From dodging subway rats to breathing in the dirty subway air and wondering “what the hell is that that’s dripping from the subway ceiling onto my head?!” there’s many reasons to say the NYC subway system is not the most relaxing travel experience. Though, believe it or not, there is one subway line that’s apparently more relaxing than the rest.
According to a report from sleep apnea equipment retailer CPAP.com, NYC’s Q train has been named the most relaxing train line in the city.
Researchers over at the company analyzed 23 different train routes in NYC based on various metrics including air conditioning on trains and stations, amount of seats on board, on-time service operation, customer satisfaction, city quality of life, and more to determine the best lines in the city. More specifically, they wanted to find which lines were the best for catching some z’s.
The report writes:
Through our analysis, we found that the Q train is the best subway line. With an on-time operation rate of 96.1% and 195.8 million passengers hopping on and off this line at 29 stations per year, the 2nd Avenue/Broadway Express line cements its #1 spot.
Though if you do plan on taking a mid-commute nap, be sure to do so sitting up as laying down and putting your feet up can result in a $50 fine for seat obstruction.
Following behind the Q line is the S 42 St., Franklin Ave., and Rockaway Park Shuttles, servicing 92.3 million passengers each year and operating on time 92.6% of the time, and in third place is the 1 train, servicing 112.2 million passengers each year with an on-time operation of 95.8%.
Not really coming as a surprise is the fact that the most sleep-friendly metro system isn’t located in the U.S. at all–the Sydney Metro in Australia takes the top spot out of the 65 metro stations across the globe, offering passengers the best amenities for getting some rest.
NYC subway ridership has officially reached record numbers in 2024, and though it is servicing the city that never sleeps, if you are looking to get some shut eye the Q line may be your best bet–and be sure to avoid this line which has been named the city’s most unreliable one.
And if you are trying to make your commute as smooth as possible, you can now receive email and text alerts regarding MTA transit service!