42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (IND 8th Avenue)
  
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Transfer here to: IRT Flushing Line, BMT Broadway Subway, IRT West Side Line, IRT Times Square-Grand Central Shuttle
42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal Station · Opened 9/10/1932Express station with four tracks and two island platforms
in use; abandoned lower level with one track and one side platform on
the downtown side. The Times Square/42nd Street complex is the
busiest in the system and consequently the platforms here are extra
wide to accommodate passenger volume. In order to fit the wider
platforms, they are offset from north to south; the southbound
platform extends between 40th and 42nd Sts. and the northbound between
42nd and 44th Sts., approximately. The mezzanine of this station
extends from 40th to 44th Street. Ramps are in place for access to
the mezzanine, which is somewhat unique in that there are retail
stores within the fare control (including a record store), as well as
various NYCT offices. The tile color is dark purple with black border
and there is no IND-style tile name tablet.
Some relative depths of stations in the Times Square
complex are as follows, +/- 10 feet.
- 7th Ave./West Side IRT, 40 feet below street
- Flushing/#7 IRT, 60 feet below street
- Broadway BMT, 50 feet below street
- Shuttle, 20 feet below street
- 8th Ave. IND, 30 feet below street
In addition to the platforms described above, there is an
abandoned lower platform on the southbound side (one track, underneath
the downtown local track on the upper level, and one side platform
underneath the island platform above). The lower level platform was
built along with the rest of the station in 1932, but it was only used
from 1959 to 1981 for odd services like the Aqueduct Racetrack special
fare trains, and for rush hour E trains for a period during the
1970s. For many years, a crossunder was open between the upper level
platforms using a passageway at the northern end of the lower
level. Rearrangement of the mezzanine a few years ago allowed
passengers to crossover using the mezzanine within the fare control.
It isn't really clear why this lower level was even
built. It can only be used by trains running from Queens via 53rd
Street (today's E service). Heading downtown on the track from the
lower level of 50th Street, switches allow access to the downtown
local, downtown express, or lower level of 42nd St. Departing 42nd
Street on the lower level, trains can become local or express prior to
entering 34th Street; however, trains departing 42nd Street on the
upper level cannot cross over until reaching Canal Street. It is
likely, therefore, that the extra platform was built to allow some
operational flexibility, by permitting trains from 53rd Street to have
access to both downtown local and express. Perhaps there was no other
suitable location for a crossover switch, or it was thought an extra
platform face could allow increased dwell time or time for switches to
line up.
An oft-repeated story offers this as a reason the lower
level was built: The Independent subway was being built by the city to
compete directly with routes owned by the IRT and BMT companies. The
#7 crosstown IRT line terminates at Times Square; it is said that the
bumper blocks of the #7 are directly against or very close to the
eastern wall of the lower level of the 42nd St. IND station. The
construction of the lower level therefore blocked any potential
extension of the #7 line to the west side of Manhattan. If this is
true, it would have been done only in the spirit of crushing the
competition, for the IND had no plans to construct a competing
crosstown line.
In 1998 and 1999 all but one remaining entrance to the
lower level was sealed (the remaining one is under a lift-up trap door
at the south end of the southbound platform). A report in the
September, 1999 Bulletin of the New York Division ERA reports
that the lower level track D-3 from north of 42nd St. all the way to
34th St. is now permanently out of service. Occasionally the
existance of the lower level is mentioned as an excuse for why the IRT
#7 cannot be extended westward; this new development now renders the
lower level useless and it should not pose a problem to run the #7
extension directly through the lower level.
A detailed track
map of this area is available, which shows the lower level track
and switches described above quite clearly.
The Upper Level
(image 85990) (152k, 820x620)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: D reroute
Car: R68 (Westinghouse-Amrail, 1986-1988)
Photo by: Bill E.
Date: 6/1/2008
Viewed (this week/total): 9 / 372
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(image 85737) (272k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: D reroute
Car: R68 (Westinghouse-Amrail, 1986-1988) 2525
Photo by: Leonard Wilson
Date: 5/31/2008
Viewed (this week/total): 23 / 566
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(image 85738) (279k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: C
Car: R38 (St. Louis Car, 1966-1967) 4123
Photo by: Leonard Wilson
Date: 5/31/2008
Viewed (this week/total): 11 / 441
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(image 85757) (217k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: E
Car: R32 (Budd, 1964) 3652
Photo by: Paul Ferbrache
Date: 4/30/2008
Viewed (this week/total): 7 / 264
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(image 81043) (310k, 1044x699)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: C
Car: R32 (Budd, 1964) 3357
Photo by: John Barnes
Date: 2/25/2008
Viewed (this week/total): 16 / 659
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(image 79891) (109k, 840x635)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: A
Car: R38 (St. Louis Car, 1966-1967) 4103
Photo by: Gary Chatterton
Date: 1/22/2008
Viewed (this week/total): 21 / 968
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(image 79890) (123k, 840x635)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: E
Car: R32 (Budd, 1964) 3812
Photo by: Gary Chatterton
Date: 1/22/2008
Viewed (this week/total): 19 / 725
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(image 81005) (219k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: A
Car: R44 (St. Louis Car Co., 1971-73) 5272
Photo by: Zach Summer
Date: 12/18/2007
Viewed (this week/total): 27 / 938
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(image 77945) (211k, 1044x701)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Photo by: David Pirmann
Date: 12/9/2007
Notes: Platform view.
Viewed (this week/total): 12 / 825
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(image 77705) (219k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: A
Car: R44 (St. Louis Car Co., 1971-73)
Photo by: Bill E.
Date: 11/24/2007
Viewed (this week/total): 16 / 1074
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(image 78759) (269k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: C
Car: R32 (Budd, 1964)
Photo by: David-Paul Gerber
Date: 9/8/2007
Viewed (this week/total): 11 / 569
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(image 71159) (79k, 820x620)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: C
Car: R38 (St. Louis Car, 1966-1967) 4050
Photo by: Gary Chatterton
Date: 8/7/2007
Viewed (this week/total): 16 / 1347
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(image 69783) (170k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: Fan Trip
Car: R1 (Independent Subway) (American Car & Foundry, 1930-1931) 381
Photo by: Michael Hodurski
Date: 7/22/2007
Viewed (this week/total): 12 / 1072
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(image 67882) (61k, 660x500)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: C
Car: R32 (Budd, 1964) 3357
Photo by: Jin-Young Yoon
Date: 6/22/2007
Viewed (this week/total): 12 / 1535
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(image 67544) (157k, 820x620)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: A
Car: R44 (St. Louis Car Co., 1971-73) 5327
Photo by: Roberto C. Tobar
Date: 6/18/2007
Viewed (this week/total): 28 / 2222
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(image 67545) (136k, 820x620)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Photo by: Roberto C. Tobar
Date: 6/18/2007
Viewed (this week/total): 29 / 2074
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More Images: 1-16 17-32 33-40
The Lower Level
(image 763) (134k, 1008x672)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Peter Dougherty
Date: 1997
Notes: Wow is this ever one long station: 8 blocks in 10 feet! This station was once used fairly heavily for movie shoots, and to make it seem like "different" stations (depending on the placement of the camera inside the car) different station indicators were applied to the sides of the platform. The movie or TV show for which these modifications were made is unknown. Note, also, that these numbers are in reverse order: "50th St" here would be South of "47th St," which in turn would be South of 42nd Street!
Viewed (this week/total): 55 / 15831
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(image 764) (144k, 1008x672)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Peter Dougherty
Date: 1997
Notes: This passageway and escalator-carcass are about 2/3rds the way down the platform. Note the heavy pall of dust and grime which coats everything.
Viewed (this week/total): 77 / 30727
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(image 765) (117k, 672x1008)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Peter Dougherty
Date: 1997
Notes: Another view of the escalator carcass. Nothing remains of it on the upper-level platform.
Viewed (this week/total): 51 / 13027
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(image 766) (103k, 672x1008)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Peter Dougherty
Date: 1997
Notes: Descending one of several plain-sight staircases from the Southbound platform at 8th Ave/42nd street into another era.
Viewed (this week/total): 33 / 12453
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(image 767) (120k, 1008x672)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Peter Dougherty
Date: 1997
Notes: View of the stairway from lower level platform to the upper level platform. Only the escalator went directly to the mezzanine.
Viewed (this week/total): 34 / 12144
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(image 768) (151k, 1008x672)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Peter Dougherty
Date: 1997
Notes: Looking North, about 200' from the North end of the platform. There is ample evidence that this station is used by New York's homeless, although the "aroma" is far less noxious than in many other public areas of the system! There is also a fairly healthy rodent population on this platform as well. In the foreground is the second of the two remaining fare control gates from the days of the Aqueduct Special.
Viewed (this week/total): 41 / 15804
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(image 769) (138k, 1008x672)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Peter Dougherty
Date: 1997
Notes: Looking South on this debris-strewn platform, located immediately beneath the Southbound 42nd St. station platform. The once-gate-protected door at the left is a maintenance/storage area.
Viewed (this week/total): 50 / 15877
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(image 770) (107k, 1008x672)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Peter Dougherty
Date: 1997
Notes: Looking Southbound along this long-disused platform. The Southbound 8the Ave. local track is immediately above this special track, designated D3 - the same designation as the Southbound E tracks from 53rd St. The Southbound E once stopped at this platform before rising and continuing it's Southward journey, either on track A1 or A3, depending if it was in local or express service. Today the E uses a crossover just North of the station to switch to the 8th Ave local tracks.
Viewed (this week/total): 42 / 14863
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(image 771) (149k, 1008x672)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Peter Dougherty
Date: 1997
Notes: One of two gates; all that remains from the special fare control area used for the Aqueduct Specials (extra-fare trains running racetrack patrons to and from Aqueduct Racetrack station. An old-style TA sign is also another remnant of a long-gone time.
Viewed (this week/total): 31 / 12754
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(image 772) (126k, 1008x672)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Peter Dougherty
Date: 1997
Notes: View of the wall mosaic tile band.
Viewed (this week/total): 24 / 7914
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(image 773) (143k, 1008x672)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Peter Dougherty
Date: 1997
Notes: Close-up of another old-style TA sign. It is believed there was once, long ago, a passageway from the uptown platform to this lower-level platform. This sign would have greeted travelers emerging from this passageway.
Viewed (this week/total): 42 / 11075
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(image 1424) (113k, 1024x616)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Chris Leverett
Date: 11/17/1996
Viewed (this week/total): 12 / 2884
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(image 6341) (152k, 1024x399)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Chris Leverett
Date: 11/17/1996
Viewed (this week/total): 7 / 2050
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(image 6641) (179k, 1024x393)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Chris Leverett
Date: 11/17/1996
Viewed (this week/total): 6 / 1729
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(image 6676) (153k, 1024x592)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Chris Leverett
Date: 11/17/1996
Viewed (this week/total): 5 / 1497
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(image 20200) (241k, 1024x755)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Photo by: Chris Leverett
Date: 11/17/1996
Viewed (this week/total): 8 / 1688
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More Images: 1-16 17-21
Please e-mail comments and questions regarding the lower
level to the photographer, Peter
Dougherty. Photographs of the lower level are © 1996 Peter
Dougherty, and may not be used without the express permission of the
author.
Artwork: Losing My Marbles, Lisa Dinhofer (2003) Artwork: The Commuter's Lament/A Close Shave, Norman B. Colp (1991)
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