Times Square–42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal station

Times Square–42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal station is a major New York City Subway station complex located beneath the iconic Times Square and adjacent to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. It is one of the system's busiest hubs, serving numerous IRT, IND, and BMT services and functioning as a critical interchange for commuters, tourists, and regional bus travelers. The complex's deep, multi-level layout integrates stations originally built by competing entities like the Interborough Rapid Transit Company and the Independent Subway System.

History

The station's origins date to 1904 with the opening of the original IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line station by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company, part of the city's first subway. The IRT 42nd Street Shuttle began operation in 1918, connecting the Grand Central–42nd Street station to this hub. Major expansion occurred in the 1920s with the construction of the IRT Flushing Line station, funded by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company and the city, and the 1930s with the opening of the IND Eighth Avenue Line station under the Independent Subway System. The BMT Broadway Line platforms were integrated later, with significant renovations occurring throughout the late 20th century, including connections built to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and improvements during the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Capital Program.

Station layout

The station is a sprawling, multi-level complex with distinct sections for each line. The upper levels house the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line and the IRT 42nd Street Shuttle, while deeper levels contain the IND Eighth Avenue Line and BMT Broadway Line platforms. The IRT Flushing Line station is located separately under 42nd Street. Key architectural features include long, tiled passageways, prominent control areas near entrances at Broadway and Seventh Avenue, and direct underground connections to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the Times Square pedestrian plaza, and major landmarks like the New Amsterdam Theatre. The complex is partially compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Services

The station is served by a vast array of New York City Subway services, making it a primary transfer point. These include the 1, 2, 3, 7, <7>, N, Q, R, W, and S trains, as well as the A, C, and E trains. This connectivity facilitates travel between Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, with the IRT 42nd Street Shuttle providing a vital crosstown link to Grand Central–42nd Street station.

Adjacent stations

For northbound IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line service, the adjacent station is 50th Street, while southbound trains next stop at 34th Street–Penn Station. On the IND Eighth Avenue Line, adjacent stations are 59th Street–Columbus Circle to the north and 34th Street–Penn Station to the south. For the BMT Broadway Line, the next stations are 49th Street to the north and 34th Street–Herald Square to the south. The IRT Flushing Line station is situated between Fifth Avenue and Grand Central–42nd Street station.

Ridership

The station complex consistently ranks among the busiest in the New York City Subway system. Annual ridership typically exceeds 60 million passengers, reflecting its role as a central interchange for Metropolitan Transportation Authority customers. Its ridership comprises a mix of daily commuters from New Jersey and Long Island via the Port Authority Bus Terminal, tourists visiting Times Square and Broadway theatre, and city residents transferring between lines. Ridership patterns are monitored by the MTA New York City Transit and influence service planning and capital investments.

Category:New York City Subway stations in Manhattan Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Manhattan Category:Times Square Category:Port Authority Bus Terminal