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Weekday FM Subway Route Swap Takes Effect to Ease Queens Bottleneck

Officials say the reroute removes Queens Plaza track conflicts to improve reliability for more than 1 million riders.

Overview

  • The swap is now in effect on weekdays roughly 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with service reverting to the prior routings overnight and on weekends.
  • F trains now serve Queens Plaza, Court Sq–23 St, Lexington Av/53 St and 5 Av/53 St, while M trains now serve 21 St–Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island, Lexington Av/63 St and 57 St.
  • Peak-hour service on the M is increasing, and Queens service patterns remain the same with the F running express and the M running local during daytime hours.
  • Transfer guidance has shifted, including using 34 St–Herald Sq to move between the F and M and using Jackson Hts–Roosevelt Av for M–E/R connections and for F–R transfers alongside 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Ctr.
  • Riders reported confusion on day one, particularly on Roosevelt Island, and early delays were reported on the F and E due to a switch issue at Fifth Av/53 St that led to crowding at Jackson Hts–Roosevelt Av.