4 (New York City Subway Service) - Service History

Service History

During the extension of the IRT Lexington Avenue Line north of 42nd Street – Grand Central Terminal, shuttle trains served the IRT Jerome Avenue Line (which at the time was only between East 149th Street – Grand Concourse and Kingsbridge Road).

On July 17, 1918, the entire Jerome and Lexington Avenue Lines were completed and the connection to the Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line at 42nd Street was removed. Trains began running between Woodlawn and Bowling Green.

Beginning November 24, 1925, rush hour trains ran to Crown Heights – Utica Avenue. Over the next three years, trains were gradually extended there during other times.

Beginning December 20, 1946, trains were extended from Utica to New Lots Avenue during late nights.

From 1950 to 1957, there was limited rush hour service to Flatbush Avenue on the Nostrand Avenue Line.

Beginning April 8, 1960, late night trains were rerouted to Flatbush Avenue.

Starting in 1979, trains operate local in Manhattan during late night hours to replace the 6, which was shortened to a shuttle between 125th Street and Pelham Bay Park.

Beginning July 10, 1983, the current 4 service was formed, except that midday trains ran only to Atlantic Avenue. On January 18, 1988, those trains were extended to Utica Avenue as well.

From June 8, 2009, to June 26, 2009, New York City Transit conducted a pilot program for express Jerome Avenue Line service. Four morning weekday rush hour trains from Woodlawn stopped at Mosholu Parkway, Burnside Avenue and 149th Street – Grand Concourse before they resumed regular service in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

On October 26, 2009, another 4 express pilot program was implemented based on the success of the first and ran until December 11, 2009. This program was the same as the one in June except that express trains stopped at Bedford Park Boulevard – Lehman College.