Thank Q

Rob Taub   |  

Apr 5, 2019

The #6 train – one block from my home at 96^th Street and Third Avenue – was becoming terribly overcrowded and constantly late.  I had lived on the Upper East Side since 1983, and I was suddenly considering moving to a more central location. 

I work in real estate and media, which requires me to traverse Manhattan multiple times a day, often covering all four corners of the city, which until two years ago was becoming increasingly difficult for me. 

Then the Second Avenue Subway changed my life. 

Originating at 96^th Street and Second Avenue, the entrance to the Q train greets riders with a sign that reads “Excelsior” and leads into a high ceilinged, well lighted, temperature-controlled station.  There’s always an abundance of maintenance workers who clearly take great pride in the station. 

More importantly, the trains run frequently, are rarely overcrowded and deliver me quickly and efficiently to my favorite destinations in what used to be miserable, difficult, unpleasant journeys. 

What was once a painful 40-minute trip to Times Square (I attend theatre regularly) is now 12 – 15 minutes, while a trip to the Village can be done in less than 30 minutes.  Soho?  Chinatown? Little Italy?  Piece of cake.  The Q train runs express to Canal Street in less time than it takes to read the New York Post. 

New Yorkers – myself included — like to complain, so it’s nice to acknowledge something positive that really improves the quality of life in the city.  The Q train makes Hudson Yards an easy trip from the Upper East Side and I’ve also made numerous trips to Brooklyn that otherwise wouldn’t have ever happened. 

For those of you that have never used the subways or gave up prior to the introduction of the Second Avenue line, I urge you to give it a try.  It will help remind you of everything that’s great about New York. 

Excelsior!