{{short description|Rapid transit service}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NYCS service | service = L | name = 14th Street–Canarsie Local |image1 = L train at 14th Street - Union Square Jan 2025.jpg |caption1=L train of R160A–1s entering 14th Street–Union Square | west term = Eighth Avenue | east term = Rockaway Parkway | stations = 24 | depot = East New York Yard | started = {{start date and age|1924|06|30}} | map = {{switcher |{{maplink-road|from=BMT Canarsie Line.map}} |Show interactive map |{{L (New York City Subway service)}} |Show route diagram }} | map_state = collapsed }}
The '''L 14th Street–Canarsie Local'''<ref name="timetable">{{NYCS const|timetable|L}}</ref> is a rapid transit service in the B Division of the New York City Subway. Its route emblem, or "bullet", is colored {{NYCS const|color|gray}} since it serves the BMT Canarsie Line.<ref>{{cite web| website= MTA.info| url= http://web.mta.info/developers/resources/line_colors.htm| title= MTA Colors| publisher= Metropolitan Transportation Authority| access-date= June 7, 2017}}</ref>
The L operates 24 hours daily between Eighth Avenue in Chelsea, Manhattan, and Rockaway Parkway in Canarsie, Brooklyn, making all stops along the full route. It also briefly enters Queens at Halsey Street, serving the neighborhood of Ridgewood.<ref>{{cite web| website= MTA.info| url= http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/busqns.pdf| title= Queens Bus Map| publisher= Metropolitan Transportation Authority| date= January 2017| access-date= June 7, 2017| archive-date= April 16, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080416204349/http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/busqns.pdf| url-status= dead}}</ref> It is the first New York City Subway service to be automated using communications-based train control.
The L commenced its current route and service pattern upon completion of the Canarsie Line in 1928. Express trains formerly ran along the L's trackage in central Brooklyn, running along the BMT Fulton Street Line in eastern Brooklyn, but were discontinued in 1956. Since then, the L has been entirely local.
The L was originally the Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation's '''16''' service. The 16 became the '''LL''' in 1967 and then the L in 1985. In the early 2000s, the L saw a dramatic increase in ridership since many neighborhoods along the route have experienced gentrification. From April 2019 to April 2020, late-night and weekend L service between Manhattan and Brooklyn was temporarily reduced as part of the 14th Street Tunnel shutdown, which sought to repair damage to the 14th Street Tunnel incurred by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abc7ny.com/5989875/|title=Coronavirus Update: Hospitalizations Down, Deaths up Slightly to 437 in NY |date=March 6, 2020|website=ABC7 New York|language=en|access-date=April 26, 2020}}</ref>
== History ==
===Early history=== ==== 1924–1967 ==== The L was originally given the LL designation when letters were assigned to the BMT division. From 1928 to 1967, the same service was assigned the BMT number 16.
In 1924, part of the eventual 14th Street–Canarsie Line opened, called the "14th Street–Eastern District Line" (commonly the "14th Street–Eastern Line"), and was given the number 16. This was extended east, and in 1928 it was joined to the existing BMT Canarsie Line east of Broadway Junction. Since that time, the 14th Street–Canarsie Line service has operated as it is today, except for an extension from Sixth Avenue to Eighth Avenue, which opened on May 30, 1931, to connect to the new Eighth Avenue Subway. The Eighth Avenue Terminal was originally built in IND style and has been restored to BMT style like Fulton Street and Broad Street. During rush hours, express service ran nonstop between Lorimer Street and Myrtle–Wyckoff Avenues. (Locals usually ran from Eighth Avenue to Myrtle–Wyckoff Avenues or Atlantic Avenue at these times.)<ref>[http://www.erictb.info/linehistory.html#l Line by line history L train]</ref>
Before the 14th Street–Eastern and Canarsie Lines were connected, the Canarsie part of the line already had a number, 14, running from Lower Manhattan via the Broadway Elevated and called the ''Canarsie Line''.<ref>{{cite web | title=CELEBRATE OPENING OF SUBWAY LINK; Civic and City Officials Ride in First Train Over 14th St. Line to Brooklyn. | website=The New York Times | date=June 1, 1924 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1924/07/01/archives/celebrate-opening-of-subway-link-civic-and-city-officials-ride-in.html | access-date=April 16, 2018}}</ref> When the 14th Street–Eastern Line was connected in 1928, this was renamed the ''Broadway (Brooklyn) Line'', but continued to operate to Rockaway Parkway.<ref>{{cite web | title=EXPECT GAIN ON B.M.T. LINE; Officials Say Old Habits of Patrons Hold Down Canarsie Traffic. | website=The New York Times | date=July 17, 1928 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/07/17/archives/expect-gain-on-bmt-line-officials-say-old-habits-of-patrons-hold.html | access-date=April 16, 2018}}</ref>
Starting on September 23, 1936, express trains ran to Lefferts Boulevard via the connection with the Fulton Street Elevated at Atlantic Avenue.<ref>{{cite web | title=B.M.T. TO SPEED UP QUEENS SERVICE; New Multi-Section Cars to Be Used for Special Rush-Hour Trips Starting Wednesday. | website=The New York Times | date=September 21, 1936 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/09/21/archives/bmt-to-speed-up-queens-service-new-multisection-cars-to-be-used-for.html | access-date=April 16, 2018}}</ref> This connection was severed on April 30, 1956, then the service ran to Rockaway Parkway again, but was discontinued on August 23. The R27 to R38's roll signs had both L and LL for express and local service, even though the express never ran thereafter.
==== 1967–1985 ==== On November 26, 1967, with the opening of the Chrystie Street Connection, the BMT Eastern Division lines were given letters. The 14 to Canarsie was given the label {{NYCS|JJ}} (though the 14 main line was designated {{NYCS|KK}}, continuing east from Broadway Junction towards Jamaica). On the other hand, the 16 became the LL.<ref name="NYTimes-ChrystieStChanges-1967">{{cite web |last1=Perlmutter |first1=Emanuel |title=SUBWAY CHANGES TO SPEED SERVICE: Major Alterations in Maps, Routes and Signs Will Take Effect Nov. 26 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1967/11/16/90418352.pdf |website=The New York Times |access-date=July 7, 2015 |date=November 16, 1967}}</ref> Canarsie service to Lower Manhattan was discontinued in 1968.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E07E6DD1131E034BC4953DFB1668383679EDE&legacy=true|title=SKIP-STOP SUBWAY BEGINS RUN TODAY; KK Line Links 3 Boroughs—Other Routes Changed|last=Hofmann|first=Paul|date=July 1, 1968|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 27, 2016}}</ref> When double letters were dropped on May 5, 1985, the LL became the L, and it still has that designation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/27733842265/|title=Hey, What's a "K" Train? 1985 Brochure|website=Flickr – Photo Sharing!|date=June 17, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}}</ref>
=== Skip-stop service proposal ===
In January 1991, skip-stop service was proposed to speed service during the height of rush hours in the peak direction which would have reduced the running time from 41 minutes to 37 minutes. Under this plan, the K designation, which was previously used as the Broadway Brooklyn Local from 1967 to 1976, and as the Eighth Avenue Local from 1985 to 1988, would be repurposed and would appear in a gray bullet similar to the color the L uses. Both services would have common stops at Rockaway Parkway, Broadway Junction (then called Eastern Parkway), Myrtle Avenue, Lorimer Street, First Avenue, Union Square, Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue. L trains would stop at East 105th Street, Livonia Avenue, Atlantic Avenue, Wilson Avenue, DeKalb Avenue, Morgan Avenue, Grand Street, and Bedford Avenue; K trains would stop at New Lots Avenue, Sutter Avenue, Bushwick Avenue–Aberdeen Street, Halsey Street, Jefferson Street, Montrose Avenue, Graham Avenue and Third Avenue. This change was proposed as a service improvement alongside other changes that would have either reduced or eliminated service to balance the MTA's operational budget and would have been implemented in October 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=February 11, 2020 |page=207 |date=January 4, 1991}}</ref>
===Modernization and rehabilitation=== ==== Ridership and CBTC ==== [[File:R143 L Train Entering Broadway Junction.jpg|thumb|R143 L train entering Broadway Junction for Eighth Avenue|left]]{{Quote box |title = Ridership |quote= Annual ridership for the L service:<ref name="nydn 2006"/> * 1994 . . . 16,968,025 * 1996 . . . 18,107,243 * 1998 . . . 21,196,693 * 2000 . . . 26,155,806 * 2005 . . . 30,452,319
Headways:<ref name="nydn 2006"/> * Morning and evening rush hours: 4 minutes * Midday: 6–8 minutes * Overnight: 20 minutes
The 5 busiest stations in 2005:<ref name="nydn 2006">{{cite news |title=Oh, L, Not Enuf Trains! |first=Pete |last=Donohue |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2006/07/07/2006-07-07_oh__l__not_enuf_trains___ta_.html |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York |date=July 7, 2006 |access-date=March 20, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> # First Avenue, Manhattan # Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn # Canarsie–Rockaway Parkway, Canarsie, Brooklyn # DeKalb Avenue, Bushwick, Brooklyn # Graham Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The stations with greatest ridership increases in 2014:<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150421/williamsburg/map-see-how-much-subway-ridership-increased-at-your-station | title=MAP: See How Much Subway Ridership Increased at Your Station | work=DNA Info | date=April 21, 2015 | access-date=May 5, 2015 | author=Mays, Jeff | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423215105/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150421/williamsburg/map-see-how-much-subway-ridership-increased-at-your-station | archive-date=April 23, 2015 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> * Bushwick Avenue–Aberdeen Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn * Wilson Avenue, Bushwick, Brooklyn * Jefferson Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn
|width = 25% |align = right }}
Ridership on the L has increased dramatically since 2000 since many neighborhoods along the route have experienced gentrification. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's $443 million fleets of subway cars on the L was introduced in 2002, but by 2006 was already too small to handle growing ridership. The Transit Authority had projected that 212 Kawasaki-made R143 subway cars would be enough to accommodate ridership demands for years to come, but ridership has risen higher than expected. Therefore, sixty-four new R160A cars manufactured by Alstom were equipped with CBTC so they could run on the L.
The BMT Canarsie Line tracks underwent an extensive retrofit over to CBTC, a system that controls the trains via a computer onboard, as opposed manually operated by a human operator. This was completed in early 2009.<ref>[http://mta.info/capitaldashboard/pdf/Milestones_Report.pdf MTA Capital Program Milestones Report] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716064023/http://www.mta.info/capitaldashboard/pdf/Milestones_Report.pdf |date=July 16, 2012 }}</ref> While the retrofit has resulted in nearly two years of service changes and station closings, this system will eventually allow trains to run closer together and enables in-station "countdown clock" displays to note the exact time until the next train arrives. The line also used OPTO (one person train operation) beginning in June 2005, but a combination of public outcry regarding perceived safety issues, which increased after the July 2005 London tube bombings, heavy lobbying by the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), as well as an arbitration ruling that MTA had breached its contract with TWU caused the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to end OPTO the following September. However, the MTA's successful implementation of countdown clocks on the L was the first in the system.<ref>[http://www.mail-archive.com/nycwireless@lists.nycwireless.net/msg05204.html MTA/Siemens train-arrival sign]</ref>
On April 27, 2003, midday L service was reduced to run every 8 minutes instead of every 6 minutes.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |date=July 2003 |title=New BMT-IND Schedules |url=https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2000s/2003/2003-07-bulletin.pdf |journal=The New York Division Bulletin |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association |volume=46 |issue=7 |pages=20}}</ref>
==== 14th Street Tunnel shutdown ==== {{Further|14th Street Tunnel shutdown}}
Starting April 27, 2019,<ref>{{cite web | title=L Train Shutdown to Begin on April 27 | website=Spectrum News NY1 | New York City | date=October 30, 2018 | url=http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2018/10/30/l-train-shutdown-date-for-brooklyn-manhattan-tunnel-set | access-date=October 31, 2018}}</ref> L service was limited between Third Avenue and Bedford Avenue on late nights and weekends to allow for repairs on the Canarsie Line tunnels under the East River, which were badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Trains in both directions operated on one tube between Third and Bedford Avenues while late night and weekend work was done on the other tube.<ref name="NYTimes-LShutdownHalted-2019">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/03/nyregion/l-train-shutdown.html|title=Full Shutdown of L Train to Be Halted by Cuomo|last1=Fitzsimmons|first1=Emma G.|date=January 3, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 3, 2019|last2=Goldmacher|first2=Shane|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The original plan was for a full 15-month closure with both tubes closed simultaneously west of Bedford Avenue,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/03/nyregion/mta-l-train-shutdown-15-months.html|title=M.T.A. Shortens L Train Shutdown to 15 Months|last=Fitzsimmons|first=Emma G.|date=April 3, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 4, 2017|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/nyregion/new-york-today-the-plan-for-the-l-train-shutdown.html|title=New York Today: The Plan for the L Train Shutdown|last=Wolfe|first=Jonathan|date=December 14, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 16, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> but the plans were revised in January 2019.<ref name="NYTimes-LShutdownHalted-2019"/> On April 26, 2020, New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced the completion of the project, months ahead of schedule.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Governor Cuomo Announces Completion of Nation-Leading L Project Tunnel Rehabilitation With No Shutdown|url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-completion-nation-leading-l-project-tunnel-rehabilitation-no-shutdown|date=April 26, 2020|publisher=New York State – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo|location=Albany, NY|access-date=April 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427110938/https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-completion-nation-leading-l-project-tunnel-rehabilitation-no-shutdown|archive-date=April 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/26/nyregion/coronavirus-new-york-update.html#link-10b01d9|title=Cuomo Announces That the L Train Will Reopen|date=April 26, 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 27, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
==Signage history== <gallery caption="16/L/LL services"> R1 BMT 16 14th.gif|Pre-1967 BMT 10 bullet used on the R1s to R38s LL Train (1967-1979).svg|1967-1979 bullet LL Train (1979-1985).svg|1979-1985 bullet File:NYCS-bull-trans-L.svg|The current bullet used since 1985 </gallery>
<gallery caption="Proposed K service"> File:NYCS-bull-trans-K-gray.svg|Proposed 1991 K skip-stop bullet for the BMT Canarsie Line </gallery>
==Route== ===Service pattern=== thumb|right|To scale line map The L uses the following lines with the same service pattern at all times.<ref>{{NYCS const|serviceguide}}</ref> {| class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:95%" |- ! Line ! From ! To ! Tracks |- | BMT Canarsie Line | Eighth Avenue | Canarsie–Rockaway Parkway | all |}
=== Stations === The L runs on the BMT Canarsie Line in its entirety.<ref name="timetable"/>
{{NYCS service legend | alltimes = show | allexceptnights = show | nightsonly = show | nightsweekends = | weekdaysonly = show | allexceptrush = | allexceptweekdays = | dailyexceptrush = | rushonly = | rushpeak = | closed = show | custom_icon_1 = rushpeak | custom_text_1 = Stops rush hours/weekdays in the peak direction only | custom_icon_2 = | custom_text_2 = }} {| class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:90%" summary="Service information for the L train and its stations, including service times, ADA-accessibility, subway transfers, and non-subway connections." ! style="width:3%;"| 20px|L service ! style="width:28%;"| Stations ! style="width:3%;"| {{Access icon}} ! style="width:36%;"| Subway transfers ! style="width:30%;"| Connections |- | style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center" colspan="5"| Manhattan |- | style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center" colspan=5 | Canarsie Line |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Eighth Avenue|Canarsie}} | align=center | {{Access icon}} | {{NYCS Eighth south|time=show}} (IND Eighth Avenue Line at {{stl|NYCS|14th Street|Eighth}}) | M14A / M14D Select Bus Service |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Sixth Avenue}} | align=center | {{Access icon}} | {{NYCS Sixth local|time=show}} (IND Sixth Avenue Line at {{stl|NYCS|14th Street|Sixth}})<br>{{NYCS Broadway-Seventh south|time=show}} (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line at {{stl|NYCS|14th Street|Broadway-Seventh}}) | PATH at {{stl|PATH|14th Street}}<br>M14A / M14D Select Bus Service |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Union Square}} | align=center | {{Access icon}} | {{NYCS Lexington|time=show}} (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)<br>{{NYCS Broadway|time=show}} (BMT Broadway Line) | M14A / M14D Select Bus Service |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Third Avenue}} | | | M14A / M14D Select Bus Service |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|First Avenue}} | align=center | {{Access icon}} | | M14A / M14D Select Bus Service<br>Northbound M15 Select Bus Service |- | style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center" colspan="5"| Brooklyn |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Bedford Avenue}} | align=center | {{Access icon}} | | {{Ferry icon}} '''NYC Ferry''': East River Route (at North Sixth Street west of Kent Avenue) |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Lorimer Street|Canarsie}} | align=center | {{access icon}} | {{NYCS Crosstown|time=show}} (IND Crosstown Line at {{stl|NYCS|Metropolitan Avenue|Crosstown}}) | |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Graham Avenue}} | | | |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Grand Street|Canarsie}} | align=center | {{Access icon}} | | |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Montrose Avenue}} | | | |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Morgan Avenue}} | | | |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Jefferson Street}} | | | |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|DeKalb Avenue|Canarsie}} | | | |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Myrtle–Wyckoff Avenues|Canarsie}} | align=center | {{Access icon}} | {{NYCS Myrtle north|time=show}} (BMT Myrtle Avenue Line) | Some a.m. rush hour trips begin or end their runs to/from Eighth Avenue at this station. Eastern terminal for severe weather trips.<ref>{{cite web|title=New York City Subway Severe Winter Weather|url=https://www.mta.info/map/9471|publisher=MTA|access-date=16 December 2025}}</ref> |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Halsey Street|Canarsie}} | | | |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Wilson Avenue}} | align=center | {{Access icon}} ↑ | | Station is ADA-accessible in the northbound direction only. |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Bushwick Avenue–Aberdeen Street}} | | | |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Broadway Junction|Canarsie}} | | {{NYCS Fulton|time=show}} (IND Fulton Street Line)<br>{{NYCS Jamaica center|time=show}} (BMT Jamaica Line) | |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Atlantic Avenue}} | | | LIRR Atlantic Branch at {{stl|LIRR|East New York}} |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Sutter Avenue}} | | | |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Livonia Avenue}} | align=center | {{Access icon}} | Out-of-system transfer with MetroCard/OMNY:<br>{{NYCS New Lots|time=show}} (IRT New Lots Line at {{stl|NYCS|Junius Street}}) | |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|New Lots Avenue|Canarsie}} | | | B15 bus to JFK Int'l Airport |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|East 105th Street}} | | | Some northbound rush hour trips begin at this station |- | align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} | {{stl|NYCS|Canarsie–Rockaway Parkway}} | align=center | {{Access icon}} | | B82 Select Bus Service; free out-of-station transfer to B42 bus and westbound B6 and B82 buses. |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|L (New York City Subway service)}} * [http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/lline.htm MTA NYC Transit – L 14th Street – Canarsie Local] * {{NYCS const|traintime|L}} * {{NYCS const|timetable|L}}
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# Category:New York City Subway services Category:Railway services introduced in 1924