The historic moment of October 27, 1904, the date when the first underground route section of the New York subway was officially opened, placed it in a broader historical context.
New York Subway A train R62A Line 1 leaves 125th Street Station
Construction and history of the New York subway
In the early 20th century, New York City experienced tremendous urbanization and population growth. Elevated railways have become a major mode of urban transportation, but they bring noise, congestion, and disruption to the cityscape. As a result, the need for a fast, efficient, underground transportation system has become increasingly urgent. This was the impetus behind the birth of the New York subway.
New York Subway A train R160A E enters Crampus Street-World Trade Center/Park Plaza Station
In 1900, the first subway company, IRT, was formed, and the city government approved a dual-contract program that allowed the Brooklyn Transit Company (BRT) and the Interdistrict Rapid Transit Company (IRT) to build subway lines within the city. On October 27, 1904, the first North-South Subway Line was officially opened, connecting City Hall Station and Grand Central Station, and then extending to Times Square and the terminus of Broadway and 145th Street. From this point on, the New York subway began its continuous expansion and extension, culminating in the vast subway system it is today.
Located at the entrance to Times Square
Development of the New York subway
Over time, the New York subway system has become larger and more complex. It today has 472 stations spread across four boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Although the Staten Island Railroad is not part of the New York subway system, riders can use the MetroCard to transfer to subways and buses for free, creating a wider transportation network.
The entrance to the IRT Flushing Line station in Jessentai, Queens
The New York Subway is also known for its size, totaling 236 miles, including operational and non-operational tracks, totaling 850 miles. It is one of the busiest metro systems in the Western Hemisphere and the Western World, carrying hundreds of millions of passengers each year. In 2017, the New York subway carried 1.72 billion passengers, an average of 5.6 million passengers per day. The importance of this system is that it provides uninterrupted transportation services to New York City, allowing the city to continue to function.
New York subway public service cars
The challenges and changes of the New York subway
However, the New York subway also faces some challenges. Hygiene has always been one of them, with poor hygiene on trains, passengers dropping garbage, and noise problems. The subway system also faces security concerns, including criminal cases and violence. These issues reflect urban social and policing challenges that require the joint efforts of governments and local communities.
The 168th Street station track walls were in poor hygiene
Still, the New York subway is an integral part of the city, carrying the daily lives of millions of people and connecting all corners of the city. By looking at the history of the New York subway through time, we can better understand the evolution of this vast transportation system and how it has shaped the face and lifestyle of New York City. It also makes us reflect on the importance of urban mobility and public services, and how to respond to changing urban needs. In the future, the New York subway will continue to evolve and adapt to new challenges, becoming an integral part of the city.
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