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Take The Subway, Avoid Gridlock While United Nations General Assembly Meets

MTA
Updated September 12, 2023 10:45 a.m.

Trains Arriving Every Three Minutes During Rush Hour

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reminds customers to skip the traffic gridlock and take the subway while the United Nations’ 78th session of the General Assembly takes place. Opening on Monday, Sept. 18, the United Nations will host leaders from its 193 member states to address the world’s most pressing issues. New York City Transit (NYCT) customers know the fastest and most convenient way to get around town is by hopping on the subway.

Along the East Side of Manhattan, trains on the lines run a combined every four minutes during the day and every two and a half to three minutes during rush hours and take 15 minutes to travel between 59th Street and Wall Street. During rush hour, the train runs every three minutes along the East Side of Manhattan. 

Trains on the line run every four to five and a half minutes during the day and every two to two and a half minutes during rush hours and take just nine minutes to travel between Times Square and Long Island City’s Vernon-Jackson Station.

Across 53rd Street, trains on the lines run combined every three to four and a half minutes during the day and every two and a half to three minutes during rush hour and take just 18 minutes to travel between Forest Hills and Lexington Avenue.

  • train customers are reminded service is rerouted along the line between 5 Av/53 St in Manhattan and Jackson Hts-Roosevelt Av in Queens to accommodate critical track replacement work.

Trains on the lines combined run every four minutes during the day and every three and a half to four and a half minutes during rush hour, and take just eight minutes to travel between the Herald Square and Canal Street.

“The fastest and safest way to get around the East Side of Manhattan during the United Nations General Assembly is by taking one of the numerous subway lines that provide round the clock service,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “With NYC Transit delivering faster, cleaner and safer service every day, there’s no better time for customers to skip the congested gridlock on the streets and take the train.”

Due to increased security and resulting traffic congestion, customers are advised of multiple bus route service changes. Customers traveling in the area via bus should allow for additional travel time to get to and from their destinations and check the MYmta app for the latest service updates.

The MTA offers customers a variety of ways to receive real-time and planned service change information, as well as 24/7 customer support in their native language.

mta.info – The definitive source for real-time arrival information and service change information for each line or route in the MTA system. Customers can find current statuses on mta.info and upcoming planned service changes using our lookup tool at mta.info/alerts.

MYmta app – Customers who use the comprehensive MYmta smartphone app will see real-time train and bus arrival times and other travel information for all MTA services all in one place. The app is available in the Apple Store and in Google Play Store.

Email & Text Alerts – Customers can sign up for email and SMS alerts tailored to their specific commutes and travel times. They can also sign up for MTA newsletters like The Weekender, a weekly newsletter that covers major weekend planned service changes. Customers can sign up here.

WhatsApp – Riders can chat with NYC Transit via WhatsApp for 24/7 customer assistance. With the help of Google Translate, NYC Transit staff offer real-time customer support in up to 108 languages.

511 – For those who prefer to contact the MTA by telephone, information is available by dialing 511. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the MTA at 511.