3 (New York City Subway Service) - Service History

Service History

On November 23, 1904, the IRT Lenox Avenue Line opened between 96th Street and 145th Street. 3 trains ran between 145th Street and City Hall, making all stops.

On July 1, 1918, the entire IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line was completed. 3 trains were rerouted south of 42nd Street from the IRT Lexington Avenue Line to this new line. They now made all stops to South Ferry.

Beginning January 4, 1955, 3 trains ran express in Manhattan rush hours and were redirected to Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn during that time.

On February 6, 1959, trains made express stops in Manhattan and ran to Flatbush Avenue whenever they operate (all times except late nights). Over the next 24 years, trains were sent back and forth repeatedly between Flatbush and New Lots Avenue until July 10, 1983, when it was permanently stationed at New Lots Avenue so they could access the Livonia Yard.

On May 13, 1968, trains were extended to the newly completed 148th Street – Lenox Terminal. During late nights and early Sunday mornings, trains ran only as a shuttle between 148th and 135th Streets until 1995, when the shuttle was discontinued (except Sunday mornings) and shuttle buses provided service to Lenox Terminal.

From March to October 1998, the IRT Lenox Avenue Line was rehabilitated. Most 3 service was rerouted to 137th Street – City College.

After September 11, 2001, the 3 service became a local in Manhattan. After a few switching delays at 96th Street, service was changed on September 19, 2001. It ran in Manhattan as an express between Harlem – 148th Street and 14th Street and was replaced by 1 service in Brooklyn. It returned to New Lots Avenue on September 15, 2002.

On July 27, 2008, late night 3 service was restored, operating as an express between 148th Street and Times Square – 42nd Street.

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