On October 27, 1904, New York City celebrated the opening of its subway system, a transportation marvel that changed how people navigated the bustling city. With the first line running from City Hall to Harlem, the subway quickly became an essential part of New York’s infrastructure, transporting millions of passengers every day.

Fun Facts:

• The first subway line ran 9.1 miles, stretching from City Hall in Lower Manhattan to 145th Street in Harlem. It was operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT).
• It cost five cents to ride the subway, a fare that would remain unchanged for nearly 45 years.
• The subway’s construction was a massive engineering project. It utilized the ‘cut-and-cover’ method, a technique where workers dug trenches, laid tracks, and covered them to restore the above roadways. This method, though disruptive to the city’s streets, was a necessary step in creating the extensive subway system we know today.
• Upon its grand opening, the subway was hailed as a beacon of modernity. Its electric trains ushered in a new era of travel, offering faster and more efficient journeys compared to the streetcars and elevated trains that had been the norm. This shift in transportation not only made commuting easier but also influenced the city’s urban development, as it allowed for the expansion of residential areas beyond the city center.
• On its opening day, over 150,000 people rode the subway, and the system quickly expanded to accommodate the growing city, a testament to its practicality. Today, the NYC subway has 472 stations and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• The NYC subway is one of the world’s largest and busiest subway systems, with over 5.5 million passengers riding it daily in pre-pandemic times.
• While the original City Hall station is no longer in use, it is preserved as a piece of history, inviting visitors to explore its past during special tours.