42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
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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 9/10/1932

Express 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 133334) (304k, 1024x687)
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: R-32 (Budd, 1964) 3840
Photo by: Wilfredo Castillo
Date: 4/25/2012
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 55


(image 133303) (266k, 1024x687)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Photo by: Wilfredo Castillo
Date: 4/25/2012
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 100


(image 130584) (323k, 1044x703)
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: R-46 (Pullman-Standard, 1974-75) 6078
Photo by: Bill E.
Date: 12/24/2011
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 163


(image 132721) (250k, 1024x559)
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: R-32 (Budd, 1964) 3477
Photo by: John Dooley
Date: 12/4/2011
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 75


(image 122203) (388k, 1044x788)
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: 5/17/2011
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 830


(image 122204) (388k, 1044x788)
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: 5/17/2011
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 659


(image 122201) (256k, 1044x788)
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: 5/17/2011
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 1098


(image 122150) (283k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: Work Service
Car: R-33 World's Fair (St. Louis, 1963-64) 9342
Photo by: John Dooley
Date: 3/19/2011
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 540


(image 122151) (310k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Route: Work Service
Car: R-33 World's Fair (St. Louis, 1963-64) 9345
Photo by: John Dooley
Date: 3/19/2011
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 416


(image 128782) (438k, 1044x788)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Photo by: John Dooley
Date: 3/19/2011
Notes: Interlocking tower board at 42nd/8th.
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 999


(image 128783) (352k, 1044x665)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Photo by: John Dooley
Date: 3/19/2011
Notes: Interlocking levers at 42nd/8th.
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 742


(image 120329) (114k, 1024x768)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Photo by: Robbie Rosenfeld
Date: 3/16/2011
Notes: New entrance.
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 1297


(image 120330) (85k, 1024x768)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal
Photo by: Robbie Rosenfeld
Date: 3/16/2011
Notes: New entrance.
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 1220


(image 114507) (217k, 1044x705)
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: R-160B (Kawasaki, 2005-2008) 8722
Photo by: DeAndre Burrell
Date: 5/15/2010
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 566


(image 114506) (204k, 1044x705)
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: R-46 (Pullman-Standard, 1974-75) 6156
Photo by: DeAndre Burrell
Date: 5/15/2010
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 452


(image 101618) (245k, 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: R-160A (Option 1) (Alstom, 2008-2009, 5 car sets) 9372
Photo by: Zach Summer
Date: 5/28/2009
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 1488


More Images: 1-16 17-32 33-48 49-64 65-70

The Lower Level


(image 95468) (118k, 768x1024)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Very end of the platform at south end. This entry and the one on the north end will be sealed up according to the construction supervisor.
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 6315


(image 95469) (32k, 480x360)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Only those with a great memory will remember the escalator at the south end that ran from the lower level platform to the main concourse. Here you see the outline of the escalator and the opening in the ceiling.
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 6414


(image 95470) (42k, 480x360)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Standing inside the newly opened tunnel looking out onto the old platform.
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 6463


(image 95471) (27k, 480x360)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Curious construction writing identifying where the two lines meet.
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 5849


(image 95450) (187k, 1024x768)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Work area.
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 4967


(image 95447) (225k, 1024x768)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Aqueduct special fare control gates still standing.
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 5030


(image 95457) (234k, 1024x768)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Opening in the station wall for the #7.
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 3240


(image 95467) (173k, 1024x768)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Staircase at the south end of platform sealed shut.
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 4928


(image 95466) (118k, 768x1024)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Looking south. Remaining rails are clearly flooded.
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 2627


(image 95465) (117k, 1024x768)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: At about where the first car of the Aqueduct special would sit. This area will be sealed up eventually.
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 4485


(image 95463) (191k, 1024x768)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Excavation dirt piled on the old roadbed.
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 3740


(image 95464) (190k, 1024x768)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Station marking at the south end.
Viewed (this week/total): 0 / 3339


(image 95462) (198k, 1024x768)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Standing on platform you can see where they opened the wall for the new tunnels to the right.
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 3937


(image 95461) (186k, 1024x768)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Looking down the new tunnels under construction in the direction of where # 7 currently ends.
Viewed (this week/total): 2 / 4284


(image 95459) (184k, 1024x768)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: # 7 is going to going across this photo from left to right and right to left.
Viewed (this week/total): 1 / 3644


(image 95460) (207k, 1024x768)
Country: United States
City: New York
System: New York City Transit
Line: IND 8th Avenue
Location: 42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal (Lower Level)
Date: 1/13/2009
Notes: Working in the hole. The # 7 will cross directly over this workers head. He is cutting out beams from the sub sub basement of the Port Authority bus terminal before they bore through.
Viewed (this week/total): 3 / 6820


More Images: 1-16 17-32 33-48 49-64

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)
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/stations?7:2345. (Modified on Mon Sep 18 11:34:20 2006)
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