What are the underground trains called in New York?

The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system in the New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.



In New York City, the massive underground rail system is officially known as the New York City Subway, and the individual vehicles are simply called subway trains. Unlike London, where the system is colloquially known as "The Tube," or Washington D.C., where it is called "The Metro," New Yorkers almost exclusively use the term "Subway." You might also hear residents refer to specific lines by their letter or number—such as "taking the L" or "hopping on the 4 train." Historically, the system was a collection of private companies (the IRT, BMT, and IND), and while those names are mostly gone, they still dictate the "A Division" (numbered) and "B Division" (lettered) sizing of the cars. In 2026, the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) manages the entire network. While "the train" is the most common casual shorthand, "Subway" remains the definitive identifier. Interestingly, while most of the system is underground, about 40% of the tracks are actually elevated or at grade, yet the name "Subway" is applied universally to the entire 665-mile network.

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The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system that serves four of the five boroughs of New York City, New York: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

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In the context of transit in New York, the Brown Line may refer to: Either of the New York City Subway services that use the BMT Nassau Street Line and its branches: J Nassau Street Local. Z Nassau Street Express.

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Maneuver Manhattan's train system like a local Here, Archer Hotel New York's consummate host offers timely tips on navigating the New York City subway (aka train) system like a boss. LOCAL TIP: New Yorkers typically call the subway “trains” (not underground or metro) or by their alpha name (the C or the Q).

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The busiest train in New York City is the 4, 5, 6 line, also known as the Lexington Avenue Line. This line serves Manhattans East Side and connects with various other subway lines throughout the city. It is often crowded during rush hours and is known for its high ridership. How useful is the NYC subway?

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For New York, I have mostly seen subway, for DC it's metro, for Boston and Pittsburgh it's the T, for Chicago it's the L. In terms of strict dictionary definitions, both terms imply underground trains. Subway is a generic term, but metro is more localized to certain cities.

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The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system in the New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. It is owned by the government of New York City and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, an affiliate agency of the state-run Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

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The London Underground (also known simply as the Underground or by its nickname the Tube) is a rapid transit system serving Greater London and some parts of the adjacent home counties of Buckinghamshire, Essex and Hertfordshire in England.

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The New York City subway is a core part of the infrastructure and transportation in the city. The subway is owned by the city of New York and leased to the New York Transit Authority. It is one of the oldest subway systems and one of the largest in the world, with about 472 stations in operation.

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A major blizzard in 1888, which paralyzed above ground transportation in New York, helped build support for an underground transit system. Several years later in 1900, construction began on a subterranean train line, and in just four years New York's first official subway line had been completed.

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Frequently shortened to simply New York, NY, or NYC, New York City is also known as The City in some parts of the Eastern United States, in particular, New York State and surrounding U.S. states. New Yorkers also use The City to refer specifically to the borough of Manhattan.

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New York. People who live in New York are called New Yorkers and Empire Staters.

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streetcar, also called tram or trolley, vehicle that runs on track laid in the streets, operated usually in single units and usually driven by electric motor. streetcar. See all media. Category: Science & Tech. also called: tram or trolley.

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You can use cash, credit, or debit cards to make your purchase. New York City subway fares are $2.75 per trip. For visitors staying more than a couple of days you can buy a one week unlimited MetroCard for $33 or an unlimited monthly MetroCard for $127.00.

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