NYC Shuttle Train Routes & Stations

Often marked with an "S" on subway maps, a NYC shuttle subway train is a short subway line that runs from one or more stations to another without branching out into other stations. Shuttle trains are usually not used to connect different boroughs but only to connect two key stations rapidly, particularly in situations where constructing a line to all parts of the borough would simply not be feasible.

In fact, there are three distinct types of shuttles currently in use in New York City; each has a very different function and neighborhood in the city.

The idea of a shuttle service goes back to the early days of the New York subway. During the construction of other lines, some sections of the old lines were isolated from the rest of the network. Instead of throwing them away, the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) converted these now-unused sections into independent shuttle lines. One of the oldest continuously running subway tracks in the city, the 42nd Street Shuttle dates back to the first subway line in New York in 1904.

NYC Shuttle Trains

New York City currently operates three official shuttle services, each identified separately on the subway map.

42nd Street Shuttle (Times Square–Grand Central)

It's the most well-known and most widely used shuttle in the city. It runs from Times Square on the west side to Grand Central Terminal on the east side in 90 seconds to 2 minutes. This shuttle is regularly used by tourists and commuters, and transfers between the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W lines at the Times Square, as well as the 4, 5, 6, 7 lines at the Grand Central Station.

Franklin Avenue Shuttle (Brooklyn)

Running in Brooklyn, the Franklin Avenue Shuttle connects the Franklin Avenue station (where it meets the C line and the Brooklyn-bound 2, 3, 4, 5 trains) to the Prospect Park station, where riders can transfer to the B and Q lines. The shuttle is vital to the residents of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, and other locales wanting to reach other parts of Brooklyn promptly.

Rockaway Park Shuttle (Queens)

The Rockaway Park Shuttle or H train runs from Broad Channel to Rockaway Park-Beach 116th Street in the borough of Queens, New York. It mainly connects the Rockaway peninsula with the A line, which runs into Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.

NYC Shuttle Train Routes and Stations

Each shuttle has a very specific, limited set of stations, which makes them easy to learn once you understand the basic layout.

Stops on the 42nd Street Shuttle

• Times Square–42nd Street
• Grand Central–42nd Street

That's it. Just two stops, making it one of the shortest subway rides in the entire system.

Stops on the Franklin Avenue Shuttle

• Franklin Avenue
• Park Place
• Botanic Garden
• Prospect Park

Stops on the Rockaway Park Shuttle

• Broad Channel
• Rockaway Park–Beach 116th Street

NYC Shuttle Train Schedule and Hours

Shuttle train timing varies depending on which of the three lines you are riding, so it helps to check the specific schedule before you travel.

Weekday Schedule

The 42nd Street Shuttle service is very frequent throughout the day during weekday service, typically every few minutes during the peak commuting hours (approx. 6:30 AMM t9:30 AM4:00 PMAM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM), and slightly less frequent during the midday and evening hours. There are also shuttles on Franklin Avenue and Rockaway Park that operate regular weekday service, but have longer headways (train frequencies) than those on the 42nd Street line.

Weekend and Late-Night Schedule

The 42nd Street Shuttle usually runs on the weekend, late nights, but not as often. The Franklin Avenue Shuttle operates on the weekends too, although late night hours may have reduced frequencies. The Rockaway Park Shuttle operates fairly regular hours, and is the sole direct link between Rockaway and New York City for many residents.

Service Changes and Alerts

Shuttle trains, as with all subway lines, experience planned maintenance, weather-related service interruptions, and service changes from time to time. When traveling late at night or during a large storm, as well as any other time, you should always refer to the official MTA website or app before traveling to find out whether or not shuttle service is available; sometimes, shuttles are replaced by shuttles during track work.

NYC Shuttle Train Map

Understanding where shuttle trains fit on the broader subway map makes navigating the city much easier.

How to Read the Shuttle Map

Official subway maps of the MTA depict shuttles on a separate grey linebuses with an "S" in the grey circle. The gray shuttle line is a different way to indicate a short segment of a route between two points, but it does not represent a full route as the colored lines do. When you're using a digital map or map application, the shuttle trains are normally identified as an individual service from the main numbered/lettered lines.

Connecting Lines at Each Shuttle Station

• Times Square: Connects to the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, and W lines
• Grand Central: Connects to the 4, 5, 6, and 7 lines
• Franklin Avenue: Connects to the C line and nearby 2, 3, 4, 5 service
• Prospect Park: Connects to the B and Q lines
• Broad Channel: Connects to the A line

Fares and MetroCard/OMNY Information

One of the best things about NYC shuttle trains is how simple the fare system is.

How Much Does the Shuttle Cost

The shuttle trains charge the same fare as the subway. There is not a dollar difference between paying for a single subway ride with a MetroCard or by tapping a Metro with a smartwatch or phone,. As or OMNY card at the turnstile as of now, the cost of a single ride is $2.90. Shuttle train rides are free of any extra fees.

Free Transfers and Connections

Generally, there is no need to pay a second fare when transferring from one subway line to another to ride on a shuttle train, provided that you do not stop at a turnstile in the same paid area. For instance, a passenger who transfers from the 7 train to the 42 Shuttle at the Times Square transfer point normally will not be required to buy a new fare as the change of trains will occur inside the station before exiting.

Tips for Riding the NYC Shuttle Train

A few small tips can make your shuttle train experience smoother, especially if you are new to the city.

Best Times to Avoid Crowds

During weekday peak hours (morning and evening), the 42nd Street Shuttle can become quite full, especially between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM, and 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM. When possible, ride during the mid-morning or early afternoon when platforms and trains are not as crowded.

Accessibility Information

Times Square and Grand Central stations on the 42nd Street Shuttle are accessible, and there are elevators at both stations for people with mobility disabilities or those in wheelchairs. The accessibility of all the stations on the Franklin Avenue Shuttle varies—check the MTA's accessibility page before traveling if that matters to you.

FAQs

Is the NYC shuttle train free? 

No, the shuttle train does not come for free. You do not have to pay for a transfer if you switch suburban trains at the same station without using the turnstiles, however.

How long does the 42nd Street Shuttle ride take? 

The times take from approximately 90 seconds to 2 minutes between Times Square and Grand Central, one of the quickest subway trips in the metro area.

Does the shuttle train run 24 hours? 

The 42nd Street Shuttle is not usually on the clock 24 hours a day, and service is usually limited or suspended late at night. The Rockaway Park Shuttle is the only direct service for many Rockaway residents, making it more consistent in running the day and night.

Where does the Franklin Avenue Shuttle go? 

The Franklin Avenue Shuttle is a bus that operates between Franklin Avenue and Prospect Park in Brooklyn, stopping at Park Place and the Botanic Garden.

Is the shuttle train wheelchair accessible? 

The main stations of the 42nd Street Shuttle, Times Square, and Grand Central are accessible with wheeled mobility. The Franklin Avenue and Rockaway Park shuttles are not all accessible at every station, so please check the station ahead of time.