View source for 3 (New York City Subway service)

{{short description|Rapid transit service}}
{{for|the former Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation 3 service|T (New York City Subway service)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox NYCS service
| service = 3
| name = Seventh Avenue Express
| image1 = New Lots ShenanigansR62 (3) Train.jpg
| size1 = 250px
| caption1 = A [[New Lots Avenue station (IRT New Lots Line)|New Lots Avenue]] bound 3 train of [[R62 (New York City Subway car)|R62]]s approaching [[Van Siclen Avenue station (IRT New Lots Line)|Van Siclen Avenue]]
| north term = [[Harlem–148th Street (IRT Lenox Avenue Line)|Harlem–148th Street]]
| south term = [[34th Street–Penn Station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|34th Street–Penn Station]] (late nights) <br> [[New Lots Avenue (IRT New Lots Line)|New Lots Avenue]] (all times except late nights)
| stations = 34<br>10 (overnight service)
| note =
| depot = [[Livonia Yard]]
| started = {{start date and age|1904|11|23}}
| map = {{switcher
|{{maplink-road|from=3 (New York City Subway service).map}}
|Show interactive map
|{{3 (New York City Subway service)}}
|Show route diagram
}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}

The '''3 Seventh Avenue Express'''<ref name="timetable">{{NYCS const|timetable|3}}</ref> is a [[rapid transit]] service in the [[A Division (New York City Subway)|A Division]] of the [[New York City Subway]]. Its route emblem, or "bullet", is colored {{NYCS const|color|red}} since it uses the [[IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line]] through most of [[Manhattan]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://web.mta.info/developers/resources/line_colors.htm |title=Mta.info &#124; Line Colors |access-date=March 11, 2015 |archive-date=October 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016104324/http://web.mta.info/developers/resources/line_colors.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 3 operates 24 hours daily, although service patterns vary based on the time of day. Daytime service operates between [[Harlem–148th Street (IRT Lenox Avenue Line)|148th Street]] in [[Harlem, Manhattan]] and [[New Lots Avenue (IRT New Lots Line)|New Lots Avenue]] in [[East New York, Brooklyn]], making express stops in Manhattan (between [[96th Street (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|96th]] and [[Chambers Street (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|Chambers Street]]s) and all stops in [[Brooklyn]]. Overnight service [[short turn]]s at [[34th Street–Penn Station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|34th Street–Penn Station]] in [[Midtown Manhattan]] and does not operate to or from New Lots Avenue.

The 3 train formerly ran to [[City Hall (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)|City Hall]] or [[South Ferry loops|South Ferry]] in [[Manhattan]], and was later rerouted to [[Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College (IRT Nostrand Avenue Line)|Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College]] in [[Brooklyn]]. In 1983, it was rerouted to New Lots Avenue.

== Service history ==

=== Early history ===
<div class="thumb tleft">
{| width="80"
|[[File:R12 IRT 3.gif|64px]]
|-
|<div class="thumbcaption">Rollsign used on the ends of [[R12 (New York City Subway car)|R12]] through [[R36 (New York City Subway car)|R36]] cars</div>
|}
</div>
<div class="thumb tleft">
{| width="80"
|[[File:3 (1967-1979 New York City Subway bullet).svg]]
|-
|<div class="thumbcaption">1967–1979 bullet</div>
|}
</div>

On November 23, 1904, the [[IRT Lenox Avenue Line]] opened between 96th Street and 145th Street. Service ran between [[145th Street (IRT Lenox Avenue Line)|145th Street]] and [[City Hall (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)|City Hall]], making all stops.<ref name="erictb.info">{{Cite web |url=http://www.erictb.info/linehistory.html#3 |title=NYCT Line by Line History |website=erictb.info |access-date=October 23, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100921/http://www.erictb.info/linehistory.html#3 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=erictb.info is not a reliable source.|date=March 2025}}

On July 1, 1918, the entire [[IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line]] was completed. Lenox Avenue service from 145th Street was rerouted south of 42nd Street from the [[IRT Lexington Avenue Line]] to this new line, making all stops to [[South Ferry (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|South Ferry]].<ref name="erictb.info"/>{{Better source needed|reason=erictb.info is not a reliable source.|date=March 2025}}

As of 1934, service operated between 145th Street and South Ferry except late nights, when service operated between 145th Street and 96th Street, making local stops.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}}

The IRT routes were given numbered designations with the introduction of [[List of New York City Subway R-type contracts|"R-type" rolling stock]], which contained [[rollsign|rollsign curtains]] with numbered designations for each service. The first such fleet, the [[R12 (New York City Subway car)|R12]], was put into service in 1948.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Nicole |title=How did the MTA subway lines get their letter or number? NYCurious |website=amNewYork |date=May 17, 2019 |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/nyc-subway-name-1-31116195/ |access-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302020704/https://www.amny.com/transit/nyc-subway-name-1-31116195/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Seventh Avenue–Lenox route became known as the 3.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Friedlander |first1=Alex |last2=Lonto |first2=Arthur |last3=Raudenbush |first3=Henry |date=April 1960 |title=A Summary of Services on the IRT Division, NYCTA |url=https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1960/1960-01-bulletin.pdf |journal=New York Division Bulletin |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association |volume=3 |issue=1 |page=3 |access-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914232631/https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1960/1960-01-bulletin.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Under the New York City Transit Authority ===
On January 3, 1955, late night two-car shuttle service between 145th Street and 96th Street, between 12:12 and 6:57&nbsp;a.m. was discontinued due to low ridership. As a result, 145th Street was closed overnight. In addition, some 3 trains started running express in Manhattan during rush hours.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Subway Cut Is Explained By Official |date=December 18, 1954 |work=New York Amsterdam News |id={{ProQuest|225708590}}}}</ref> These trains were extended to Flatbush Avenue; a few layups and put-ins ran to New Lots Avenue.<ref name="erictb.info" /> However, from December 20, 1957, 3 trains were rerouted to New Lots Avenue during rush hours. On February 6, 1959, all trains except late nights made express stops in Manhattan as part of the "West Side Improvement" and ran to Flatbush Avenue.<ref name="erictb.info" />

Starting April 8, 1960, 3 trains were rerouted from Flatbush Avenue to New Lots Avenue, and weekday evening service between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. was cut to a shuttle between 145th Street and 135th Street. Before the change, 3 trains had run between 145th Street and Flatbush Avenue between about 5:30&nbsp;a.m. and 12:45&nbsp;a.m. on weekdays and Saturdays and from about 7:15&nbsp;a.m. to 12:45&nbsp;a.m. on Sundays. This service had been supplemented by additional service to and from New Lots Avenue.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Friedlander |first1=Alex |last2=Lonto |first2=Arthur |last3=Raudenbush |first3=Henry |date=April 1960 |title=A Summary of Services on the IRT Division, NYCTA |url=https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1960/1960-01-bulletin.pdf |journal=New York Division Bulletin |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=3 |access-date=May 22, 2020 |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914232631/https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1960/1960-01-bulletin.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 1960 |title=IRT Changes in Service – April 8, 1960 |url=https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1960/1960-01-bulletin.pdf |journal=New York Division Bulletin |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=3 |access-date=May 22, 2020 |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914232631/https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1960/1960-01-bulletin.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

However, on April 18, 1965, 3 service started to run to Flatbush Avenue again.<ref name="erictb.info" /> On October 17, 1965, weekend evening service was also cut to a shuttle between 145th Street and 135th Street.

On May 13, 1968, trains were extended to the newly completed [[Harlem–148th Street station|148th Street–Lenox Terminal]].<ref name="NYTImes-148LenoxOpen-1968">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/05/14/archives/irt-passengers-get-new-148th-st-station.html |title=IRT Passengers Get New 148th St. Station |date=May 14, 1968 |access-date=October 4, 2011 |work=The New York Times |page=95 |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221185250/https://www.nytimes.com/1968/05/14/archives/irt-passengers-get-new-148th-st-station.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, on November 12, late night shuttle service was implemented between 148th Street and 135th Street.<ref>{{Citation |last= |title=Another Transit Improvement... Line 3 (7 Ave. Lenox Shuttle) All Night Service |date=1968 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/unionturnpike/51281072343/ |publisher=New York City Transit Authority |access-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704175309/https://www.flickr.com/photos/unionturnpike/51281072343/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On May 23, 1976, the current practice of starting Sunday service late (9 or 10 a.m.) began.<ref name="erictb.info" />

On July 10, 1983, the {{NYCS|2}} and 3 trains swapped terminals in Brooklyn, with 2 trains terminating at Flatbush Avenue and 3 trains terminating at New Lots Avenue. These changes were made to reduce non-revenue subway car mileage, to provide a dedicated fleet for each service, and to provide an easily accessible inspection yard for each service. The change allowed the 2 to be dedicated to [[239th Street Yard]] and allowed the 3 to be assigned to [[Livonia Yard]]. With the rerouting of 3 trains, train lengths along the New Lots Line were reduced from 10 cars to 9 cars, within acceptable crowding levels, and train lengths along the Nostrand Avenue Line were increased from 9 to 10 cars, reducing crowding.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1983 |title=New IRT Schedules – Increased Service to Flatbush Avenue |journal=New York Division Bulletin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%252000253_1.pdf%23xml%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffffa28002b6%26DocId%3D6932839%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520X%26HitCount%3D11%26hits%3D5fa%2B5fb%2B5fc%2B5fd%2B5fe%2B5ff%2B600%2B601%2B602%2B603%2B604%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%252000253_1.pdf&xml=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffffa28002b6%26DocId%3D6932839%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520X%26HitCount%3D11%26hits%3D5fa%2B5fb%2B5fc%2B5fd%2B5fe%2B5ff%2B600%2B601%2B602%2B603%2B604%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |title=Notice of Public Hearing |date=February 26, 1983 |work=New York Amsterdam News |access-date=January 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125021952/https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%252000253_1.pdf%23xml%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffffa28002b6%26DocId%3D6932839%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520X%26HitCount%3D11%26hits%3D5fa%2B5fb%2B5fc%2B5fd%2B5fe%2B5ff%2B600%2B601%2B602%2B603%2B604%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%252000253_1.pdf&xml=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffffa28002b6%26DocId%3D6932839%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520X%26HitCount%3D11%26hits%3D5fa%2B5fb%2B5fc%2B5fd%2B5fe%2B5ff%2B600%2B601%2B602%2B603%2B604%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |url-status=live}}</ref>

Beginning on August 5, 1990, late-night shuttles between 148th Street and 135th Street were discontinued and replaced by shuttle buses. On September 4, 1994, late-night shuttles between 148th Street and 135th Street were resumed, but were discontinued again on September 10, 1995.<ref>"[https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/20/nyregion/neighborhood-report-new-york-up-close-coming-transit-reductions-what-they-mean.html Coming Transit Reductions: What They Mean for You] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518194044/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/20/nyregion/neighborhood-report-new-york-up-close-coming-transit-reductions-what-they-mean.html |date=May 18, 2020 }}," ''The New York Times'', August 20, 1995, p.&nbsp;CY10</ref> This was a cost-saving measure due to low ridership.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/17/nyregion/thecity/in-a-city-that-never-sleeps-two-stations-that-doze.html |title=In a City That Never Sleeps, Two Stations That Doze |last=Bleyer |first=Jennifer |date=July 17, 2005 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 11, 2017 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705194051/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/17/nyregion/thecity/in-a-city-that-never-sleeps-two-stations-that-doze.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 1991, a reduction of service along the Eastern Parkway corridor to remove excess capacity was proposed. Weekend daytime 3 service would be rerouted to originate and terminate at [[South Ferry (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|South Ferry]] in Manhattan instead of [[New Lots Avenue (IRT New Lots Line)|New Lots Avenue]] in Brooklyn. Service between [[Chambers Street (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|Chambers Street]] and [[Franklin Avenue (IRT Eastern Parkway Line)|Franklin Avenue]] would be provided by {{NYCS|2}} trains; service between Franklin Avenue and New Lots Avenue would be provided by extended {{NYCS|4}} trains. This service change would have been implemented in July 1991, pending approval from the MTA board.<ref>{{cite web |title=1991 Service Capacity Plan |url=http://www.laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu/pages/FileBrowser.aspx?LinkToFile=FILES_DOC/QUEENS_FILES/03.012.0231.030147.2.PDF#undefined |publisher=New York City Transit Authority |access-date=September 18, 2024 |page=202 |date=January 4, 1991}}</ref>

From March 2<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/03/nyregion/subway-line-repairs-start-with-confusion.html |title=Subway Line Repairs Start With Confusion |last=Christian |first=Nichole M. |date=March 3, 1998 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=September 23, 2016 |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917201210/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/03/nyregion/subway-line-repairs-start-with-confusion.html |url-status=live}}</ref> to October 12, 1998, the [[IRT Lenox Avenue Line]] was rehabilitated. Most 3 service was rerouted to [[137th Street–City College (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|137th Street–City College]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mta.info/nyct/facts/ffhist.htm |title=About NYC Transit – History |date=October 19, 2002 |access-date=September 18, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021019203759/http://www.mta.info/nyct/facts/ffhist.htm |archive-date=October 19, 2002}}</ref> From October 4, 1999, to August 3, 2001, Limited AM rush hour 3 trains originated at [[137th Street – City College (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|137th Street – City College]] instead of 148th Street; these trains ran local to 96th Street before switching to the express track. From August 6, 2001,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Increased Rush Hour IRT Service |journal=The Bulletin |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association, Incorporated |volume=44 |issue=8 |page=4 |date=August 2001 |url=https://www.erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2000s/2001/2001-08-bulletin.pdf |access-date=October 3, 2024}}</ref> to April 25, 2003, limited AM rush hour 3 trains originated at [[East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)|East 180th Street]] in the Bronx instead of 148th Street.<ref>{{cite journal |title=New IRT Schedules |journal=The Bulletin |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association, Incorporated |volume=46 |issue=6 |page=18 |date=June 2003 |url=https://www.erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2000s/2003/2003-06-bulletin.pdf |access-date=October 4, 2024}}</ref>

=== Recent history ===
After the [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001]] attacks, 3 service was initially split in two sections, with the northern section operating between 148th and 135th Streets and the southern section operating between Utica Avenue and New Lots Avenue, but service in Brooklyn was replaced by 4 trains on the evening of September 12, leaving the 3 to operate only as a shuttle between 148th and 135th Streets. On September 17, service was restored along the full route and made all stops in Manhattan, with trains skipping Franklin Street, Chambers Street and Park Place; Franklin Street reopened on September 18. On September 19, service was cut back from New Lots Avenue to 14th Street in Manhattan; 3 trains made express stops between 96th and 14th Streets, while the 1 replaced the 3 in Brooklyn.<ref>{{cite journal |title=World Trade Center Destroyed |journal=The Bulletin |url=https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2000s/2001/2001-10-bulletin.pdf |date=October 2001 |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association |volume=44 |number=10 |pages=2-3 |access-date=March 30, 2025}}</ref> Also on this date, 3 trains began to permanently use consists of 10-car trains as a result of equipment sharing between Livonia Yard (the maintenance facility in Brooklyn where subway cars assigned to the 3 are based from) and 240th Street Yard (the maintenance facility in the Bronx where subway cars assigned to the 1 are based from).<ref>{{Citation |last=Chiasson |first=George |author-link= |title=Redbird Update |newspaper=The Bulletin, New York Division, Electric Railroaders' Association |pages=16 |date=November 2001 |url=https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2000s/2001/2001-11-bulletin.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407165040/https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2000s/2001/2001-11-bulletin.pdf |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |access-date=April 7, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Normal 3 service was restored on September 15, 2002.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Test Trains in Lower Manhattan |journal=The Bulletin |url=https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2000s/2002/2002-10-bulletin.pdf |date=October 2002 |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association |volume=45 |number=10 |pages=15 |access-date=March 30, 2025}}</ref>

On July 27, 2008, late night 3 service was restored, operating express between 148th Street and Times Square–42nd Street. In addition, late morning weekday service was increased from running every 6 to 8 minutes to running every 5 to 7 minutes to reduce crowding on the 2. These increases were made as part of an $8.9 million package of systemwide service enhancements.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Service Enhancements on 3 Line |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |date=July 24, 2008 |url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/nyc-transit/service-enhancements-3-line |access-date=July 26, 2008 |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030174748/http://www.mta.info/press-release/nyc-transit/service-enhancements-3-line |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/19/nyregion/19service.html |title=Subway Service Increase to Be Less Than Hoped |last=Neuman |first=William |date=June 19, 2008 |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 12, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715173120/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/19/nyregion/19service.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Clark Street Tube underwent planned repairs on weekends from June 17, 2017, to June 24, 2018, due to [[Hurricane Sandy]]-related damage. The 3 operated only in Manhattan between Harlem-148th Street and [[14th Street (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|14th Street]] with {{NYCS|4}} trains providing service to New Lots Avenue in Brooklyn.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/161212_1000_Transit.pdf |title=Transit & Bus Committee Meeting December 2016 |date=December 12, 2016 |website=mta.info |publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] |pages=PDF-169 to PDF-175 |access-date=December 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210041234/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/161212_1000_Transit.pdf |archive-date=December 10, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://web.mta.info/sandy/sandy_recovery_work.htm |title=Clark St Tunnel Reconstruction Weekend Service Changes |date=March 13, 2018 |website=web.mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313032219/http://web.mta.info/sandy/sandy_recovery_work.htm |archive-date=March 13, 2018 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 20, 2023}}</ref>

On November 17, 2019, the MTA made adjustments to weekday evening 3, 4, and 5 service in order to accommodate planned subway work. Late night 3 service to Times Square started an hour earlier, at 10:30&nbsp;p.m. instead of 11:30&nbsp;p.m.; to replace 3 service, 4 service was extended to New Lots Avenue. This change, which was approved by the MTA Board on June 27, 2019, was expected to save the agency $900,000 annually.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/190624_1030_Transit.pdf |title=Transit and Bus Committee Meeting June 2019 |date=June 24, 2019 |website=mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |pages=94–97 |access-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-date=July 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725161749/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/190624_1030_Transit.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://new.mta.info/document/9446 |title=5 Subway Timetable Effective November 17, 2019 |date=November 17, 2019 |website=mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123084117/https://new.mta.info/document/9446 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2025, overnight 3 service was quietly extended from Times Square–42nd Street to [[34th Street–Penn Station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|34th Street–Penn Station]], although a few northbound trips continued to enter service at Times Square.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2025 |title=Late Night Subway Map |url=https://www.mta.info/map/5336 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130063615/https://www.mta.info/map/5336 |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |access-date=July 20, 2025 |website=mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}</ref> One month later, some weekday early morning and late evening trips were rerouted to and from [[137th Street–City College (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|137th Street–City College]] as a result of accessibility improvements taking place at 148th Street. Some trips also began ending at [[135th Street station (IRT Lenox Avenue Line)|135th Street]] during the evening.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2025 |title=MTA 3 subway timetable |url=https://www.mta.info/document/9436 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211082450/https://www.mta.info/document/9436 |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |access-date=July 20, 2025 |website=mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}</ref> Effective June 8, 2025, 3 service to 137th Street was discontinued.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2025 |title=MTA 3 subway timetable |url=https://www.mta.info/document/9436 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609124803/https://www.mta.info/document/9436 |archive-date=June 9, 2025 |access-date=July 20, 2025 |website=mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}</ref>

In May 2025, as part of the 2025–2029 Capital Program, the MTA proposed that the 3 train be rerouted from New Lots Avenue to [[Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College station|Flatbush Avenue]] at its southern end, as it did prior to 1983. A new 8 service, operating along the Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line, would take over the southernmost portion of the 3's route from Franklin Avenue to New Lots Avenue.<ref>{{cite web | title=MTA plans to speed up Brooklyn subway with Nostrand Junction fix | website=Brooklyn Eagle | date=June 4, 2025 | url=https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2025/06/04/mta-plans-to-speed-up-brooklyn-subway-with-nostrand-junction-fix/ | access-date=June 5, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Streetsblog t017" /> The proposal, first suggested in 2023 as part of the MTA's 20-year needs assessment, would remove a bottleneck at the Rogers Avenue Junction south of Franklin Avenue, where 5 express and 3 local trains must cross over each other's tracks.<ref name="Streetsblog t017">{{cite web | title=MTA To Finally Untangle Notorious Brooklyn Subway Pinch Point | website=Streetsblog New York City | date=June 3, 2025 | url=https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/06/03/mta-to-finally-untangle-notorious-brooklyn-subway-pinch-point | access-date=June 5, 2025}}</ref>

== Route ==
=== Service pattern ===
The following table shows the lines used by the 3, with shaded boxes indicating the route at the specified times:<ref>{{NYCS const|serviceguide}}</ref>
{{clear}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:95%;"
! rowspan=2 | Line
! rowspan=2 | From
! rowspan=2 | To
! rowspan=2 | Tracks
! colspan=2 | Times
|-
! width=40 | all {{abbr|ex.|except}} nights
! width=40 | late nights
|-
| [[IRT Lenox Avenue Line]] (full line)
| [[Harlem–148th Street station|Harlem–148th Street]]
| [[110th Street–Malcolm X Plaza station|110th Street–Malcolm X Plaza]]
| all
| rowspan=6 style="background:gray" | &nbsp;
| rowspan=2 style="background:gray" | &nbsp;
|-
| rowspan=2 | [[IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line]]
| [[96th Street station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|96th Street]]
| [[34th Street–Penn Station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|34th Street–Penn Station]]
| rowspan=2 | express
|-
| [[14th Street station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|14th Street]]
| [[Chambers Street (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|Chambers Street]]
| rowspan=4 | &nbsp;
|-
| IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line, Brooklyn Branch
| [[Park Place station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|Park Place]]
| [[Borough Hall station (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)|Borough Hall]]
| all
|-
| [[IRT Eastern Parkway Line]] (full line)
| [[Hoyt Street station|Hoyt Street]]
| [[Crown Heights–Utica Avenue station|Crown Heights–Utica Avenue]]
| local
|-
| [[IRT New Lots Line]] (full line)
| [[Sutter Avenue–Rutland Road station|Sutter Avenue–Rutland Road]]
| [[New Lots Avenue station (IRT New Lots Line)|New Lots Avenue]]
| all
|}

=== Stations ===

For a more detailed station listing, see the articles on the lines listed above.<ref name="timetable"/>

{{NYCS service legend
| alltimes = show
| allexceptnights = show
| nightsonly =
| nightsweekends =
| weekdaysonly = show
| allexceptrush =
| allexceptweekdays =
| dailyexceptrush =
| rushonly = show
| rushpeak =
| weekdayspeak =
| closed = show
| custom_icon_1 = rushpeak
| custom_text_1 = Stops rush hours in the peak direction only (limited service)
| custom_icon_2 = rushreversepeak
| custom_text_2 = Stops rush hours in the reverse-peak direction only (limited service)
}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:90%;" summary="Service information for the 3 train and its stations, including service times, ADA-accessibility, subway transfers, and non-subway connections."
! width=3% | [[File:NYCS-bull-trans-3-Std.svg|20px|3 service]]
! width=28% | Stations
! width=3% | {{Access icon}}
! width=36% | Subway transfers
! width=30% | Connections/Notes
|-
| align=center colspan=5 | '''[[Manhattan]]'''
|-
| align=center colspan=5 | '''[[IRT Lenox Avenue Line|Lenox Avenue Line]]'''
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Harlem–148th Street}}
|
|
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|145th Street|Lenox}}
|
|
| Access to and from first five cars of southbound trains, and from first five cars of northbound trains only; no northbound entry.<br>Some southbound a.m. rush hour trips begin at this station
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|135th Street|Lenox}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Lenox|time=show|exclude=3}}
| Some northbound evening trips end at this station
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|125th Street|Lenox}}
|
| {{NYCS Lenox|time=show|exclude=3}}
| [[M60 (New York City bus)|M60 Select Bus Service]] to [[LaGuardia Airport]]
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|116th Street|Lenox}}
|
| {{NYCS Lenox|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|110th Street–Malcolm X Plaza}}
|
| {{NYCS Lenox|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center colspan=5 | '''[[IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line|Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line]]'''
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|96th Street|Broadway-Seventh}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|72nd Street|Broadway-Seventh}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Times Square–42nd Street|Broadway-Seventh}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh|time=show|exclude=3}}<br>{{NYCS Flushing south|time=show}} ([[IRT Flushing Line]])<br>{{NYCS Eighth south|time=show}} ([[IND Eighth Avenue Line]] at [[42nd Street–Port Authority Bus Terminal (IND Eighth Avenue Line)|42nd Street–Port Authority Bus Terminal]])<br>{{NYCS Broadway|time=show}} ([[BMT Broadway Line]])<br>{{NYCS 42nd|time=show}} ([[42nd Street Shuttle]])<br />{{NYCS Sixth|time=show}} ([[IND Sixth Avenue Line]] at [[42nd Street–Bryant Park (IND Sixth Avenue Line)|42nd Street–Bryant Park]], daytime only)
| [[Port Authority Bus Terminal]]<br>[[M34A (New York City bus)|M34A Select Bus Service]]
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|34th Street–Penn Station|Broadway-Seventh}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh|time=show|exclude=3}}
| [[M34 (New York City bus)|M34 / M34A Select Bus Service]]<br>[[Amtrak]], [[Long Island Rail Road|LIRR]] and [[New Jersey Transit|NJ Transit]] at [[Pennsylvania Station (New York City)|Pennsylvania Station]]
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|14th Street|Broadway-Seventh}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh|time=show|exclude=3}}<br>{{NYCS Sixth local|time=show}} ([[IND Sixth Avenue Line]] at {{stl|NYCS|14th Street|Sixth}})<br>{{NYCS Canarsie|time=show}} ([[BMT Canarsie Line]] at {{stl|NYCS|Sixth Avenue}})
| [[Port Authority Trans-Hudson|PATH]] at {{stl|PATH|14th Street}}<br>[[M14 SBS (New York City bus)|M14A/D Select Bus Service]]
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Chambers Street|Broadway-Seventh}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center colspan=5 | '''[[IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line|Brooklyn branch]]'''
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Park Place|Broadway-Seventh}}
| align=center | [[File:Aiga elevator.svg|20px|alt=Elevator access to mezzanine only]]
| {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh Brooklyn|time=show|exclude=3}}<br>{{NYCS Eighth far south express|time=show}} ([[IND Eighth Avenue Line]] at [[Chambers Street (IND Eighth Avenue Line)|Chambers Street]])<br>{{NYCS Eighth far south local|time=show}} (IND Eighth Avenue Line at [[World Trade Center (IND Eighth Avenue Line)|World Trade Center]])<br>{{NYCS Broadway south day|time=show}} ([[BMT Broadway Line]] at [[Cortlandt Street (BMT Broadway Line)|Cortlandt Street]])
| [[PATH (rail system)|PATH]] at {{stl|PATH|World Trade Center}}
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Fulton Street|Broadway-Seventh}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh Brooklyn|time=show|exclude=3}}<br>{{NYCS Lexington south|time=show}} ([[IRT Lexington Avenue Line]])<br>{{NYCS Eighth far south express|time=show}} ([[IND Eighth Avenue Line]])<br>{{NYCS Nassau south|time=show}} ([[BMT Nassau Street Line]])
| [[PATH (rail system)|PATH]] at {{stl|PATH|World Trade Center}}
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Wall Street|Broadway-Seventh}}
|
| {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh Brooklyn|time=show|exclude=3}}
| [[M15 SBS (New York City bus)|M15 Select Bus Service]]<br>[[Staten Island Ferry]] at [[Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal|Whitehall Terminal]]
|-
| align=center colspan=5 | '''[[Brooklyn]]'''
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Clark Street}}
| align=center | [[File:Aiga elevator.svg|20px|alt=Elevator access to mezzanine only]]
| {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh Brooklyn|time=show|exclude=3}}
| {{Ferry icon}} '''[[NYC Ferry]]''': East River and South Brooklyn routes (at Old Fulton Street and Furman Street)
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Borough Hall|Broadway-Seventh}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh Brooklyn|time=show|exclude=3}}<br>{{NYCS Joralemon|time=show}} ([[IRT Eastern Parkway Line]])<br>{{NYCS Fourth Montague day|time=show}} ([[BMT Fourth Avenue Line]] at [[Court Street (BMT Fourth Avenue Line)|Court Street]])
|
|-
| align=center colspan=5 | '''[[IRT Eastern Parkway Line|Eastern Parkway Line]]'''
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Hoyt Street}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}&nbsp;↓
| {{NYCS Eastern far west local|time=show|exclude=3}}
| Station is [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|ADA-accessible]] in the southbound direction only.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 21, 2023 |title=MTA Announces New Station Elevator Paid in Full by Macy's |url=https://bronx.news12.com/mta-announces-new-station-elevator-paid-in-full-by-macys |access-date=September 22, 2023 |website=News 12 – The Bronx |archive-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930203845/https://bronx.news12.com/mta-announces-new-station-elevator-paid-in-full-by-macys |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Nevins Street}}
|
| {{NYCS Eastern west|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center|Eastern}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Eastern west|time=show|exclude=3}}<br>{{NYCS Brighton north|time=show}} ([[BMT Brighton Line]])<br>{{NYCS Fourth center|time=show}} ([[BMT Fourth Avenue Line]])
| [[Long Island Rail Road|LIRR]] [[Atlantic Branch]] at [[Atlantic Terminal]]
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Bergen Street|Eastern}}
|
| {{NYCS Eastern west local day|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Grand Army Plaza}}
|
| {{NYCS Eastern west local day|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Eastern Parkway–Brooklyn Museum}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Eastern west local day|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Franklin Avenue–Medgar Evers College}}
|
| {{NYCS Eastern west|time=show|exclude=3}}<br>{{NYCS Franklin|time=show}} ([[BMT Franklin Avenue Line]] at {{stl|NYCS|Botanic Garden}})
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Nostrand Avenue|Eastern}}
|
| {{NYCS Eastern center local day|time=show|exclude=3}}
| [[B44 (New York City bus)|B44 Select Bus Service]]
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Kingston Avenue}}
|
| {{NYCS Eastern center local day|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Crown Heights–Utica Avenue}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Eastern center|time=show|exclude=3}}
| [[B46 SBS (New York City bus)|B46 Select Bus Service]]
|-
| align=center colspan=5 | '''[[IRT New Lots Line|New Lots Line]]'''
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Sutter Avenue–Rutland Road}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots day|time=show|exclude=3}}
| [[B15 (New York City bus)|B15]] bus to [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|JFK Int'l Airport]]
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Saratoga Avenue}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots day|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Rockaway Avenue|New Lots}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots day|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Junius Street}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots day|time=show|exclude=3}}<br>Out-of-system transfer with [[MetroCard]]/[[OMNY]]:<br>{{NYCS Canarsie|time=show}} ([[BMT Canarsie Line]] at {{stl|NYCS|Livonia Avenue}})
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Pennsylvania Avenue}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots day|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Van Siclen Avenue|New Lots}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots day|time=show|exclude=3}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptnights}}
| {{stl|NYCS|New Lots Avenue|New Lots}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots day|time=show|exclude=3}}
| [[B15 (New York City bus)|B15]] bus to [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|JFK Int'l Airport]]
|}

{{notelist}}

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/threelin.htm MTA NYC Transit – 3 Seventh Avenue Express]
* {{NYCS const|traintime|3}}
* {{NYCS const|timetable|3}}

{{NYCS navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:3 (New York City Subway Service)}}
[[Category:Interborough Rapid Transit Company|#]]
[[Category:New York City Subway services]]