Flushing–Main Street: A Vital Gateway in Queens

The Flushing–Main Street station is a major public transportation complex located in the heart of Flushing, Queens, New York. It serves as the eastern terminus of the Flushing Line of the subway and as a crucial connection point with the Long Island Rail Road and numerous bus routes, making it one of the busiest stations outside of Manhattan. Its strategic location in Downtown Flushing makes it a key access point to one of the most dynamic commercial and cultural centers in Queens.

Connections and Services

The Flushing–Main Street station is an intermodal hub that integrates subway, commuter rail, and bus services:

Flushing–Main Street (Flushing Line)

• This part of the complex is the terminal station of the IRT Flushing Line of the New York City Subway.
• It is served by trains from the following services:
  • 7 (local – purple circle)
  • <7> (express – purple diamond, peak direction rush hours only)
• Main entrance address: Roosevelt Avenue and Main Street, Flushing, NY 11354

Additional Connections (LIRR and Buses)

• Next to the subway station is the Flushing–Main Street station of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), which serves the Port Washington Branch.
• The station is a major MTA bus hub, with numerous routes connecting Flushing to other parts of Queens and Nassau County. Notable routes include:
  • Q44 SBS
  • Q20A/B, Q58, Q19, Q50
• Entrances and bus stops are conveniently located around the intersection of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue.

The proximity between the subway, LIRR, and bus stops allows passengers to make efficient transfers between different modes of transportation.

Importance and Location

• The station is located at the intersection of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue, in the epicenter of Downtown Flushing, Queens.
• Its strategic location makes it a key access point to important destinations such as:

  • Downtown Flushing

    • Known for being one of the largest and most vibrant Chinatowns, with an immense variety of Asian restaurants, shops, markets, and bakeries.
    • Modern shopping centers like The Shops at Skyview Center and New World Mall.
    • A high concentration of banks, professional, and community services.

  • Cultural Institutions and Parks

    • Flushing Town Hall: A historic cultural arts center.
    • Queens Public Library (Flushing Branch): One of the busiest in the system.
    • Access (via bus) to the Queens Botanical Garden and Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

  • Other Points of Interest

    • LIRR Station: Direct connection to Manhattan (Penn Station/Grand Central) and points on Long Island.
    • Extensive commercial area that extends along Main Street and the surrounding streets.

History and Evolution

• The Flushing–Main Street subway station was inaugurated on January 21, 1928, extending the Flushing Line from its previous terminus.
• The station complex underwent a major renovation completed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, improving accessibility (adding elevators) and modernizing the facilities.
• It has continuously served as the eastern terminus of Line 7, adapting to the growing number of passengers and the development of the area.

Interesting Facts

• The station is consistently the most used subway station in the borough of Queens and one of the busiest outside of Manhattan.
• Its location in the heart of Downtown Flushing makes it a vital hub for one of the largest and most diverse Asian-American communities in New York.
• It functions as a fundamental gateway between Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island through its subway, LIRR, and bus connections.