Without timing it, it sometimes feels faster to just forget the shuttle or the 7 and walk along 42nd street the whole way. I'd be curious how walking and the M42 crosstown bus compares when actually timed.
I had this exact same thought about riding the Shuttle and the 7 train for the best 2 years. Overall I think the S has more potential since it’s a nonstop train from Grand Central to Times Square, however the 7 makes one stop between Times Square and Grand Central at 5th Avenue. Most 7 trains going to 34th St-Hudson Yards run approximately 2-5 minutes while the Shuttle runs every 3-4 minutes depending on how long trains run to each direction.
I rode the rebuilt 6 car (S) shuttle train not too long ago, and it was a very nice ride. However, I was the only passenger on that entire 6 car (S) shuttle to Grand Central. I think working from home and the LIRR's Grand Central services took away a lot of this (S) shuttles ridership. I remember when they were running 3 car R-17's on this (S) Shuttle - and boy it was jam-packed !!! Times have changed.
I believe that if you’re going from the 7th Avenue line to the Lexington Avenue line and vice versa, the 7 train is a better option, simply because there’s less walking involved. And ever since they decommissioned track 2 on the shuttle, there’s even more walking to do at Times Square.
I always thought the shuttle was the faster way to go, and now that it has been completely redone I am even more convinced. Thanks for the vid, looking forward to whatever comes next!
I love race-type videos that test which route is faster, i'd enjoy seeing more content like this on the channel! Another good video could be testing different routes to JFK or LGA from midtown (though that would ofc be much longer)
I think the decision on which route to take depends on what you're doing on the Times Square end. If entering from or exiting to street level closer to 7th Avenue, then take the shuttle. If entering from or exiting to street level closer to 8th Avenue, then take the 7. If transferring to or from the 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R, or W, then take the shuttle. If transferring to or from the A, C, or E, then take the 7.
Thank you for performing this test run experiment. The narrator of this video makes excellent points. The origin point where you hop on the shuttle or the 7 line and the day and time will impact the travel time.
I approve of this type of content.. Likewise, sometimes it's better to go further away to another line then head in, not only stops but lining up for transfers, (especially if you have challenges). Likewise if a platform is closed for work, or you boarded the wrong entrance and it's one direction, go the wrong direction anyways so you can double back.. why pay two fares to correct a poor choice of entrance
New "Which is faster?" The "D" & "B" between 34th street 6th Ave and West 4th Street 6th Ave (especially Southbound) (depending on the motorman); or the "E" between 53st Lexington Ave and Forest Hills-71st. (The "F" is interlined with the E most of the way so it hits high speed too)?
Neat info👍, although something I always do since I live in Ridgewood is that I would always take the (M) to Bryant Park and I would walk To Either Times Square Or Grand Central, and even though the (7) was available I'd always choose to walk and besides Bryant park is beautiful
Might be the shuttle now as it is closer to street level and has one less stop, unless someone wants to go to 8th Avenue, the 7 is closer. The 7 used to be closer for those going to/from 3rd Avenue and east like me, but now that entrance is closed until who knows when.
It depends where exactly you're going on either end. The 7 leaves you closer to 3rd Avenue at Grand Central, while the 42nd Street shuttle leaves you closer to Madison Avenue. Also, I take the 7th Avenue Line to the 7 train and it's basically two flights of stairs down and nothing else, so it depends on if you are at the front of the train or back of the train as well.
Was a crossover switch added on the 7 Line between Grand Central and Fifth Avenue stops because it seems that the train is traveling west on the east bound track? Or did you do some post production having the east train section playing in reverse?
I expected the results to be close because while shuttle skips 5th Avenue, you have to consider the fact that trains tend to pull in slowly to their stations and have long dwell times.
Completing the installation of CBTC on the 42nd Shuttle would shave significant time, because the trains wouldn't have to crawl so slowly into both terminals. This is true for many lines on the system, since most terminal stations don't have tail tracks. The bumper blocks right at the end of the terminal platform require very conservative timer signals with old-fashioned fixed-block signalling. CBTC doesn't have to be so conservative to make sure the train stops before the bumper block.
The unions would raise hell over this, but it would actually make a lot of sense to have the shuttle be fully automated. It needs two train operators on each train, one on each end, to allow for a quick turnaround. If it's fully automated, then they would be able to run the trains continuously with little waiting in between.
It’s a question that I see get brought up and honestly any answer will do. When you think about it, both are faster but in their own ways. It really depends on how you look at it also.
Some awfully strange cars on the 42nd Street Shuttle; they remind me of images of the interiors of Madrid, Spain, subway cars with little to no seating, yet lavish provisions for standees....
It all depends where you are going!! I live in the Bronx and when I use to work on the East side.. I use to take the 2 then the 7 because my job was on 3rd and 40th street which was closest to the 7 train entrance on 42nd and 3rd. It didn’t make sense taking the shuttle in my case.
Whenever I leave Grand Central Terminal, more often than not, I take the 42nd Street Shuttle so I can catch a 1, 2, or 3 train to Penn Station and take the LIRR to any part of Long Island, even Queens. I've certainly considered the new LIRR Line to or from Grand Central Madison next time I'm there.
7 train is actually better if you are going for the bus terminal from Grand Central Terminal there is also another advantage of the 7 over the Shuttle it's 24/7 which means a Shuttle passenger during the late nights must use 7 train
Neither train goes across town. They stop at Grand Central Station on Park Ave. You still have four cross-town blocks to go. The subway needs to go to 1st (or 2nd) Ave.
Obviously the 42 st shuttle because it’s only has 2 stops, but the 7 and shuttle there both good line especially to get access 42nd st and there both the most reliable, and fastest lines in the transit system I think of any line faster than the both of them.
I'd disagree with the initial point that it's better to take the shuttle when transferring from the 7th Ave Lines to a grand central-bound train because the 7 runs directly below the tracks. Even if one were to get off at the northernmost car in a train, I'd still argue that comparable to walk towards the nearest stairway and walk down.
Yeah, they're pretty much the same distance. He also should have taken one of the escalators to get down to the 7 rather than going via the Lexington Ave Platforms. That would have shaved off a good minute.
Thanks for bringing me back to my childhood. I remember my dad taking me on the Times Square shuttle in the 60's. My dad told me this train runs automatic without a motor person. Does anybody know is that true today? Does the shuttle has a train conductor?
That person would be a motorman, until the 1980s when women were allowed to be trained to become motor[women]. Then the title "motorman" became "Train Operator."
In my opinion. And yes anyone can agree or disagree with me but the (7) Train is faster than the (S) Shuttle simply because I don’t even use the (S) Shuttle almost at all and so I prefer to take the (7) Train to Times Square. Even if it’s crowded. You can freely Criticize me anyway you guys want too but that’s in my own opinion.
I would take the 42nd st shuttle but I live right by flushing so I have to take the 7 train all the way to Times sq but most times I would take the shuttle
closing down the 42nd street shuttle would make a lot of sense, because you can also just use the 7 Train and closing down the 42 street shuttle will save the MTA Heaps of Money in Operational costs that could instead be spent improving all the major Express and Local Subways
Without timing it, it sometimes feels faster to just forget the shuttle or the 7 and walk along 42nd street the whole way. I'd be curious how walking and the M42 crosstown bus compares when actually timed.
I had this exact same thought about riding the Shuttle and the 7 train for the best 2 years. Overall I think the S has more potential since it’s a nonstop train from Grand Central to Times Square, however the 7 makes one stop between Times Square and Grand Central at 5th Avenue. Most 7 trains going to 34th St-Hudson Yards run approximately 2-5 minutes while the Shuttle runs every 3-4 minutes depending on how long trains run to each direction.
I rode the rebuilt 6 car (S) shuttle train not too long ago, and it was a very nice ride. However, I was the only passenger on that entire 6 car (S) shuttle to Grand Central. I think working from home and the LIRR's Grand Central services took away a lot of this (S) shuttles ridership. I remember when they were running 3 car R-17's on this (S) Shuttle - and boy it was jam-packed !!! Times have changed.
You should do a video wondering what other places in NYC could use a shuttle.
Yep and where shuttles could be eliminated
@@abbyaidanandalexacosta6656where should shuttles be eliminated? Can’t think of one
Useless ones
I believe that if you’re going from the 7th Avenue line to the Lexington Avenue line and vice versa, the 7 train is a better option, simply because there’s less walking involved. And ever since they decommissioned track 2 on the shuttle, there’s even more walking to do at Times Square.
Yeah I don’t mind taking the longer train if it means walking less, unless I’m in a rush.
I always thought the shuttle was the faster way to go, and now that it has been completely redone I am even more convinced. Thanks for the vid, looking forward to whatever comes next!
I love race-type videos that test which route is faster, i'd enjoy seeing more content like this on the channel! Another good video could be testing different routes to JFK or LGA from midtown (though that would ofc be much longer)
that would be a great resource
The shuttle is faster because the seven trains stop at fifth avenue and the shuttle does not
5 minutes literally saved from a simple answer.
@@Dondeenie better then watching a 8 minute video with millions of ads
@@TrolledByKBR what does this comment have to do with anything. this video isn't 8 minutes dont know if u pulled this from ur ass
@@Dondeenie ur welcome
@@TrolledByKBR Yea
I think the decision on which route to take depends on what you're doing on the Times Square end.
If entering from or exiting to street level closer to 7th Avenue, then take the shuttle.
If entering from or exiting to street level closer to 8th Avenue, then take the 7.
If transferring to or from the 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R, or W, then take the shuttle.
If transferring to or from the A, C, or E, then take the 7.
Depends where you are going on the Grand Central side as well. If you are trying to get to LIRR. Defiantly the shuttle.
also take the 7 if transferring from bd,f,m
Mystic, I think you should make a video on the R68s similar to the one you made on the "R46s, oldest subway in the system"
Thank you for performing this test run experiment. The narrator of this video makes excellent points. The origin point where you hop on the shuttle or the 7 line and the day and time will impact the travel time.
I remember taking the 7 from GC because it was closer to the A train. It’s all about timing and location
Love this type of video, def do more!!
I approve of this type of content..
Likewise, sometimes it's better to go further away to another line then head in, not only stops but lining up for transfers, (especially if you have challenges). Likewise if a platform is closed for work, or you boarded the wrong entrance and it's one direction, go the wrong direction anyways so you can double back.. why pay two fares to correct a poor choice of entrance
New "Which is faster?" The "D" & "B" between 34th street 6th Ave and West 4th Street 6th Ave (especially Southbound) (depending on the motorman); or the "E" between 53st Lexington Ave and Forest Hills-71st. (The "F" is interlined with the E most of the way so it hits high speed too)?
I might make a video like this...
I liked how you didn't race to the trains already in the station. You factored in waiting time for both the S and the 7.
Neat info👍,
although something I always do since I live in Ridgewood is that I would always take the (M) to Bryant Park and I would walk
To Either Times Square Or Grand Central, and even though the (7) was available I'd always choose to walk
and besides Bryant park is beautiful
Might be the shuttle now as it is closer to street level and has one less stop, unless someone wants to go to 8th Avenue, the 7 is closer. The 7 used to be closer for those going to/from 3rd Avenue and east like me, but now that entrance is closed until who knows when.
lol i liked how you called them R42As still i do too
It depends where exactly you're going on either end. The 7 leaves you closer to 3rd Avenue at Grand Central, while the 42nd Street shuttle leaves you closer to Madison Avenue. Also, I take the 7th Avenue Line to the 7 train and it's basically two flights of stairs down and nothing else, so it depends on if you are at the front of the train or back of the train as well.
Would love to see more videos like this ❤❤
Another great video. I would always take the Scuttle getting off the 2 train to go to the Lex Lines. Thank you for assuring my decisions were correct.
Was a crossover switch added on the 7 Line between Grand Central and Fifth Avenue stops because it seems that the train is traveling west on the east bound track? Or did you do some post production having the east train section playing in reverse?
I expected the results to be close because while shuttle skips 5th Avenue, you have to consider the fact that trains tend to pull in slowly to their stations and have long dwell times.
Completing the installation of CBTC on the 42nd Shuttle would shave significant time, because the trains wouldn't have to crawl so slowly into both terminals. This is true for many lines on the system, since most terminal stations don't have tail tracks. The bumper blocks right at the end of the terminal platform require very conservative timer signals with old-fashioned fixed-block signalling. CBTC doesn't have to be so conservative to make sure the train stops before the bumper block.
The unions would raise hell over this, but it would actually make a lot of sense to have the shuttle be fully automated. It needs two train operators on each train, one on each end, to allow for a quick turnaround. If it's fully automated, then they would be able to run the trains continuously with little waiting in between.
After the 1964 failure from the Automatic train operation by the fire, I don't think CBTC will ever be used on the Shuttle.
It’s a question that I see get brought up and honestly any answer will do. When you think about it, both are faster but in their own ways. It really depends on how you look at it also.
Some awfully strange cars on the 42nd Street Shuttle; they remind me of images of the interiors of Madrid, Spain, subway cars with little to no seating, yet lavish provisions for standees....
Plot twist walking is faster
nah facts
It all depends where you are going!! I live in the Bronx and when I use to work on the East side.. I use to take the 2 then the 7 because my job was on 3rd and 40th street which was closest to the 7 train entrance on 42nd and 3rd. It didn’t make sense taking the shuttle in my case.
If the 7 train didn't stop at 5th Avenue, this would be a fairer comparison. Based on that fact alone I expected the shuttle to come out on top.
Whenever I leave Grand Central Terminal, more often than not, I take the 42nd Street Shuttle so I can catch a 1, 2, or 3 train to Penn Station and take the LIRR to any part of Long Island, even Queens. I've certainly considered the new LIRR Line to or from Grand Central Madison next time I'm there.
7 train is actually better if you are going for the bus terminal from Grand Central Terminal there is also another advantage of the 7 over the Shuttle it's 24/7 which means a Shuttle passenger during the late nights must use 7 train
Basically if you look at whatever train time app you have, and they both say the same departure/arrival time, go for the shuttle.
hey i have a suggestion! train station guide or tours or rides with mystic! ofc of you dont like that idea....ijust thought of it.
I prefer the M42 over the subway if I have to go crosstown; it’s less crowded and less walking
I choose the shuttle as being quicker because of the timing of when the next train arrives and the walking distance as well.
Neither train goes across town. They stop at Grand Central Station on Park Ave. You still have four cross-town blocks to go. The subway needs to go to 1st (or 2nd) Ave.
Hey mystic the R211S is here. What do you think of it.
Climbing up from the 7 at Grand Central is enough reason for me to use the shuttle.
You kinda sound like the guy on the PA who talks about delays and closures.
Nice video! I love the 42nd street shuttle
Obviously the 42 st shuttle because it’s only has 2 stops, but the 7 and shuttle there both good line especially to get access 42nd st and there both the most reliable, and fastest lines in the transit system I think of any line faster than the both of them.
I'd disagree with the initial point that it's better to take the shuttle when transferring from the 7th Ave Lines to a grand central-bound train because the 7 runs directly below the tracks. Even if one were to get off at the northernmost car in a train, I'd still argue that comparable to walk towards the nearest stairway and walk down.
Yeah, they're pretty much the same distance. He also should have taken one of the escalators to get down to the 7 rather than going via the Lexington Ave Platforms. That would have shaved off a good minute.
I sort of got mad cause when i was 2-4 i got nightmares about the shuttle
What's faster? It's simple:
Shuttle 42 st exp
7 train 42 st lcl
There you go
Which is faster the Lexington Ave line or the 7av line to brooklyn ?
42nd St Shuttle. Back in my days, THE R62A's on the 7 handed the line horribly. As a former operator, fired just recently.
You got fired for what?
@@DARTHBLUNT713 I didn’t go BIE after a 12-9.
@@WrongLineup bie?
@@WrongLineup I see what you ouch
@@DARTHBLUNT713 I was joking😂
Having to cross a platform to get to another platform is one of the biggest sins in subway design. Just to make the shuttle even more appealing
there is a way to go directly though the way to the 7 train with out going Via the Lexington AVE lines
Now do the trip by bicycle - it will definitely beat out the train by a lot!
As long as you are not waiting long for the subway train, you could be way ahead of time.
Thanks for bringing me back to my childhood. I remember my dad taking me on the Times Square shuttle in the 60's. My dad told me this train runs automatic without a motor person. Does anybody know is that true today? Does the shuttle has a train conductor?
Today, it has a conductor, but in the 60s, it was a pilot test for automatic trains
@ex696 ok, thanks very much
That person would be a motorman, until the 1980s when women were allowed to be trained to become motor[women]. Then the title "motorman" became "Train Operator."
Actually there's always at least 1 train at the shuttle platforms since both track oscillate
Craving some content on the Strong Island Railroad lol
Please do what train is faster r160A or R160B
Would like to see this for the D and 4 Train from 42nd Street to Yankee Stadium
The D train is on the Sixth Avenue Line and at least 2 blocks from Lexington Avenue.
In my opinion. And yes anyone can agree or disagree with me but the (7) Train is faster than the (S) Shuttle simply because I don’t even use the (S) Shuttle almost at all and so I prefer to take the (7) Train to Times Square. Even if it’s crowded. You can freely Criticize me anyway you guys want too but that’s in my own opinion.
The 7 sits below the shuttle so it takes longer to go further down and back up, let alone the extra stop at fifth. It’s the shuttle for the win.
If u need ADA-Accessibility, you need to take the 7️⃣
The Shuttle is quicker however the 7 deals with less crowds to grand central to & from times square
If I'm going to flushing
I'd take the shuttle to skip 5th avenue
I would take the 42nd st shuttle but I live right by flushing so I have to take the 7 train all the way to Times sq but most times I would take the shuttle
I feel the S should be extended somehow to the Ace lines.
Ideal video which is the fastest (run time) express train in the system?
Ooh I like that idea...
Do more videos like this 🎉
Interesting.
train
I still take the M42.
the 7 bc im not walking 6 years to the trash shuttle
Obviously the shuttle. 5 Av exists on the 7, unless it’s closed
Shuttle I chosen
Why did it take so long? For me the S took like 3 mins
Answer: the M42
If the 7 was faster than the Shuttle there would be no point in the Shuttle lol
I swear if the shuttle ends up winning…
Edit: it was by less than 30 seconds. I still think the shuttle is useless.
W Vídeo once again
From 42nd on the f you can only take the 7
Thé 7 train is faster because the forty seven train is slow unless it’s not that line and is a similar line maybe it’s the one that is fatter
7 train would win shuttle sometimes eh
3:48 W hair i cant rlly tell but is that a... afro?!?!
I didn't record that clip.
@@MysticTransit oh
It's a petty comparison.
N espress beats everyone
how dose the mya chose whart uber to give nnnnnew subway train models.
We need English, please
@@blue9multimediagroup how dose the mta train modeling numbering work
Walking?
Never used the 42nd st shuttle, useless for me ngl
The 7 train is faster.
It's not. The shuttle is faster
@@Atrail_Mckinley4786 👍🏻✌🏻
facts
R62S on the 3 Broadway line is also faster.
The shuttle is basically an express version of the 7 in Manhattan as it doesn’t stop at 5th Avenue
Videos
I love you
Ayo?
ayoooooo
@@MysticTransitlmaooo 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣
E
closing down the 42nd street shuttle would make a lot of sense, because you can also just use the 7 Train and closing down the 42 street shuttle will save the MTA Heaps of Money in Operational costs that could instead be spent improving all the major Express and Local Subways
7 will be crowded more since the S takes some of those ppl away from the 7.....
This is such a predictable video lol
First
NO ONE CARES
Also Noah was not first
Really? Because when I first clicked on this video, no one else had left a comment yet.
blud really thought he was first, nope blud thought youtube had zero comments (i can understand)
What r u talking about?