Heads up, subway riders! There are some big changes coming our way this month, and it may throw your daily (or nightly) travel into a bit of a spiral.
Today, the MTA announced that there will be planned service changes on the 4 and 5 trains to allow crews to replace aging track switches between the Bronx and Manhattan. The work will take place from January through February and will mainly affect late-night and weekend service. During this time, 4 trains will run in two separate sections, and 5 trains will operate as a shuttle in the Bronx on select weekends. Riders are encouraged to use the 2 or D trains, Metro-North Railroad, or free shuttle buses as alternatives.
While these changes may temporarily make travel more complicated, the long-term benefits are expected to significantly improve daily commutes for approximately 1.1 million riders. The projects will replace 37-year-old track switches that are critical to moving trains safely and efficiently between the two boroughs. Once installed, the new switches are expected to deliver more reliable service, reduce delays caused by mechanical failures, and support safe operations for at least the next 20 years.
Here are all of the 4 and 5 train changes to look out for.
🚆 4 train changes
4 trains will operate in two separate sections during late nights and select weekends
- Late-night changes (Jan. 5th – Feb. 20th, 11:45 pm – 5:00 am):
- Woodlawn ↔ 149 St–Grand Concourse (Bronx)
- 3 Av–138 St ↔ New Lots Av (Brooklyn), making all local stops in Manhattan
- Weekend changes for five consecutive weekends (Jan. 23rd – Feb. 23rd):
- From 9:45 p.m. Friday to 5 am Monday
- Presidents’ Day weekend extended to 5 am Tuesday
- Some weekday rush-hour 4 trains may be rerouted to 3 Av–138 St between Jan. 26th and Feb. 20th
🚆 5 train changes
5 trains will see weekend service changes only during the construction period
- For five consecutive weekends (Jan. 23rd – Feb. 23rd):
- 5 trains will operate as a shuttle in the Bronx
- Shuttle route: Eastchester–Dyre Av ↔ E 180 St
- Weekday service mostly unchanged
- Between Jan. 26th and Feb. 20th:
- Some rush-hour 5 trains will run on the 2 line
- Affected section: 149 St–Grand Concourse ↔ Nevins St
🚆 Other updates to note
- Free shuttle buses will run between 149 St–Grand Concourse and 3 Av–138 St
- Riders are encouraged to use 2 or D trains as alternatives
- Metro-North Hudson and Harlem Lines are recommended for Bronx travel
- Subway fares will be cross-honored
✅ How to stay informed
- mta.info – real-time service updates and alerts
- MTA App – live arrivals and customer support
- Email alerts – commute-specific and weekend updates
- Call 511 – phone service (711 relay available)
It’s a short-term hassle for a long-term upgrade—riders can look forward to smoother, safer trips for decades to come.