East 149th Street: A Key Junction in the Bronx

The East 149th Street station is a crucial subway complex located in the South Bronx, New York. It serves as an important transfer point between elevated and underground lines, making it one of the most important and busiest stations in the borough. Its strategic location in the Mott Haven/Melrose area makes it a vital access point for residents and visitors to this dynamic part of the Bronx.

Connections and Services

The East 149th Street station is a complex that combines two distinct but interconnected stations:

East 149th Street (White Plains Road Line)

• This part of the complex is an elevated station on the White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway.
• It is served by trains of the following services:
  • 2 (red)
  • 5 (green)
• Main entrance address: East 149th Street and Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY

East 149th Street (Jerome Avenue Line)

• This part of the complex is an underground station on the Jerome Avenue Line of the New York City Subway.
• It is served by trains of the following service:
  • 4 (green)
• Entrances to this section of the station are located on Grand Concourse, near East 149th Street.

The interconnection between these two stations allows passengers to make convenient transfers between the White Plains Road and Jerome Avenue lines.

Importance and Location

• The station is located near the intersection of East 149th Street and Grand Concourse / Southern Boulevard, in the Mott Haven and Melrose neighborhoods of the South Bronx.
• Its strategic location makes it a key access point to important destinations such as:

  • The Hub / Third Avenue

    • Known as the “Broadway of the Bronx,” it is an important commercial and transit district.
    • Concentration of shops, restaurants, and local businesses.
    • Proximity to Hostos Community College.
    • Lincoln Hospital Farmers Market (seasonal).

  • Near Grand Concourse

    • A historic boulevard with notable architecture.
    • Bronx County Courthouse.
    • Access to administrative offices and borough services.

  • Additional Nearby Attractions

    • Lincoln Medical Center: An important hospital serving the community.
    • Local parks and community spaces.

History and Evolution

• The elevated station (White Plains Road Line) was inaugurated on July 10, 1905, as part of an extension of the original IRT subway.
• The underground station (Jerome Avenue Line) was inaugurated on July 17, 1918.
• The complex has been a fundamental part of the Bronx’s transportation network for over a century and has undergone several renovations.
• The connection between the two stations has been fundamental for mobility within the borough.

Interesting Facts

• The station is one of the busiest in the Bronx, handling a large volume of daily passengers.
• It serves as a crucial gateway to the South Bronx and its vibrant communities.
• It is an example of the combination of elevated and underground infrastructure characteristic of the New York City Subway.