Starting December 8, New York City subway riders on the F and M lines will experience a major route adjustment. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is implementing a strategic tunnel swap between Manhattan and Queens—a move expected to boost efficiency and shorten travel times for nearly 50,000 daily riders.
The new plan is designed to streamline subway operations by effectively separating express and local train services, reducing bottlenecks that have historically caused frequent delays. Under this change, M trains will begin using the East 63rd Street tunnel, stopping at 21st Street–Queensbridge and Roosevelt Island before heading toward Sixth Avenue. Meanwhile, F trains will be rerouted to the 53rd Street tunnel, sharing tracks with the E line.
The goal is to reduce congestion in critical areas, particularly in Queens. Currently, the simultaneous operation of the F and E lines through the same tunnel often creates chokepoints that affect not only these lines but also the M and R local trains. By moving the F to the 53rd Street tunnel and the M to the 63rd Street tunnel, the MTA expects to separate local from express services, making the system more reliable and less vulnerable to cascading delays.
MTA’s F and M Line Reroute to Cut Delays
According to Allan Foster, MTA’s Director of Rail Network Planning, this realignment will “fully separate local service from express service, making it far less susceptible to delays.” The agency estimates that about 47,000 weekday morning riders could save at least one minute on their commutes—a seemingly small but impactful improvement over time.
Currently, 15–20% of rush-hour trains on the E, M, and R lines face delays at Queens Plaza due to track sharing. The new plan directly targets this long-standing issue, aiming to improve punctuality and overall reliability.
It’s important to note that the F line will revert to its 63rd Street tunnel routing during nights and weekends since the M does not operate along Queens Boulevard during off-peak hours. This ensures service continuity when demand patterns change.
MTA Prepares Riders for F and M Line Changes
To prepare riders, the MTA has committed to clear public communication. Joanna Flores, an MTA spokesperson, said signage at the eight affected stations will be updated ahead of the December 8 transition, and the agency will conduct widespread outreach to inform commuters.
Financially, the new setup will cost the MTA about $1 million annually. Despite the expense, many Queens commuters view the change pragmatically. As one rider, Lou Rodriguez, 44, at Queens Plaza put it: “We always figure it out. There’s always a way. There should be at least three ways to get where you’re going.”
This initiative marks another step in the MTA’s ongoing modernization efforts, ensuring that one of the world’s busiest subway systems remains efficient, flexible, and commuter-friendly.