The F Sixth Avenue Local is a rapid transit service in the New York City Subway's B Division. Its route bullet is colored orange since it uses the IND Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan.
The F operates at all times between 179th Street in Jamaica, Queens and Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn via Queens Boulevard in Queens, 63rd Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, and Culver in Brooklyn, serving all stops except for an express section in Queens between Forest Hills – 71st Avenue and 21st Street – Queensbridge. During rush hours, alternate trains originate and terminate at Kings Highway in Gravesend, Brooklyn instead of Stillwell Avenue.
History[]
F service officially began on December 15, 1940, operating between 169th Street and Church Avenue via the Queens Boulevard, Sixth Avenue, and Culver lines. It ran express in Queens between Forest Hills – 71st Avenue and Queens Plaza, and served all stops elsewhere.
On December 10, 1950, F service was extended to and from 179th Street when that station opened.
Beginning on August 19, 1968, rush hour express service in Brooklyn between Jay Street – Borough Hall and Neptune Avenue was added, in both directions between Jay Street – Borough Hall and Church Avenue, and in the peak direction only by alternate trains between Church Avenue and Neptune Avenue. On August 30, 1976, Brooklyn express service was completely discontinued, with trains making all stops between Jay Street and Neptune Avenue. This was due to budget cuts and complaints about reduced Manhattan-bound service by riders at local stations.
On December 16, 2001, the 63rd Street Connector officially opened, connecting the IND 63rd Street Line with the IND Queens Boulevard Line. In a controversial move, the local V service replaced the express F service in the heavily trafficked 53rd Street Tunnel between Manhattan and Queens, while F service was rerouted to the 63rd Street Tunnel.
On September 8, 2002, Stillwell Avenue was closed for reconstruction. F service was cut back to Avenue X, and service to Stillwell Avenue was replaced by a shuttle bus. F service returned to Stillwell Avenue on May 23, 2004, upon completion of the construction work.