Oct
27
104 and counting
ByOn October 27, 1904, at 1 p.m., the first Interborough Rapid Transit subway car departed City Hall en route to 145h St. For the next six hours, the IRT allowed complimentary pass holders on, and at 7 p.m., the gates opened, at five cents a ride, to the public. The Times wrote about what they called a simple ceremony and expressed remorse that President Roosevelt couldn’t attend. On the first day, from 7 p.m. until midnight, 25,000 per hour rode the rails, and 104 years later, the subways in New York are still going strong. Happy Anniversary.
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I love this quote from General Manager Frank Hadley: “At first…three-minute headway for local trains… four or five-minute headway for express trains… but we shall be ready on short notice to increase the number of trains if the number of passengers warrants it. We can run them one minute apart if necessary.” To which I respond, 104 years later, is it necessary yet?
Also, its interesting to note that both terminal stations, City Hall and 145th St have been shuttered; City Hall permanently, and (until recently) 145th St. during late nights. So much for honoring the history of these two stations.
I doubt that they were ever actually prepared to run trains at 1-minute headways, though it sure sounded good.
The 145th Street station that opened on the first day isn’t the same one that was formerly shuttered overnight. You’re confusing the Lenox Avenue and Broadway stations. As for City Hall, it just goes to show how times change. Though much beloved of subway fans for nostalgia reasons, it always had low ridership.
My mistake (re: 145th St). Thanks for the correction.