These 2 Subway Lines Will Swap Routes Between Manhattan and Queens: MTA

NEW YORK CITY — The F and M train lines will swap routes between Manhattan and Queens beginning next Monday, according to the MTA.

The route swap, starting on Dec. 8, will reduce the number of track merges between lines in an effort to cut down on subway delays for weekday service from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Late night and weekend service on the two lines will remain unchanged.

M trains will shift to 21st Street–Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island, and East 63rd Street, while F trains will instead use the 53rd Street tunnel alongside the E train.

Since both the F and E run express in Queens, officials say putting them in the same tunnel will ease a small choke point that slows not only those lines but also the local M and R trains.

The route swap will impact eight stations in Manhattan and Queens.

"Running the F via the 53 St line and the M via the 63 St line between Manhattan and Queens will make for faster, less crowded, and more direct trips between the 63 St line and Queens Boulevard local stations," NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said.

Click here to see how your commute will change.