We are proposing to swap the F and M tunnels between Manhattan and Queens to improve service to E, F, M, and R lines and that the MTA reverse its decision not to swap the two tunnels. During the track replacement project in the 63rd Street Tunnel, between Manhattan and Queens, all F trains are rerouted through the 53rd Street Tunnel between the two boroughs, while M trains are being short-turned in Midtown Manhattan. This setup eliminates merging conflicts in Queens near the Queens Plaza station, one of the worst in the entire subway system, where M trains must cross in front of E and R trains and F trains in front of E trains to access their correct tracks. 

We are asking that when the project is finished, that the MTA keep the F line on 53rd Street and with full M service restored, the M line is routed via 63rd Street, swapping the two routes.

By having this service change, trains will be faster, more reliable, and more frequent. The Queens Plaza merge frequently delays E, F, M, and R trains. But by instituting this swap, the merge will be eliminated, thus speeding up trains near Queens Plaza.

Also, constant switching and merging of trains makes trains less reliable, as everything needs to be precisely timed to avoid delays. So if an incident happens on the E, F, M, or R lines, the schedules will be thrown into chaos. But by instituting this change to remove this merge, whatever incident that happens on one line won’t have a ripple effect on the whole of the E, F, M, or R lines.

Finally, because of these merges and delays, it increases the runtime of trains. That increased runtime slows down trains and reduces the capacity of train frequencies, which means the overcrowded E, F, M, and R lines will be even more overcrowded since fewer trains are run every hour. But by swapping the F and M lines, this will end the merge at Queens Plaza, thus ending the delays that slow down trains and cut capacity. This means more trains can be run on the E, F, M, and R lines, which opens up possibilities for faster, more frequent, and more reliable service on the E, F, M, and R lines (possibly including more express service in these boroughs) from underserved areas in Brooklyn and Queens with lengthy commutes to Manhattan due to more trains running per hour.

This change can occur at very limited expense, only a rethinking of how we run trains. With ridership rebounding fast on the E, F, M, and R lines, it is imperative that the F and M tunnels be swapped.