Times Square – 42nd Street: The Crossroads of New York’s Underground World

The Times Square – 42nd Street station is a vast subway station complex located beneath Times Square, in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, New York. It serves as the most important and busiest transfer point in the city’s subway system, connecting numerous lines and facilitating access to one of the world’s most iconic tourist and commercial destinations.

Connections and Services

The Times Square – 42nd Street station is a massive complex that integrates several interconnected stations:

IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue and Shuttle Lines

• This section includes platforms for the local and express lines of Seventh Avenue and the 42nd Street Shuttle.
• It is served by trains from the following services:
  • 1 (red)
  • 2 (red)
  • 3 (red)
  • S (gray – 42nd Street Shuttle)
• The main entrances are located around Times Square, at the intersections of 42nd Street, Broadway, and Seventh Avenue.

BMT Broadway and IRT Flushing Lines

• This part of the complex houses the platforms for the Broadway and Flushing lines.
• It is served by trains from the following services:
  • N (yellow)
  • Q (yellow)
  • R (yellow)
  • W (yellow)
  • 7 (purple)
• Entrances to this section are also prominently located in and around Times Square.

Additionally, an extensive underground passageway connects this complex with the 42nd Street–Port Authority Bus Terminal station of the IND Eighth Avenue Line (A, C, E services), allowing free transfers and creating an unparalleled transportation hub.

Importance and Location

• The station is located directly beneath Times Square, at the intersection of 42nd Street, Broadway, and Seventh Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
• Its strategic location makes it a fundamental access point to key destinations such as:

  • Times Square and Theater District

    • The heart of Broadway theater, with dozens of theaters presenting world-renowned shows.
    • Famous for its huge digital billboards, flagship stores, and restaurants.
    • A central hub for celebrations, especially New Year’s Eve.
    • Multiple tourist attractions like Madame Tussauds.

  • Midtown Manhattan

    • Quick access to Bryant Park and the New York Public Library.
    • Proximity to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
    • Within walking distance of Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

  • Additional Transportation Connections

    • The direct connection to the Port Authority Bus Terminal facilitates regional and intercity travel.
    • Numerous MTA city bus lines converge in the area.

History and Evolution

• The original Times Square (IRT) station was one of the 28 stations inaugurated on October 27, 1904, as part of the city’s first subway.
• The complex has grown exponentially over more than a century, integrating platforms from the former IRT and BMT companies, and later connecting with the IND line.
• It has undergone multiple massive renovations and expansions to handle the growing passenger volume and modernize facilities, including significant improvements in accessibility and signage.

Interesting Facts

• It is consistently the busiest station or station complex in the New York City subway system, handling millions of passengers annually.
• Its location beneath “The Crossroads of the World” makes it a vibrant microcosm of the city, filled with commuters, tourists, and street performers.
• The complex includes the historic 42nd Street Shuttle, which operates on a section of the original track from the first subway.