{{Short description|New York City Subway station in Queens}} {{Use American English|date=September 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox NYCS | name = Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer | former = Jamaica Center–Parsons Boulevard | image = Jamaica Center Parsons Archer 43.jpg | image_caption = Upper-level platform in 2018 | accessible = yes | address = Parsons Boulevard and Archer Avenue<br />Queens, New York | borough = Queens | locale = Jamaica | coordinates = {{coord|40.702407|N|73.799973|W|display=inline,title}} | division = BMT/IND | line = BMT Archer Avenue Line<br />IND Archer Avenue Line | service = Archer | other = See Jamaica Center Bus Terminal | platforms = 2 island platforms (1 on each level) | tracks = 4 (2 on each level) | levels = 2 | structure = Underground | opened = {{start date and age|1988|12|11}} | services = {{Adjacent stations|system=New York City Subway |line=Archer|left=Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue–JFK Airport|note-left={{NYCS Archer|time=1}}}} | footnotes = {{NYCS infobox legend|alltimes}}{{NYCS infobox legend|rushpeak}} | route_map = {{Routemap|inline=y |legend=track |map-title=Upper level |map= numN285\uvSTRc2\uvSTR3+l\uvENDEeq uvSTRc2\uvSTR3+1\uvSTRc4\ uvSTR+1\uvSTRc4\\ uSHI1+l\uSHI1+r\\\ uPSTR(L)\uPSTR(R)\\\ uPSTR(L)\uPSTR(R)\\\ uPSTR(L)\uPSTR(R)\\\ uPSTR(L)\uPSTR(R)\\\ uSHI1l\uSHI1r\\\ uvÜST\\\ uvSTRfg\\\ uvSTR!~MFADEf\\\ ~~ ~~ ~~ to Sutphin Boulevard |map2-title=Lower level |map2= utvENDEa numN285\d\utvSTR\d\ utvSTR utSHI1+l\utSHI1+r utPSTR(L)\utPSTR(R) utPSTR(L)\utPSTR(R) utPSTR(L)\utPSTR(R) utPSTR(L)\utPSTR(R) utSHI1l\utSHI1r utvÜST utvSTRfg utvSTR!~MFADEf ~~ ~~ ~~ to Sutphin Boulevard }} }}
The '''Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer station''' (formerly the '''Jamaica Center–Parsons Boulevard station''' and sometimes shortened as the '''Jamaica Center station''') is the northern terminal station of the IND and BMT Archer Avenue Lines of the New York City Subway, located at Parsons Boulevard and Archer Avenue in Jamaica, Queens. It is served by E and J trains at all times, as well as Z trains during rush hours in the peak direction.
This station opened on December 11, 1988, as Jamaica Center–Parsons Boulevard, and was renamed in 2004. The station is a major transfer point for buses from eastern Queens, and replaces the old 160th Street and 168th Street stations of the BMT Jamaica Line; the Jamaica Center station is located near the site of the former. It is also near the site of the Long Island Rail Road's now-demolished Union Hall Street station. The station is announced as '''Jamaica Center''' on E trains.
== History ==
=== Construction and opening === The plans for the Archer Avenue Lines emerged in the 1960s under the city and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)'s Program for Action.<ref name="int-arch">{{cite web | title=Full text of "Metropolitan transportation, a program for action. Report to Nelson A. Rockefeller, Governor of New York." | website=Internet Archive | date=November 7, 1967 | url=https://archive.org/stream/metropolitantran00newy/metropolitantran00newy_djvu.txt | access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> The Archer Avenue subway's groundbreaking took place on August 15, 1972, at Archer Avenue and 151st Street,<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Shapiro |first=Hal |date=August 16, 1972 |title=A Groundbreaking... With an Eye on the El |work=Long Island Press}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=McCallum |first=Ann |date=February 3, 1974 |title=Something Big Under Archer Avenue–a Subway |page=9 |work=Long Island Press}}</ref> and the station's design started on December 7, 1973.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|13}} By July 1974, when the federal government announced its approval of a $51.1 million ({{inflation|index=US|value=51100000|start_year=1974|fmt=eq}}) grant for the project, the Parsons Boulevard station was expected to be used by 8,700 passengers during rush hours.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Portnoy |first=Sandra |date=July 3, 1974 |title=U.S. Puts $51 Million in Archer Ave. Turnstile |work=Long Island Press}}</ref> Construction of two {{Convert|200|feet|meters|adj=on}} tunnels under the nine tracks of the LIRR Main Line in Jamaica began in January 1976. This section, connecting to the Archer Avenue Line's upper-level platform. started at Archer Avenue near 159th Street and ending about {{Convert|150|feet|meters|abbr=}} south of South Road near the Atlantic Branch, passing underneath the center of the York College campus.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Rabin |first=Bernard |date=March 6, 1975 |title=New Subway's Burrowing Along |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35645755/daily_news/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905201947/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35645755/daily_news/ |archive-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref> The two tunnels were completed in May 1976;<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=May 23, 1976 |title=2 Jamaica Tunnels Completed |work=Long Island Press}}</ref> south of these tunnel segments, the line would have been extended south several hundred yards, but this extension was never built.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |last=Rabin |first=Bernard |date=September 26, 1980 |title=Archer Ave. Subway Gets $40 Million Fed Boost |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35645803/daily_news/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905201923/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35645803/daily_news/ |archive-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref>
On September 26, 1980, $40 million of federal funding was transferred to the MTA to build the connection to the Jamaica Line, to complete the Parsons Boulevard station, and the installation of track along the line, including the section south of that station to South Road and 158th Street. Work continued on the connection to the Queens Boulevard Line.<ref name=":14" /> The project's opening date at this juncture was October 1984.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Logan |first=Betti |date=September 26, 1980 |title=U.S. Pledges Aid For Archer Ave. Subway Project |work=Newsday}}</ref> Plans for the station were completed in-house on June 17, 1981.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|13}} Bids on the station construction were received on September 21, 1981, and was awarded to A. J. Pegno Construction Corporation for $22,425,415 ({{inflation|index=US|value=22425415|start_year=1981|fmt=eq}}). Work on the station commenced on October 12, 1981.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Archer Avenue Extension Ceremony 1988|date=December 1988|publisher=New York City Transit Authority}}</ref>{{Rp|13}}
Because of the 1975 New York City fiscal crisis, the Archer Avenue Line was never fully built to Springfield Boulevard, and was instead truncated to Parsons Boulevard. The shortened version of the line contained three stations and was {{convert|2|mi|km}} long.<ref name=NYTimes-NYCS-BigChanges-1988 /> In October 1980, the MTA considered stopping work on the line and on the 63rd Street Line, due to its budget crisis and the bad state of the existing subway system.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Allen |first=Joy |date=October 11, 1980 |title=Manes Warns MTA on Subways Vows to Fight Any Move to Suspend Extension of Two Lines to Pay for Maintenance. |work=Newsday}}</ref> Due to lack of money, all bidding on new subway and bus projects for the MTA was suspended in 1981, except for the already-built portions of the 63rd Street and Archer Avenue lines, which were allowed to continue.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cummings |first=Judith |date=February 25, 1981 |title=Subway Maintenance Cited As 'Emergency'; Bddng Is Suspended |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/25/nyregion/subway-maintenance-cited-as-emergency-bidding-is-suspended.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916054422/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/25/nyregion/subway-maintenance-cited-as-emergency-bidding-is-suspended.html |archive-date=September 16, 2017 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In September 1983, the project was 80 percent complete, and was expected to be in operation in fall 1985.<ref name=":11">{{Cite news |last=Rabin |first=Bernard |date=September 26, 1983 |title=Archer Ave. Subway 2 Years Away: MTA |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35645607/daily_news/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905201920/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35645607/daily_news/ |archive-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref> Construction was completed a year ahead of schedule, in 1983, but was delayed for several more years due to various disputes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schmalz |first1=Jeffrey |date=August 18, 1985 |title=U.S. Holds Up Ad For Subway Work |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/18/nyregion/us-holds-up-aid-for-subway-work.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524170818/http://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/18/nyregion/us-holds-up-aid-for-subway-work.html |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The station opened along with the rest of the Archer Avenue Line on December 11, 1988.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Anders |first1=Marjorie |last2=Associated Press |date=December 11, 1988 |title=Subways Get Biggest Change Since 1904 |page=I1 |work=Nyack Journal News |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FNyack%2520NY%2520Journal%2520News%2FNyack%2520NY%2520Journal%2520News%25201988%2FNyack%2520NY%2520Journal%2520News%25201988%252002928_2.pdf |access-date=April 17, 2020 |via=fultonhistory.com}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-NYCS-BigChanges-1988">{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Kirk |date=December 9, 1988 |title=Big Changes For Subways Are to Begin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/09/nyregion/big-changes-for-subways-are-to-begin.html?pagewanted=all |access-date=April 17, 2020 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>
=== Post-opening === On December 14, 1991, a display titled "Astoria–Dreams of New York," a {{Convert|32|feet|meters|abbr=}}-long mural, consisting of seven portraits of first-generation Greek immigrants was removed from the station for not including any pictures of African Americans, seven days after going up.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/07/nyregion/settling-a-subway-art-dispute-artfully.html|title=Settling a Subway Art Dispute, Artfully: Photos Are Reinstalled but Artist Must Explain Her Work to Critics|last=Finder|first=Alan|date=February 7, 1992|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 10, 2024}}</ref> The artist, Eugenia Marketou, called the decision "censorship of the worst kind." The piece was removed at the request of the directors of the Arts for Transit program after a negative public reaction, which included their defacement with graffiti and protest stickers. A dozen African American riders had complained to the agency. On the same date, a $70,000 sculpture called "Jamaica Center Stations Riders, Blue," which was created by well-known African American artist Sam Gilliam, was unveiled at the station. The sculpture was funded through the MTA Arts for Transit program, which allocates 1 percent of capital construction costs for art projects.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Am I Blue? Just Ask IND's New Sculpture|last=Leahy|first=Jack|date=December 15, 1991|work=New York Daily News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Art Exhibit Goes Off the Wall|last=Cox|first=Robert B.|date=December 20, 1991|work=Newsday}}</ref> After negotiations between Marketou and his agency took place, it was reinstalled on February 6, 1992, with a banner stating "Portraits of the Greek Immigrant Community" added in addition to the tile. In addition, Marketou agreed to appear in front of it during three rush hours to explain it. One of the photographs was removed in the following two weeks. The exhibit was only scheduled to stay until May 6, 1992.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Subway Exhibit Reinstalled|date=February 18, 1992|work=Newsday}}</ref>
To save energy, the MTA installed variable-speed escalators at Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer and three other subway stations in August 2008,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chan |first=Sewell |date=August 6, 2008 |title=M.T.A. Rolls Out Escalators With Conservation Features |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/nyregion/06escalators.html |access-date=October 10, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> although not all of the escalators initially functioned as intended.<ref>{{cite web |last=Chan |first=Sewell |date=August 11, 2008 |title=Bumpy Start for 'Green' Subway Escalators |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/11/bumpy-start-for-green-subway-escalators/ |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>
In 2020, the MTA announced that it would reconstruct the track and third rail on the IND Archer Avenue Line, which had become deteriorated. From September 19 to November 2, 2020, E service was cut back to Jamaica–Van Wyck, with a shuttle bus connecting to Sutphin Boulevard and Jamaica Center.<ref>{{cite web|date=August 17, 2020|title=Press Release – NYC Transit – MTA to Perform Critical Track Replacement Work at End of E Line in Queens Next Month|url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/nyc-transit/mta-perform-critical-track-replacement-work-end-e-line-queens-next-month|access-date=August 18, 2020|website=MTA|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818094440/http://www.mta.info/press-release/nyc-transit/mta-perform-critical-track-replacement-work-end-e-line-queens-next-month|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Pozarycki|first=Robert|date=August 28, 2020|title=Two Queens Meetings on Major Track Work at End of E Line in Jamaica|url=https://www.amny.com/transit/two-queens-meetings-on-major-track-work-at-end-of-e-line-in-jamaica/|access-date=September 19, 2020|website=amNewYork|language=en-US|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929011118/https://www.amny.com/transit/two-queens-meetings-on-major-track-work-at-end-of-e-line-in-jamaica/|url-status=live}}</ref> The MTA then announced it would reconstruct the track on the BMT Archer Avenue Line.<ref name="Parry 2022"/> Starting on July 1, 2022, J service was cut back to 121st Street, and Z service was temporarily discontinued,<ref name="Spectrum News NY1 New York City 2022">{{cite web | title=MTA to alter service to complete track replacement project | website=Spectrum News NY1 New York City | date=June 3, 2022 | url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transit/2022/06/03/mta-to-alter-service-to-complete-track-replacement-project | access-date=June 30, 2022 | archive-date=June 30, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630155734/https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transit/2022/06/03/mta-to-alter-service-to-complete-track-replacement-project | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Parry 2022"/> with a shuttle bus connecting to Sutphin Boulevard and Jamaica Center.<ref name="Parry 2022">{{cite web | last=Parry | first=Bill | title=MTA track replacement work will shut down J and Z lines in southeast Queens for much of summer | website=QNS.com | date=June 6, 2022 | url=https://qns.com/2022/06/mta-track-replacement-j-z-lines-southeast-queens/ | access-date=June 30, 2022}}</ref> The work was completed in September 2022.<ref name="Railway Track and Structures 2022">{{cite web | title=MTA to begin final phase of critical track replacement work in Queens next month | website=Railway Track and Structures | date=June 6, 2022 | url=https://www.rtands.com/track-construction/mta-to-begin-final-phase-of-critical-track-replacement-work-in-queens-next-month/ | access-date=June 30, 2022 | archive-date=June 13, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613082045/https://www.rtands.com/track-construction/mta-to-begin-final-phase-of-critical-track-replacement-work-in-queens-next-month/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The lower-level platform underwent structural and esthetic renovations in mid-2023.<ref name="Parry 2023 l220">{{cite web | last=Parry | first=Bill | title=MTA refurbishes subway station in Jamaica, offering riders a safer, cleaner experience | website=QNS.com | date=June 26, 2023 | url=https://qns.com/2023/06/mta-refurbishes-jamaica-subway-station/ | access-date=January 15, 2024}}</ref>
==Station layout== {{NYCS Platform Layout BMT/IND Archer Avenue Line}} {{multiple image | align = left | direction = vertical | width = 250 | image1 = Jamaica Center Parsons Archer 19.jpg | alt1 = | caption1 = A view of the upper level | image2 = Jamaica Center vc.jpg | alt2 = | caption2 = A view of the lower level | total_width = }} The Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer station contains two levels, each with two tracks and an island platform.<ref name="DCP-2007">{{Cite book |url=https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/planning/download/pdf/applicants/env-review/jamaica/17_feis.pdf |title=Jamaica Rezoning Final Environmental Impact Statement |publisher=New York City Department of City Planning |page=17.4 |chapter=17: Transit and Pedestrians |access-date=April 1, 2021 |date=2007}}</ref><ref>{{NYCS const|trackref}}</ref> The E train serves the upper level (IND)<ref name="DCP-2007"/> at all times.<ref>{{NYCS const|timetable|e}}</ref> The J and Z trains serve the lower level (BMT);<ref name="DCP-2007"/> the former operates all times and the latter operates during rush hours in the peak direction.<ref>{{NYCS const|timetable|j}}</ref> The station is the eastern terminus of all service; the next stop to the west is Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue–JFK Airport.<ref name=submap>{{NYCS const|map}}</ref> Like the other stations on the Archer Avenue Line, Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer is fully ADA-accessible.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MTA Accessible Stations|url=https://new.mta.info/accessibility/stations|access-date=January 27, 2021|website=MTA|language=en}}</ref> Both platforms are {{Convert|600|ft|0}} in length, standard for a full-length B Division train; however, since BMT Eastern Division trains are only {{Convert|480|ft|0}} long, there are fences at both of the unused ends of the lower-level platforms to prevent passengers from falling onto the tracks. Fixed platform barriers, which are intended to prevent commuters falling to the tracks, are positioned near the platform edges throughout the lengths of both platforms.<ref name=Wassef202507>{{cite web | last=Wassef | first=Mira | title=Platform barriers installed at 56 subway stations in NYC | website=PIX11 | date=July 18, 2025 | url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/platform-barriers-installed-at-56-subway-station-in-nyc/ | access-date=July 21, 2025}}</ref><ref name=Russo-Lennon202507>{{cite web | last=Russo-Lennon | first=Barbara | title=These are the NYC subway stations that now have protective platform barriers | website=amNewYork | date=July 20, 2025 | url=https://www.amny.com/nyc-transit/platform-barriers-nyc-subway-stations/ | access-date=July 21, 2025}}</ref>
As with other stations constructed as part of the Program for Action, the Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer station contained technologically advanced features such as air-cooling, noise insulation, CCTV monitors, public announcement systems, electronic platform signage, and escalator and elevator entrances.<ref name=nyt-1976-08-07>{{Cite news|last=Burks|first=Edward C.|date=August 7, 1976|title=New York Improving Subways, But Still Trails Foreign Cities|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/08/07/archives/new-york-improving-subways-but-still-trails-foreign-cities.html|access-date=July 14, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> This station has ten escalators and two elevators.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|13}}
This station has tan brick walls and red brick floor on both levels. The coved trapezoidal ceilings are suspended<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|13}} and have metal slats.
===Exits===
There are two entrances to this station. The first one is at the very east end of the station and connects with Parsons Boulevard. It contains a mezzanine that has four escalators, two to each platform, and an ADA-accessible elevator serving both platforms. There is a large, single bank of turnstiles with nine turnstiles leading to fare control.<ref name="DCP-2007"/> One wide staircase and one escalator leads to a pavilion behind the streets at the northeast corner of Parsons Boulevard and Archer Avenue. A narrower staircase and escalator leads to the southeast corner.<ref name="DCP-2007"/> An elevator is present near the southeast corner of the intersection.<ref name="MTA Accessible Stations">{{cite web | title=MTA Accessible Stations | website=MTA | date=July 11, 2022 | url=https://new.mta.info/accessibility/stations | access-date=January 20, 2023}}</ref> This entrance contains a 1991 artwork called ''Jamaica Center Station Riders'' by Sam Gilliam made up of blue painted aluminum.<ref name=MTAJamaicaMap-2015>{{cite web|title=MTA Neighborhood Maps: Jamaica|url=http://web.mta.info/maps/neighborhoods/qns/Q10_Jamaica_2015.pdf|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=June 30, 2015|date=2015|archive-date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713094757/http://web.mta.info/maps/neighborhoods/qns/Q10_Jamaica_2015.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The second exit is near the middle of the platforms and connects with 153rd Street. Each platform contains two escalators to the mezzanine; the upper level also has one staircase to the mezzanine, while the lower level has two. In this mezzanine, there are fire regular turnstiles, five High Entry-Exit Turnstiles, and two high exit-only turnstiles.<ref name="DCP-2007"/> This entrance has three street stairs; two of them, one of which also has an up-only escalator, lead up to the south side of Archer Avenue outside the bus boarding area.<ref name="DCP-2007"/><ref name=MTAJamaicaMap-2015/> The staircase with the escalator has a brickwork design surrounding it while the other staircase at this entrance has an ultra-wide green metal fence. There is another staircase at the northeast corner of Archer Avenue and 153rd Street.<ref name=MTAJamaicaMap-2015/>
===Infrastructure=== West of the station, both levels feature diamond crossovers, which are halfway between this station and Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue.<ref>{{NYCS const|trackref|nycsubway}}</ref>
The tracks on both levels extend past the station for possible future extensions, but are currently used for storage.<ref name=Raskin-RoutesNotTaken-2013/><ref name=QueensSubwayEIS-1984>{{cite book|title=Queens Subway Options Study, New York: Environmental Impact Statement|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NaI4AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA83|access-date=July 10, 2016|date=May 1984|publisher=United States Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Urban Mass Transit Administration|pages=83–}}</ref> On the lower level, they continue one train length of about {{convert|480|ft|m}} and end at bumper blocks at 160th Street;<ref name=QueensSubwayEIS-1984/><ref name="MTA-ArcherAvDEIS-1973">{{cite book|title=Archer Ave Route (Proposed) Construction, Queens: Environmental Impact Statement|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wd43AQAAMAAJ|access-date=August 6, 2016|date=August 1973|publisher=Urban Mass Transit Administration, United States Department of Transportation}}</ref> they were originally planned to extend as far as Merrick Boulevard.<ref name="MTA-ArcherAvDEIS-1973"/> This was a planned extension toward 190th Street–Hollis Avenue (near the Hollis LIRR station). Where the lower level tracks end, there is a provision for a diamond crossover switch at the end of the tunnel (under 160th Street).<ref name=NYTimes-ArcherGrndbk-Oct1973 /><ref name="MTA-ArcherAvDEIS-1973"/> On the upper level, the tracks extend around {{convert|2,000|ft}} or just over 3 train lengths of about {{convert|600|ft|m}}, curving south under the LIRR Atlantic Branch {{convert|60|ft}} below ground. They then run under 160th Street within the York College campus and end at bumper blocks near Tuskegee Airmen Way (formerly South Road).<ref name=Raskin-RoutesNotTaken-2013>{{Cite Routes Not Taken}}</ref><ref name=QueensSubwayEIS-1984/><ref name="MTA-ArcherAvDEIS-1973"/><ref name=NYTimes-ArcherProgress-1975>{{cite web|last1=Burks|first1=Edward C.|title=Building Progresses On Subway In Jamaica|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1975/03/09/84995599.pdf|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 27, 2015|date=March 9, 1975}}</ref><ref name=NYTimes-63StLightEndTunnel-1976>{{cite web|last1=Burks|first1=Edward C.|title=Coming: Light at End of 63d St. Tunnel|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1976/09/24/79780193.pdf|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 27, 2015|date=September 24, 1976}}</ref> This was the site of the line's original groundbreaking in 1973.<ref name=NYTimes-ArcherGrndbk-Oct1973/> The plan was for this line to use the LIRR Locust Manor Branch (Atlantic) ROW and run to Springfield Boulevard or Rosedale LIRR station.<ref name=NYTimes-63StLightEndTunnel-1976/><ref name=NYTimes-ArcherGrndbk-Oct1973>{{cite web|last1=Burks|first1=Edward C.|title=Work Begun on Queens Subway Extension|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1973/10/24/80809618.pdf|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 26, 2015|date=October 24, 1973}}</ref><ref name="MTA-ArcherAvDEIS-1973"/> Where the upper level tracks stub end, there is a provision for a portal to go outside if the line going to Southeastern Queens is ever built.<ref name=NYTimes-ArcherGrndbk-Oct1973/><ref name="MTA-ArcherAvDEIS-1973"/> The tunnel was originally planned to curve west towards the Atlantic ROW just north of Liberty Avenue, running underneath the York College Athletic Field.<ref name="MTA-ArcherAvDEIS-1973" />
East of the upper-level platform, a Central Instrument Room (753CIR) is located deep in the tunnel on track D2A (upper level) bench wall.
East of the station, next to the D1A tail track on the upper level, the tunnel catwalk structure widens, and the track curves south along with the D2A track. Where the catwalk structure ends, there is a stairway to the lower level tail tracks.
==Ridership== In 2018, the station had 10,681,269 boardings, making it the 27th most used station in the {{NYCS const|number|intl}}-station system. This amounted to an average of 36,368 passengers per weekday.<ref name="riderref"/>
== Gallery == <gallery heights="200" mode="packed"> File:Jamaica Center Parsons Archer td (2019-02-20) 01.jpg|The western mezzanine File:Parsons Bl Archer Av td (2019-03-27) 01 - One Jamaica Center.jpg|The main entrance, located at the northeast corner of Archer Avenue and Parsons Boulevard </gallery>
==Jamaica Center Bus Terminal== {{See also|List of bus routes in Queens|List of bus routes in Nassau County, New York}}
250px|right|thumb|The Jamaica Center Bus Terminal can be found at some of the exits.
The subway complex includes the '''Jamaica Center Bus Terminal''', a series of bus stops located along Archer Avenue (primarily along the south side of the street next to the LIRR right of way). The bus stop areas are lettered A through H. The western portion of the terminal (bays F through H and the bus layover area) is also known as the "Teardrop Canopy".<ref name="JamaicaBusImprovement-OpenHouse-2011">{{cite web|title=Jamaica Bus Improvement Study|url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/brt/downloads/pdf/20110517_jamaica-open-house-posters.pdf|website=nyc.gov|publisher=New York City Department of Transportation|access-date=April 10, 2016|date=May 17, 2011}}</ref> It serves as a major transit hub within Jamaica.<ref name=MTAJamaicaMap-2015/> The former 160th Street Jamaica Elevated station on Jamaica Avenue that it replaced was also a major hub for trolley service when it was originally built.<ref name=Seyfried-LIER-JamaicaCtrl/><ref name=Seyfried-NYQnsCounty-Steinway/> Several of the trolley lines were the predecessors to current bus service.<ref name=Seyfried-LIER-JamaicaCtrl>{{cite web|author1=Seyfried, Vincent F.|author-link=Vincent F. Seyfried|title=Full Text of "Story of the Long Island Electric Railway and the Jamaica Central Railways, 1894–1933 /"|url=https://archive.org/stream/storyoflongislan00seyf/storyoflongislan00seyf_djvu.txt|website=archive.org|publisher=F. E. Reifschneider|access-date=December 20, 2015|date=1961}}</ref><ref name=Seyfried-NYQnsCounty-Steinway>{{cite web|author1=Seyfried, Vincent F.|author-link=Vincent F. Seyfried|title=Full Text of "New York and Queens County Railway and the Steinway Lines, 1867–1939."|url=https://archive.org/stream/newyorkqueenscou00seyf/newyorkqueenscou00seyf_djvu.txt|website=archive.org|publisher=Vincent F. Seyfried|access-date=December 20, 2015|date=1950}}</ref>
Jamaica Center is also a hub for dollar vans in the New York metropolitan area.
{{-}} {| class=wikitable !Route !Jamaica terminal<br>(if not the Jamaica Center Bus Terminal) !Other terminal !via !Notes |- !colspan=5|MTA Bus |- !valign=top|<div id=Q6>Q6</div> | rowspan="3" |168th Street Bus Terminal |JFK International Airport |Jamaica Avenue, Sutphin Boulevard,<br>Rockaway Boulevard, North Boundary Road | |- !valign=top|<div id=Q8>Q8</div> |Spring Creek |Jamaica Avenue, 101st Avenue, Fountain Avenue | |- !valign=top|<div id=Q9>Q9</div> |South Ozone Park |Jamaica Avenue, Supthin Boulevard, Liberty Avenue,<br>135th Street (Northbound), Van Wyck Expressway Service Road (Southbound), Lincoln Street | |- !valign=top|<div id=Q25>Q25</div> |Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue<br>– JFK Airport Subway station |College Point |Parsons Boulevard, Kissena Boulevard, 127th Street | |- !valign=top|<div id=Q41>Q41</div> |168th Street Bus Terminal |Howard Beach |Lakewood Avenue, 109th Avenue, Cross Bay Boulevard | |- !valign=top|<div id=Q65>Q65</div> |Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue<br>– JFK Airport Subway station |Flushing–Main Street Subway Station |164th Street, 45th Avenue |Originally the NY&QC Flushing-Jamaica and College Point trolley lines |- !valign=top|<div id=Q110>Q110</div> |88th Avenue and Parsons Boulevard |Floral Park, New York |Jamaica Avenue | |- !valign=top|<div id=Q111>Q111</div> |Parsons Boulevard Subway station |Rosedale or Cedarhurst |'''All trips:''' Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, 147th Avenue,<br>'''Cedarhurst trips:''' Rosedale Road, Peninsula Boulevard |Originally Queens portion of the LIER Far Rockaway Line |- !valign=top|<div id=Q112>Q112</div> |88th Avenue and Parsons Boulevard |Euclid Avenue Subway station |South Road, Liberty Avenue | |- !valign=top|<div id=Q113>Q113</div> | rowspan="3" |Parsons Boulevard Subway station |rowspan=2|Far Rockaway |Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, Rockaway Boulevard,<br>Nassau Expressway |rowspan=2| * Originally the LIER Far Rockaway Line * Evenings and overnights, no Q113 service operates at this time. Use the Q114 or Q115. |- !valign=top|<div id=Q114>Q114</div> |Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, 147th Avenue, Rockaway Turnpike |- ! valign="top" |<div id="Q114">Q115</div> |Laurelton |Guy R. Brewer Boulevard | |- !colspan=5|NYCT Bus |- !valign=top|<div id=Q4>Q4</div> |colspan=2 align=center | to Cambria Heights |Merrick Boulevard, Linden Boulevard | |- ! valign="top" |<div id="Q5">Q5</div> | colspan="2" align="center" | to Laurelton; Rosedale LIRR station; or Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream |Merrick Boulevard, Hook Creek Boulevard, Sunrise Highway |Green Acres Mall on weekends only, Rosedale on weekend nights only |- ! valign="top" |<div id="Q24">Q20</div> |Merrick Boulevard and Archer Avenue |College Point |Archer Avenue, Main Street, Union Street, 20th Avenue | |- ! valign="top" |<div id="Q24">Q24</div> |88th Avenue and Parsons Boulevard |Bushwick |Jamaica/Archer Avenues, Atlantic Avenue, Broadway (Brooklyn) | |- !valign=top|<div id=Q30>Q30</div> | rowspan="2" align="center" | Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue<br>– JFK Airport Subway station | align="center" |Little Neck |Homelawn Street, Utopia Parkway, Horace Harding Expressway | |- !valign=top|<div id=Q31>Q31</div> | align="center" |Bay Terrace |Jamaica/Archer Avenues, Homelawn Street, Utopia Parkway,<br>47th/48th Avenues, Bell Boulevard | |- !valign=top|<div id=Q42>Q42</div> |colspan=2 style="text-align:center;" |to Addisleigh Park |Liberty Avenue, 174th Street, Sayres Avenue | |- !valign=top|<div id=Q44 SBS>Q44 SBS</div> |Merrick Boulevard and Archer Avenue |West Farms |Archer Avenue, Main Street, Union Street, Parsons Boulevard,<br>Whitestone Expressway, Cross Bronx Expressway |Travels via the Whitestone Bridge between Queens and the Bronx |- !valign=top|<div id=Q54>Q54</div> |rowspan=2 | 170th Street & Jamaica Avenue |Williamsburg Bridge Plaza Bus Terminal |Jamaica Avenue, Metropolitan Avenue, Grand Street |rowspan=2 | Successors to BMT streetcar service |- ! valign="top" |<div id="Q56">Q56</div> |Broadway Junction Subway station |Jamaica Avenue |- !valign=top|<div id=Q75>Q75</div> | align="center" | Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue<br>– JFK Airport Subway station | align="center" |Queensborough Community College |Homelawn Street, Utopia Parkway, Horace Harding Expressway, Springfield Boulevard | Weekday only route |- ! valign="top" |<div id="Q83">Q83</div> |Parsons Boulevard Subway station |Cambria Heights |Liberty Avenue, Murdock Avenue | |- !valign=top|<div id=Q84>Q84</div> |colspan=2 align=center | to Laurelton |Merrick Boulevard, 120th Avenue | |- !valign=top|<div id=Q85>Q85</div> |colspan=2 align=center | to Rosedale |Merrick Boulevard, Bedell Street, Conduit Avenue, 243rd Street |Part of the former NY&LIT Brooklyn-Freeport Line |- ! valign="top" |<div id="Q5L">Q86</div> | colspan="2" align="center" | to Rosedale |Merrick Boulevard, Brookville Boulevard, 243rd Street || |- ! valign="top" |<div id="Q5L">Q87</div> | colspan="2" align="center" |to Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream |Merrick Boulevard, Hook Creek Boulevard, Sunrise Highway | |- ! valign="top" |<div id="Q5L">Q89</div> | colspan="2" align="center" |to Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream |Merrick Boulevard, Bedell Street, Conduit Avenue, Sunrise Highway |Part of the former NY&LIT Brooklyn-Freeport Line |- !colspan=5|NICE Bus |- !valign=top|<div id=n4>n4</div> |colspan=2 align=center | to Freeport |Merrick Road, Merrick Boulevard |Part of the former NY&LIT Brooklyn-Freeport Line |- !valign=top|<div id=n4X>n4X</div> |colspan=2 align=center | to Freeport |Merrick Road, Merrick Boulevard |Express to Freeport Station Weekdays Only |- |}
==Nearby points of interest== * King Manor<ref name="MTA-NameofNeighborhood-2015">{{cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/maps/neighborhoods/qns/Q10_Jamaica_2015.pdf|title=MTA Neighborhood Maps: Jamaica|date=2015|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=April 12, 2020|archive-date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713094757/http://web.mta.info/maps/neighborhoods/qns/Q10_Jamaica_2015.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> * York College<ref name="MTA-NameofNeighborhood-2015" /> * Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning<ref name="MTA-NameofNeighborhood-2015" />
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Jamaica Center – Parsons/Archer (New York City Subway)}} * {{NYCS ref|http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/IND_Queens_Boulevard_Line|IND Queens Boulevard Line|Jamaica Center/Parsons–Archer}} * Station Reporter — [https://web.archive.org/web/20150113015344/http://www.stationreporter.net/etrain.htm E Train] * Station Reporter — [https://web.archive.org/web/20121108033658/http://www.stationreporter.net/jtrain.htm J Train] * The Subway Nut — [http://www.subwaynut.com/ct/jamaica_centere/index.php Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer Pictures] * MTA's Arts For Transit — [http://web.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/permart.html?agency=nyct&line=E&station=1 Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer] * [https://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.702472,-73.799887&spn=0,359.986567&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.70251,-73.799704&panoid=uac1oahjRWWKZCbEq_urnQ&cbp=12,346.65,,0,0.69 Parsons Boulevard entrance from Google Maps Street View] * [https://maps.google.com/?ll=40.701992,-73.801861&spn=0.006157,0.011061&layer=c&cbll=40.701993,-73.801853&panoid=Gu8AC-r0LriHLw-ERDjpmA&cbp=12,164.31,,0,0&t=m&z=17 153rd Street entrance from Google Maps Street View] * [https://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.701813,-73.802601&spn=0,359.986567&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.701844,-73.802494&panoid=JwKk7BlueeKQ1KrVE6qPLg&cbp=12,161.27,,0,-0.54 158th Street entrance from Google Maps Street View] * [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7019653,-73.8017426,3a,75y,104.39h,95.44t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1s-t1K72LTQ2ZU%2FWEoD1E7b3QI%2FAAAAAAAAU2M%2FA_ZW2a8KTzYOfo6ublf5RrHKNUuFb3bBACLIB!2e4!3e11!6s%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2F-t1K72LTQ2ZU%2FWEoD1E7b3QI%2FAAAAAAAAU2M%2FA_ZW2a8KTzYOfo6ublf5RrHKNUuFb3bBACLIB%2Fw203-h100-p-k-no%2F!7i9728!8i4864!4m3!8m2!3m1!1e1 Upper level from Google Maps Street View] * [https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/103237729589375373179/photos/@40.7019844,-73.8021622,3a,75y,98.28h,85.93t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1s-MDNiCIt1A2M%2FWJAO6W_0X3I%2FAAAAAAAAeAQ%2Fp4pg0tHVOTURIPJhvtbW__i0RHhyXRdqgCLIB!2e4!3e11!6s%2F%2Flh4.googleusercontent.com%2F-MDNiCIt1A2M%2FWJAO6W_0X3I%2FAAAAAAAAeAQ%2Fp4pg0tHVOTURIPJhvtbW__i0RHhyXRdqgCLIB%2Fw203-h100-p-k-no%2F!7i9728!8i4864!4m3!8m2!3m1!1e1!6m1!1e1 Lower level from Google Maps Street View]
{{Jamaica, Queens}} {{NYCS stations navbox by service|le=y|lj=y|lz=y}} {{NYCS stations navbox by line|archer=yes}} {{MTA RBO}} {{JFK Airport}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jamaica Center - Parsons Archer (New York City Subway)}} Category:Archer Avenue Line stations Category:Program for Action Category:New York City Subway stations in Queens, New York Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1988 Category:New York City Subway transfer stations Category:Jamaica, Queens Category:1988 establishments in New York City Category:New York City Subway terminals