Ave[]

Template:Stack Template:Stack The designation B was originally intended for express trains originating from the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan Mt. Eden Ave and operating in Midtown Manhattan Mt. Eden Ave on the IND Sixth Avenue Line. However, the original B service, beginning with the opening of the Sixth Avenue Line on December 15, 1940, ran as a rush-hour only local service between 168th Street–Washington Heights and 34th Street–Herald Square. This service was designated BB, conforming with the Independent Subway System (IND) convention using double letters to indicate local services.[3]

Mount Eden[]

File:B Train (1967-1979).svg
1967–1979 bullet

The Chrystie Street Connection and the express tracks of the Sixth Avenue Line opened on November 26, 1967, radically changing service. BB trains were combined with the former T service, which ran on the BMT West End Line in Brooklyn and the BMT Broadway Line in Manhattan. Mt. Eden Ave This created a through service from 168th Street to Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue via the Sixth Avenue Line express tracks and the Mount Eden Manhattan Bridge.[4] During middays, service to and from Brooklyn terminated at West 4th Street. During late night hours and Sundays when B service did not operate, TT shuttles continued to operate on the West End Line.[5] On July 1, 1968, the B was rerouted to terminate at 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan during middays and evenings, extending to 168th Street only during rush hours. The West End Line shuttles were also made part of the B route.[6]

On June 1, 1976, the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) announced changes in subway service that were expected to save $12.6 million annually and were the third phase of the agency's plan to realign subway service to better reflect ridership patterns and reduced ridership. As part of the changes, which took effect on August 30, 1976, B service began running between 57th Street and Coney Island during all times, replacing K service, and alternate B trains commenced operating between 168th Street and Coney Island during rush hours.[7][8] On December 14, 1976, the NYCTA announced severe cuts in bus and subway service in order to cut its budget by $30 million over the following 18 months in order to achieve a balanced budget, at the request of the Emergency Financial Control Board.[9] As part of the cuts, late night B service was cut back to running as a shuttle between 36th Street and Coney Island via the Mt. Eden Ave Line. This change took effect on August 27, 1977. Initially, the 57th Street station was to be closed during late nights.[10] However, a B shuttle also operated during late nights, running between 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center and 57th Street.[11][12][13]

The NYCTA approved four changes in subway service on April 27, 1981, including an increase in B service. The changes were made as part of the $1 million, two-year Rapid Transit Sufficiency Study, and were expected to take place as early as 1982, following public hearings and approval by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board. As part of the changes, midday B service was going to be increased, replacing AA service. B service on the West End Line and Fourth Avenue Line express was to be supplemented by a new rush hour T train, running between Bay Parkway and Chambers Street on the Nassau Street Line.[14]

On June 1, 1983, the NYCTA proposed changes to increase service along Sixth Avenue and better connecting the line to the Bronx and Queens. As part of the changes, B train service would run to 168th Street at all times, with service to 57th Street during non-rush hours replaced by a new H train running between 57th Street and World Trade Center. With the extension of B service to 168th Street, AA service would be eliminated. The changes would have gone into effect in spring or summer 1984, pending approval by the MTA board.[15]


File:NYCS-bull-trans-B yellow.svg
File:NYCS-bull-trans-Bd yellow.svg
1986–1988 bullets for BMT Broadway Line service; the diamond was for rush-hour service (peak-direction express) to Astoria–Ditmars Boulevard.

Mount Eden Bridge reconstruction (1986 to 2004)[]

1980s[]

The reconstruction of the Mount Eden Manhattan Bridge between 1986 and 2004 affected B service as the bridge's north side tracks, which led to the Sixth Avenue Line, were closed multiple times. These closures severed the connection between the northern and southern portions of the route. B service was split into two different services starting on April 26, 1986, with an expected completion date of October 26, 1986.[16] The closure of the bridge's north side tracks caused the return of pre-November 1967 service patterns, before the opening of the Chrystie Street Connection: The orange B duplicated the former BB service, and the yellow B imitated the old T service.[17] The northern B service ran via Sixth Avenue, using an orange bullet, between 34th Street-Herald Square and 168th Street during rush hours only. The southern B service ran via the bridge and BMT Mt. Eden Ave Line, using a yellow bullet. It ran from Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue and terminated at Astoria–Ditmars Boulevard rush hours, Queensboro Plaza middays, evenings and weekends and 36th Street late nights as a shuttle. Service to 57th Street and Grand Street was replaced by an S shuttle running between these two points, running via the Sixth Avenue local.[16] On May 24, 1987, evening and weekend Broadway Line B service was cut back from Queensboro Plaza to 57th Street–Seventh Avenue.[18]

Through B service on the Sixth Avenue Line resumed December 11, 1988, when the Manhattan Bridge's north side tracks reopened. Due to increased demand for Sixth Avenue service along Central Park West, B trains were extended local to 168th Street on middays and evenings, partially replacing the discontinued K service.[19]Template:Rp During late nights, the B continued to operate as the West End Shuttle from 36th Street to Coney Island. B service operated to 57th Street during weekends and N service was increased to replace B service to Ditmars Boulevard.[20][21]

File:Northbound R68 B train at Kings Hwy.jpg

A Manhattan-bound B train of R68s at Kings Highway

With the opening of the IND 63rd Street Line on October 29, 1989, B service was extended from 57th Street to 21st Street–Queensbridge on weekends.[22][23][24] On September 30, 1990, evening service was rerouted to 21st Street–Queensbridge to replace Q service with A service running local between 145th and 168th Streets in its place. B trains stopped operating between 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center and 168th Street between 8:15 p.m. and 6:45 a.m., saving the NYCTA $1.35 million annually.[25] Also on this date, because N service resumed running via the Manhattan Bridge, B trains began skipping DeKalb Avenue.[26][27]

1990s[]

The north side of the Manhattan Bridge closed on middays and weekends from April 30, 1995 until November 12, 1995,[28] during which B trains ran only between Pacific Street and Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue, running local on the BMT West End Line and express on the BMT Fourth Avenue Line.[29]

From February 22, 1998 to May 22, 1999, B service was cut to 57th Street on evenings and weekends due to track and tunnel reconstruction of the IND 63rd Street Line. Service on that line was replaced by a shuttle to the BMT Broadway Line which ran every 20 minutes.[30][31] The 57th Street station was closed from 12:30 to 6 a.m. daily during the project.[32] The project had initially been slated to be completed in fall 1999,[33] but normal service resumed in May 1999, ahead of schedule.[31]

File:NYCS-bull-trans-Bd-Std.svg
1979-1988, 1998-2005 rush-hour service bullet

The B and the C switched northern terminals on March 1, 1998, ending the connection between the B and Washington Heights. The B was routed onto the IND Concourse Line to Bedford Park Boulevard during rush hours. Midday service terminated at 145th Street.[34][35] The change was made to reduce crowding on the C and to reduce passenger confusion about the C's route.[36]

2000s[]

In 2000, B service was taken off of the IND 63rd Street Line for signal and track work. It ran along Central Park West to 145th Street (terminating at Bedford Park Boulevard during rush hours) at all times except late nights.[37]

On July 22, 2001, the Manhattan Bridge's north side tracks closed and B service over the Manhattan Bridge was split into two services once again, similar to the 1986 changes. This time, the southern half of the route, which ran via the Broadway Line, was named the W. B service ran weekdays only, from 34th Street to Bedford Park Boulevard during rush hours and from 34th Street to 145th Street during middays and evenings.[38][39][40]

The Manhattan Bridge was fully reopened to subway service on February 22, 2004. B trains were once again extended through Grand Street station and over the bridge's north tracks into Brooklyn. Now service operated between Brighton Beach and Bedford Park Boulevard during rush hours and Brighton Beach and 145th Street on weekday middays and evenings. The B now served the BMT Brighton Line in Brooklyn as the express (replacing the <Q>), instead of the West End Line which it had served in some form since 1967, to combine two weekday-only services.[41][42][43][44] Instead, the D train served the West End Line, running express on the 4th Av Line in Brooklyn.

2004 to present[]

From September 14, 2009 to October 3, 2011, B trains ran local in Brooklyn due to station renovations on the Brighton Line.[45][46][47]

In July 2019, the MTA introduced a proposal to end late evening service.[48] Instead, B service would end around 9:30 PM, which it previously did prior to July 2008.[49] In their proposal, the MTA noted that service often ended early on weeknights to accommodate planned work.[48]

From March 2020 to June 8, 2020, the B was temporarily suspended due to lack of ridership and train crew availability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[50][51][52][53] From December 30, 2021,[54][55] to January 19, 2022, B service was again suspended due to a shortage of crew members exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.[56]

Template:Clear left

Route[]

Service pattern[]

The following table shows the lines used by the B, with shaded boxes indicating the route at the specified times:[57]

Line From To Tracks Times
week­days rush hours
IND Concourse Line Bedford Park Boulevard 155th Street local    
145th Street all  
IND Eighth Avenue Line 135th Street 59th Street–Columbus Circle local
IND Sixth Avenue Line Seventh Avenue/53rd Street Broadway–Lafayette Street express
Chrystie Street Connection Grand Street all
Manhattan Bridge north
BMT Brighton Line DeKalb Avenue Brighton Beach express

Stations[]

For a more detailed station listing, see the articles on the lines listed above.[1]

Station service legend
Black dot Stops all times
Period dot Stops all times except late nights
Circle dot Stops weekdays only
Half dot Stops all times except rush hours in the peak direction
Black diamond Stops rush hours only
Gray dot Station closed
File:Rushpeak Stops weekdays in the peak direction only
B service Stations Handicapped/disabled access Subway transfers Connections/Other Notes
The Bronx
Concourse Line
Stops rush hours only Bedford Park Boulevard Handicapped/disabled access B

  D

Stops rush hours only Kingsbridge Road Handicapped/disabled access B

  D

Some northbound a.m. rush hour trips terminate at this station
Stops rush hours only Fordham Road B

  D

Bx12 Select Bus Service
Stops rush hours only 182nd–183rd Streets B

  D  

Skipped by trains terminating at Kingsbridge Road
Stops rush hours only Tremont Avenue B

  D

Mt. Eden Avenue
Stops rush hours only 174th–175th Streets B

  D  

Mt. Eden Avenue
Stops rush hours only 170th Street B

  D  

Stops rush hours only 167th Street B

  D  

Stops rush hours only 161st Street–Yankee Stadium Handicapped/disabled access B

  D  
4  Stops all times (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)

Bx6 Select Bus Service
Mt. Eden Avenue
Stops rush hours only 155th Street B

  D  

Stops weekdays only 145th Street B

  D
A C   (IND Eighth Avenue Line)

Northern terminal for all midday and evening trains
Eighth Avenue Line
Stops weekdays only 135th Street Template:NYCS Eighth center local day
Stops weekdays only 125th Street Handicapped/disabled access A B

  C   D

M60 Select Bus Service to LaGuardia Airport
Stops weekdays only 116th Street Template:NYCS Eighth center local day
Stops weekdays only Cathedral Parkway–110th Street Template:NYCS Eighth center local day
Stops weekdays only 103rd Street Template:NYCS Eighth center local day
Stops weekdays only 96th Street Template:NYCS Eighth center local day
Stops weekdays only 86th Street Template:NYCS Eighth center local day M86 Select Bus Service
Stops weekdays only 81st Street–Museum of Natural History Template:NYCS Eighth center local day M79 Select Bus Service
Stops weekdays only 72nd Street Template:NYCS Eighth center local day
Stops weekdays only 59th Street–Columbus Circle Handicapped/disabled access A B

  C   D
Template:NYCS Broadway-Seventh local day (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)

Sixth Avenue Line
Stops weekdays only Seventh Avenue/53rd Street Template:NYCS Sixth 53rd
E (IND Queens Boulevard Line)
Stops weekdays only 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center Handicapped/disabled access B

  D F ''M  

Stops weekdays only 42nd Street–Bryant Park File:Aiga elevator.svg B

  D F ''M  
Template:NYCS Flushing south (IRT Flushing Line at Fifth Avenue)
1 2 3   (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line at Times Square–42nd Street, daytime only)
N Q R   W   (BMT Broadway Line at Times Square–42nd Street, daytime only)
S   (42nd Street Shuttle at Times Square–42nd Street, daytime only)
A C    E (IND Eighth Avenue Line at 42nd Street–Port Authority Bus Terminal, daytime only)

Stops weekdays only 34th Street–Herald Square Handicapped/disabled access B

  D F ''M  
N Q R   W   (BMT Broadway Line)

M34 / M34A Select Bus Service
PATH at 33rd Street
Amtrak, LIRR, NJ Transit at Pennsylvania Station
Stops weekdays only West Fourth Street–Washington Square Handicapped/disabled access B

  D F ''M  
A C    E (IND Eighth Avenue Line)

PATH at 9th Street
Stops weekdays only Broadway–Lafayette Street Handicapped/disabled access B

  D F ''M  
Template:NYCS Lexington local day (IRT Lexington Avenue Line at Bleecker Street)

Chrystie Street Branch
Stops weekdays only Grand Street B  D
Brooklyn
Brighton Line
Stops weekdays only DeKalb Avenue Handicapped/disabled access Template:NYCS DeKalb day
Stops weekdays only Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center Handicapped/disabled access B

  Q
Template:NYCS Fourth center (BMT Fourth Avenue Line)
2 3   4 5   (IRT Eastern Parkway Line)

LIRR Atlantic Branch at Atlantic Terminal
Stops weekdays only Seventh Avenue/Flatbush Avenue B

  Q

Stops weekdays only Prospect Park Handicapped/disabled access B

  Q
S (BMT Franklin Avenue Line)

Stops weekdays only Church Avenue B

  Q

Stops weekdays only Newkirk Plaza B

  Q

Stops weekdays only Kings Highway Handicapped/disabled access B

  Q

B82 Select Bus Service
Stops weekdays only Sheepshead Bay B

  Q

Stops weekdays only Brighton Beach B

  Q

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Template:NYCS const
  2. Line Colors. mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
  3. "The New Subway Routes", December 15, 1940.
  4. New Subway Routes Brochure. New York City Transit Authority (November 1967).
  5. New York City Subway Map and Guide 1967. New York City Transit Authority (1967).
  6. Hofmann, Paul. "Skip-Stop Subway Begins Run Today – KK Line Links 3 Boroughs – Other Routes Changed", July 1, 1968.
  7. Service Adjustment on BMT and IND Lines Effective 1 A.M. Monday, Aug. 30 (October 23, 2016).
  8. Raftery, Thomas. "Some Lines Derailed In Plan for Subway", New York Daily News, June 2, 1976.
  9. "TA Cuts Subway, Bus Service Jan. 1", New York Daily News, December 15, 1976.
  10. "Angry Riders Blast TA Cuts", New York Daily News, January 6, 1977.
  11. Service Adjustments on the BMT and IND Lines Effective Midnight, Saturday, August 27 New York City Transit Authority (1977) (June 9, 2016).
  12. "Still Take The A Train", New York Daily News, December 15, 1976.
  13. McFadden, William. "Night Service Subway Cuts Start Sunday", New York Daily News, August 22, 1977.
  14. Edmons, Richard. "TA approves four route changes. 2-year subway study affects only the IND/BMT division", New York Daily News, April 28, 1981.
  15. Harney, James. "TA eyes big Sixth Ave. beef-up", New York Daily News, June 2, 1983.
  16. 16.0 16.1 (April 1986) Washington Heights, Central Park West And Grand Concourse Riders Your Guide To Service Changes On The B D During Rehabilitation Work April 26 Through October 26, 1986. New York City Transit Authority. 
  17. If You Ride These Subway Lines, You Know Something Drastic Has To Be Done.. New York City Transit Authority (1986).
  18. Announcing Service Changes On The N and R Routes Beginning May 24, 1987 New Routes Mean Better Service. New York City Transit Authority (May 1987).
  19. (1989) Annual Report on ... Rapid Routes Schedules and Service Planning (in en). New York City Transit Authority. 
  20. System-Wide Changes In Subway Service Effective Sunday, December 11, 1988 (June 17, 2016).
  21. Johnson, Kirk. "Big Changes For Subways Are to Begin", December 9, 1988.
  22. October 29, 1989 Subway Map (en-us). New York City Transit Authority (October 1989).
  23. "Announcing New Subway Service Between Queens And Manhattan. Starting Sunday, October 29, 1989.", New York Daily News, October 24, 1989.
  24. (October 1989) Introducing the new 63 Street Extension Opening 29, 1989. New York City Transit Authority. 
  25. Siegel, Joel. "We will be missing some trains, sez TA", New York Daily News, September 28, 1990.
  26. Service Changes September 30, 1990. New York City Transit Authority (September 30, 1990).
  27. September 30, 1990 Subway Map (en-us). New York City Transit Authority (September 1990).
  28. Belluck, Pam. "For Riders, A Bright Spot Amid Tumult", The New York Times, November 13, 1995. (in en-US)
  29. Ronald Sullivan. "Bridge Repairs to Disrupt Off-Peak Subway Service", March 26, 1995.
  30. 63rd Street Shuttle Timetable Effective February 1998. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (February 1998).
  31. 31.0 31.1 May 1999 Subway Map. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (May 1999).
  32. B Line Av of Americas (6 Av) Express. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (February 1998).
  33. (February 1998) B Q All Times Service to Lexington Av/63 St, Roosevelt Island, 21 St/Queensbridge replaced by special shuttle February 22 to Fall '99. New York City Transit. 
  34. March 1, 1998 B C Routes are switching places above 145 St. New York City Transit (March 1998).
  35. "The B and C routes will switch places above 145th Street beginning March 1", New York Daily News, February 23, 1998.
  36. "Changes in B & C service", New York Daily News, February 24, 1998.
  37. Weekly Subway Service Advisories Updated Nov 9, 2000. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (November 9, 2000).
  38. Manhattan Bridge Service Changed B D Q <Q> W. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (July 2001).
  39. B D S Manhattan Bridge Service Change Train Timetable. New York City Transit (April 2003).
  40. Manhattan Bridge Service Changes (July 21, 2001).
  41. A Subway Map Remade, in Hopes of Matching Routes and Riders. The New York Times (February 20, 2004).
  42. B D M N Q R W Weekday Service Manhattan Bridge Map. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (February 2004).
  43. MTA NYC Transit Manhattan Bridge Information. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (February 5, 2004).
  44. More Service on the Manhattan Bridge B D M N Q R W New Subway Service! February 22, 2004. New York City Transit (2003).
  45. B Train Timetable. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (January 18, 2010).
  46. B Express Service Returns to the Brighton Line. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (September 30, 2011).
  47. Template:Cite journal
  48. 48.0 48.1 July 2019 NYC Transit/MTA Bus Committee Meeting (July 22, 2019).
  49. MTA | Press Release | NYC Transit | Service Adjustments on BMW Lines (July 24, 2008).
  50. Guse, Clayton (March 24, 2020). Coronavirus forces MTA to implement big cuts to NYC's mass transit.
  51. Martinez, Jose. "Subway Service Slowly Gets Back On Track As Transit Workers Return", The City, April 28, 2020.
  52. Bascome, Erik (June 2, 2020). Full service on MTA buses, subways set to return by June 8.
  53. Siff, Andrew (June 5, 2020). MTA Resumes Regular Weekday Service; Overnight 4-Hour Closure Stays.
  54. York, NBC New (December 28, 2021). COVID Staffing Crush Forces NYC Subway Suspensions, NJ Transit Cancellations.
  55. MTA subway lines suspended due to COVID staff shortages (December 30, 2021).
  56. 4 Major Subway Lines to Resume Regular Service as Omicron Staffing Havoc Ebbs (January 18, 2022).
  57. Template:NYCS const

External links[]

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