The F Train

I have ridden almost every line in Manhattan — and the F train is the worst. It’s always delayed and you end up waiting on the platform for 30 minutes and then boarding a jam packed train — and this occurs 24 hours a day!!! Late night: forget it! Trains run hourly if that. The MTV needs to be abolshed and a new management system needs to come in a clean house and fix the problems.

I personally love the F train, I just don’t love it when it’s local. Everything takes forever! UGH! It’s a pretty clean train for the most part. I usually always get a seat because I take it from 179^th Street. The local train gets you every where so quickly. It’s a pretty popular train so you’ll always have connections to numerous amounts of train. There needs to be come maps, because tourists love this train and do get lost a lot. The digital stops on the new trains are heaven sent and I love them. Very clean train! Doesn’t smell at all.
This train makes all popular stops and gets extremely packed during rush hour both in the morning and night and that’s it.

I see no purpose in reviewing train lines, but I’ve had three great experiences lately and decided to share. I frequent Supreme Queens court house, which is located one block from the Suthphin Blvd F train stop. I always have my headphones on… Which serve their purpose and drown out sound around, but often times, it has a negative aspect… I can’t hear the arriving train or one already in the station.
Over the past month, this has happened to me three times, and all three times the conductor was nice enough to open the door so I could get in. Today, the conductor opened up for a lady and I arrived five seconds later and he still allowed me to get on. Unfortunately, I don’t see this same treatment in my borough of Brooklyn.
I salute you, F train and Queens!

Why is the F train called the «F» train, is something you may have wondered. But if you’ve wondered this, you have not taken the F train during rush hour, on the weekend, or late at night. Because if you have taken the F train during rush hour, on the weekend, or late at night you’ll have said various F-​words in your head countless times, wishing you could scream them out loud every so often.
Years ago I had the displeasure of riding the F from 71^st and Continental to Jay St during early morning rush hour every day. It’d be heavily packed when it arrived that not everyone was able to get on. Usually you wouldn’t be able to get to get a seat until Rockefeller Center. It’d also stop, usually on a slant or weird angle, somewhere between 71^st and Roosevelt, or not to long after passing Roosevelt, due to «train traffic» or some other bull they’ll never really explain to us. Really sucks to be standing on a slanted train with broken intercoms for 10 – 20 minutes at a time. I know they’ve added a lot of newer trains now, not sure how much better they are during rush hour (I have my doubts), but they are missing the only comfort I had on the F train, the nice corner seats, you only had to sit next to one other person and could lean against the wall. They were great.
As for other hell rides on this train, during the weekend they often take long time to come (but it’s usually not too bad) and sometimes go local in Queens which is truely hell. During the late night hours, service is the absolute worst, and the train usually gets stuck multiple times. If you can take the LIRR, you’re far better off doing so.

It’d be nice if the F wasn’t always in the bowels of the universe, or they decided to finally finish the 63&Lex station.
FYI has dup

I take this train every single day to work from Jackson Heights and on the weekends when exploring Manhattan/​Brooklyn. They use mainly the newer train cars which are ok, however I liked the older R46 cars as they had more seats, were roomier and bigger. The train is very fast when getting to midtown. On a good morning, 15 mins to Rockefeller Center from Roosevelt Ave and 20 minutes on the way back. There are always plenty of F trains running so you don’t have to wait more than a few minutes for one. However…
The train is RIDICULOUSLY crowded, even in the off peak hours. Even in the off hours, the train is already standing room only by the time it leaves Forest Hills. I get this train is express in Queens but seeing how the vast majority from midtown get off at Jackson Heights, the M local is generally less crowded and only takes 3 – 4 minutes longer at most (according to the MTA trip planner). Finding room to get on during the morning rush hour is a feat in itself. I sometimes have to wait for 2 or 3 F trains to pass by at Roosevelt Ave before I can even get on to STAND because there is no room to get on. And on the way back, the train is already packed like sardines by the time it hits Rockefeller Center, while the M train whisks in half empty at the same time.
There are also always delays on this line. Usually signal issue, track work, whatever issue, the F will have something up every week so leave early if you depend on this line.

The F train’s route is too long. 118 minutes from 179^th street to Coney Island is the average I have made on the last 17 trips. Without disruptions the total trip time should be 20 minutes less. Non unlimited metro cards can not be used for transfers at the F train end points since the 2 hour transfer time is used up. There are always delays on the shared rail lines. Many homeless use this line due to its long journey length. After 11pm many conductors will slow down the journey from Manhattan to Queens to make sure they do not arrive before the top of the hour so they can collect overtime. The card swipes at 179^th street will deduct 2 fares instead of one if you swipe more than 3 times at the same turnstile. You need to check your non unlimited metrocard amounts before swiping at 179^th street and do not swipe more than 3 times or you will be double charged even at the same turnstile. Go find a booth clerk and ask them to manually open the turnstile for you and check if your three unsuccessful swipes were charged on your card. The F train schedule does not allow for enough trains to accomodate the overflow of illegal service industry workers that pack the F train from 11pm — 1am. They usually board at lexington avenue 63^rd street and even though they are respectful of other riders on the train their backpacks do take up valuable space. It would be advisable to extend the R trains past 71^st avenue to lessen the F train crowds. These R trains end up going to the same yard as the F trains so why not use them for more passengers?

The F train is the inconsistent second-​longest line in the subway system. I live in Queens and I primarily use the E train, though I occasionally use the F. The F train is generally cleaner than the E (though 169 Street and Sutphin Blvd could use some soap and water). It has a weird circuitous route where it runs along the 63^rd Street corridor while bypassing stops like Court Square, Lexington/​53^rd, and 5^th Avenue. Prior to 2001, it ran along the E line and made those stops.
The F train tends to bunch up, particularly in the evening rush hour heading towards Queens. There’s usually a long wait, then a packed F train. A minute later, an empty F train enters the station. The F uses mostly new trains (R160’s). It occassionally uses the larger, older trains (R46’s). I actually prefer the older trains since they have more seats. In addition, the orange seats are more pleasing to the eyes than the sterile interiors of the newer trains.
In addition to Queens and Midtown, the F serves the Village, the Lower East Side, the eastern part of Chinatown, and Brooklyn. I rarely take the F into Brooklyn. I once made the mistake of taking the F to Coney Island. It made a million stops in Brooklyn. Way back in the day (before I was born), it used to run express in Brooklyn, but for whatever reason, it doesn’t do that anymore.
On weekends, they do construction in Queens, which means that the F runs local, which is pure torture. The only good thing is that the F doesn’t have those idiot performers like the E train. A lot of attractive women ride the F, especially around the Village and Park Slope. Overall, however, the F is inconsistent and slow.

Why am I reviewing a train line? Who knows. Anyway…
I frequently take the F train from Herald Square/​Bryant Park to Queens (and vice versa), and holy moly does this train SUCK. There are delays way too often… like WAY too often. I remember once, for almost FOUR days in a row, the train got stuck for 45 minutes + in the same spot. I was coming back from work, thankfully, but if I were going to work…
I hate the F train, but it’s honestly better than the E train.

Seriously bad service. Countless delays each and every night. They should be ashamed to do this to the passengers. The MTA chairperson should be fired for gross mismanagement. I gave it one star only because you don’t have zero stars.

The More Reliable Version of the E Train
There is a mix of old trains and new trains running regularly (mostly new), but I personally prefer the older model since the seating arrangement is slightly more comfortable and adaptable.
There are occasional delays, but nothing significant in comparison to the E train. Performers tend to avoid it as well since the crowds in the F train (specifically during rush hour) are significantly (25%ish) less than the E train.
Don’t underestimate the F trains ability for transfers. If you are heading downtown (let’s say from Queens) you can go from 71sts and Continental to West 4^th Street arriving before the E-​Train, even if the E train left the station before the F train did. Then you can transfer to whichever train you wish, ahead of schedule.
On a side note, the F train does tend to smell better than the E.
On another side note, yes I really hate the E train.

Where do I begin? Endless delays, sparse trains even in rush hour (compared to others like the E), and utterly unreliable during off peak hours. One benefit – if you catch a seat, you can enjoy a good long nap. That is, if the train does not go out of service, change from an express to a local, or decide to make a detour to the G line.
It is so bad at times that you are likely to travel to Queens quicker by taking the 7 express, followed by a bus. That’s pretty sad.
If the F were personified, I would hope to see it hanged, drawn, and quartered. Then each of the four limbs would be positioned at the highest points in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Roosevelt Island, and Queens.
An awful monstrosity.

Generally, I do not commute. I haven’t taken the train since high school which was about 8 years ago. Recently I began working in NYC which forces me to commute. I take the F from 179 to Herald square and I take it back home every day. Many years ago when I used to take this train I remember it never came on time, it was always dirty and the station itself was unkept. Since I’ve been taking it for the past few weeks, I must say that I’ve seen a major improvement. The station itself is much cleaner, trains come frequently and runs efficiently. I guess we can’t get away from the NYC subway being dirty but that is give or take. I find that in the mornings the train always has train traffic and that can be because of a lack of following the correct schedule. Over all, I wouldn’t rate this station terribly as I haven’t had a terrible experience, what I experience is reality it’s just how the entire new York City MTA operates and one station can not be blamed for that.

Are you all seriously grading a subway train ride ?! It’s the SUBWAY cheap — sometimes if lucky you’ll get a cart with a homeless person who’s stench fills up the whole cart, and sometimes those nasty New Yorkers who are in a rush to go nowhere.
Grading a subway line though… — I’ve seen it all

The F and I have gotten to know each other very very well ever since I moved to Forest Hills. It’s by far, the most reliable and fastest way to get into Manhattan from here (though that’s not saying much, considering how terrible the other lines can be). During rush hour, the F can get pretty crowded going from Manhattan to Queens but if you go far enough downtown (past Herald Sq, Rockefeller, and all the major stops), you can get on a fairly empty train. Otherwise, if you can sit it out, the train usually empties out at Jackson/​Roosevelt Ave. On the weekends, the F is usually still fairly reliable. As usual, it’s always best to check the mta website before leaving the house, especially on weekends since that’s when everything breaks. In general, the F is pretty great. On a good day and with a conductor who doesn’t dawdle, you can get from Forest Hills to Manhattan under 40 minutes (I think 30 min was my record). On a bad day, it can take as long as 1.5 hrs. Good thing is, I haven’t had many bad F experiences. The E is a lot worse.

I thought F train ran pretty well before I needed to use it and i would say it’s okay and when it’s bad it’s BAD, F stands for f’d up.
when there’s a sick passenger or signal problem (god knows if it’s true), it moved 4 stops in 40 minutes and it didn’t even reach Forest Hills yet.
It’s packed most of the time… and it’s the only train i got to see healthy men don’t give up their seats for elderly… when there’s a problem, it’s brutal to take this train.
i don’t get why can’t the F run express on the local line during their maintenance weekends.
and it runs so smooth in the city and drag outside of manhattan. it’s like once you leave manhanttan your time is no longer meaningful.

Worst train ever!!! Been taking it for yrs to get to work everyday. F must stand for F’d up. Never on time, dirty, always has an issue… ppl always pull the emergency brakes and get away with it! I cant stand the train… period. Or MTA, for that matter. I have no choice. I have to take this stinkin’ train every AM!!!

Pretty crowded train if you’re going to Coney Island. Stops in Red Hook, LES, Park Slope etc. It’s local in Manhattan and goes all the way to Jamaica, Queens.

Ever since moving to Brooklyn, the F train has been my only possible mode of transport. That and the G, but we all know that the G doesn’t actually count as a train.
After taking the 7 train for 3 years, anything is an improvement. Seriously… anything. But this train is SO CROWDED. I really didn’t think anything could get more crowded than the 7, but the F proves me wrong every single time.
Craving for some B.O. and strange smells? Get satisfied on the F!

REALLY? Reviews for a subway line?
Since it’s here, I’ll have to put in my 2 cents (or stars). Since moving to Queens 16 years ago, I’m dependent on the bus and F to get into Manhattan and it’s a love/​hate relationship. On weekday mornings, I can still get a seat and nap all the way to midtown, but if you try to get on at Roosevelt Ave, learn to be a sardine. On the weekends, it’s really hit or miss, because if you miss your connection, you’re going to hit your head on the steel support column multiple times because you’ll be waiting a while.
Also, since the F is one of the longest lines in the city (1.5 hour ride from Jamaica to Coney Island, according to the MTA Trip Planner), the homeless love to ride it. Are you ready to play «WHAT’S…THAT…SMELL?» or maybe «Hey Brother, Got Any Spare Change?»
If I’m going to pay $ 2.50 a ride after the rate hike, I’d better get service on the level of the Washington DC Metro.