Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced initial ridership figures for the Second Avenue Subway, underscoring the new line’s immediate success in attracting customers and reduced ridership on the crowded Lexington Avenue Line.
Since the line opened on January 1 with three new stations and a new entrance at 63rd Street, ridership has grown steadily by approximately 8,000 daily riders per week, hitting 155,000 daily riders on Friday, January 27th.
“The Second Avenue Subway has already become an integral part of the Upper East Side and these ridership figures show just how important this expansion project is to the neighborhood and our economy,” Governor Cuomo said. “This project is proof that government can still get big things done and these early ridership numbers send a clear message that when we deliver on our promises New Yorkers respond.”
The Second Avenue Subway expansion is part of the Governor Cuomo’s sweeping statewide initiative to redevelop and rebuild New York’s aging infrastructure from the ground up. The comprehensive plan includes a new LaGuardia Airport, a transformational renovation of JFK Airport, completely redesigned Penn Station, the LIRR 2nd and 3rd Track projects, the New New York Bridge, a major expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Center, as well as a complete overhaul and upgrades to the MTA's seven bridges and two tunnels in the metropolitan region.
The ridership includes customers entering and leaving 72nd Street, 86th Street and 96th Street, and the new entrance at 3rd Ave and 63rd Street as well as customers transferring from the 
line to 
line at 63rd Street.
The MTA also released figures for the nearby Lexington Avenue Line, a notoriously crowded line in New York City, which has reduced weekday ridership in four key stations, 68th Street, 77th Street, 86th Street and 96th Street. According to new ridership figures, the number of daily riders entering and exiting the four Upper East Side Lexington Avenue Line Stations declined by an average of 27 percent on weekdays and as much as 46 percent during peak morning rush hours of 8 - 9 a.m., as compared to the same period last year.
“The opening of the Second Avenue Subway was a singular event, and New Yorkers have been quick to embrace the new line, with ridership climbing quickly,” said Ronnie Hakim, MTA interim Executive Director. “The fact that so many daily riders are using the new line has also helped to ease crowding during the morning rush at key stations on the Lexington Avenue line, making commuting easier, faster and better for thousands of New Yorkers.”
Second Avenue Subway Total Ridership: 155,500 riders
Ridership on Jan. 27, based on MetroCard data and surveys conducted manually by New York City Transit personnel:
- 72nd Street: 51,450
- 86th Street: 45,800
- 96th Street: 30,100
- 63rd Street (transferring to and from the F): 28,150
Lexington Avenue Upper East Side Stations: 327,440 riders in 2016; 240,270 riders in 2017
Average ridership during the fourth week of January based on daily entries and exits:
- 68th Street: 65,890 in 2016; 44,700 in 2017
- 77th Street: 74,010 in 2016; 59,560 in 2017
- 86th Street: 132,400 in 2016; 94,750 in 2017
- 96th Street: 55,140 in 2016; 41,260 in 2017
About the Service
The Second Avenue Subway’s train service runs from 96th Street to 86th Street, 72nd Street, and 63rd Street, and continues through Manhattan and into Brooklyn, to Coney Island. The new line features low-vibration track, for a smoother, quieter ride and is designed to help ease crowding on the 
and 
trains of the Lexington Avenue Line, the most crowded subway line in New York.
About the Stations
The bright, spacious new Second Avenue Subway stations feature access for the disabled, climate control features to maximize comfort, high ceilings column-free design for an open, airy atmosphere, vibrant lighting and the largest permanent public art installation in state history.
A two-tiered mezzanine design is a fixture of the new stations and improves the flow of riders, reduces crowding on the platform and enhances the overall subway experience for riders.
There are completely new stations at 96th, 86th and 72nd Streets along Second Avenue, and a new entrance at 63rd Street and Third Avenue allow riders to enter a renovated station for new train service there, including a connection to the existing F line.
New Public Art
The new Second Avenue Subway also features the largest permanent public art installation in New York State history, with dramatic, large-scale works by notable artists at each of the line’s new stations.
Photos of the Second Avenue Subway art are available here; a video featuring the art is available here.
By the Numbers
- Workers excavated 583,600 cubic yards of rock and 460,300 cubic yards of soil, which is more than half the Empire State Building by volume
- Cubic yards of concrete used in construction: 261,038
- Pounds of rebar used in construction: 48.9 million
- Pounds of structural steel used in construction: 40.7 million
- The new line features 35 new escalators, 12 new elevators, and 22 new stairways
- The new line features 200,000 square feet of floor tiles, 130,000 square feet of ceiling tiles, and 692,000 square feet of wall tiles
- Number of doors: 1,014
- Number of light fixtures: 10,264
- Number of floor drains: 712
- Number of plumbing and bathroom fixtures: 264
