2 Subway Lines In Manhattan To Swap Routes

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Commuters are going to need to learn a new route in December when the F and M train lines swap places between Manhattan and Queens, the MTA said Monday.

According to the MTA, the route swap, which starts Dec. 8, will reduce the number of track merges between lines — one of the biggest causes of subway delays — for weekday service from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

However, for straphangers who rely on the two lines for evening and weekend service, nothing will change, transit officials said.

The change shifts M trains 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.

Leading up to the change in December, the eight stations affected will be fitted with new signs explaining the changes, the MTA said.

Click here to see how your commute will change.

For questions and story ideas, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.