View source for 4 (New York City Subway service)

{{short description|Rapid transit service}}
{{for|the former Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation 4 service|N (New York City Subway service)}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NYCS service
| service = 4
| name = Lexington Avenue Express
| image1 = File:Woodlawn Bound 4.jpg
| size1 = 250px
| caption1 = A [[Woodlawn station (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)|Woodlawn]]-bound 4 train of [[R142A (New York City Subway car)|R142As]] leaving [[Bedford Park Boulevard–Lehman College station|Bedford Park Boulevard–Lehman College]].
| north term = [[Woodlawn (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)|Woodlawn]]
| south term = [[Crown Heights–Utica Avenue (IRT Eastern Parkway Line)|Crown Heights–Utica Avenue]] (daytime) <br />[[New Lots Avenue (IRT New Lots Line)|New Lots Avenue]] (late nights & limited rush hour service)
| stations = 28<br />54 (late night service)
| note = dashed line shows late night and limited weekday rush hour service to/from [[New Lots Avenue (IRT New Lots Line)|New Lots Avenue]]
| depot = [[Jerome Yard]]
| started = {{start date and age|1917|06|02}}
| map = {{switcher
|{{maplink-road|from=4 (New York City Subway service).map}}
|Show interactive map
|{{4 (New York City Subway service)}}
|Show route diagram
}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}
The '''4 Lexington Avenue Express'''<ref name="timetable">{{NYCS const|timetable|4}}</ref> is a [[rapid transit]] service in the [[A Division (New York City Subway)|A Division]] of the [[New York City Subway]]. Its route emblem, or "bullet", is colored {{NYCS const|color|green}} since it uses the [[IRT Lexington Avenue Line]] in [[Manhattan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/developers/resources/line_colors.htm|title=Mta.info &#124; Line Colors|website=web.mta.info|access-date=March 11, 2015|archive-date=October 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016104324/http://web.mta.info/developers/resources/line_colors.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 4 operates 24 hours daily, although service patterns vary based on the time of day. Daytime service operates between [[Woodlawn (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)|Woodlawn]] in [[the Bronx]] and [[Crown Heights–Utica Avenue (IRT Eastern Parkway Line)|Utica Avenue]] in [[Crown Heights, Brooklyn]], making all stops in Bronx and express stops in Manhattan and Brooklyn; limited rush hour service, as well as overnight service, is extended beyond Utica Avenue and originates and terminates at [[New Lots Avenue (IRT New Lots Line)|New Lots Avenue]] in [[East New York, Brooklyn]]. During rush hours in the peak direction, the 4 skips [[138th Street–Grand Concourse (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)|138th Street–Grand Concourse]].{{efn|Trains skip 138th Street southbound between 6:52 and 9 a.m.<ref name="138S">{{cite web|url=https://transitfeeds.com/p/mta/79/latest/stop/416S/20210819|title=138 St-Grand Concourse – OpenMobilityData|website=transitfeeds.com|date=August 19, 2021|access-date=August 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819045052/https://transitfeeds.com/p/mta/79/latest/stop/416S/20210819|archive-date=August 19, 2021}}</ref> and skip it northbound between 4:46 and 6:27 p.m.<ref name="138N">{{cite web|url=https://transitfeeds.com/p/mta/79/latest/stop/416N/20210819|title=138 St-Grand Concourse – OpenMobilityData|website=transitfeeds.com|date=August 19, 2021|access-date=August 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819045430/https://transitfeeds.com/p/mta/79/latest/stop/416N/20210819|archive-date=August 19, 2021}}</ref>}} Overnight service makes all stops along the full route, but skips [[Hoyt Street (IRT Eastern Parkway Line)|Hoyt Street]] in both directions. For up to an hour after evening events that are held at [[Yankee Stadium]], a special downtown-only express service runs between {{Station|161st Street–Yankee Stadium}} and {{Station|Bowling Green}}.

Until 1983, rush hour 4 trains originated and terminated at [[Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College (IRT Nostrand Avenue Line)|Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College]] in [[Brooklyn]].

== Service history ==

<div class="thumb tleft">
{| width="80"
|[[File:R12 IRT 4.gif|64px]]
|-
|<div class="thumbcaption"> Original [[R12 (New York City Subway car)|R12]] to [[R36 (New York City Subway car)|R36]] end rollsign</div>
|}
</div>
<div class="thumb tleft">
{| width="80"
|[[File:4 (1967-1979 New York City Subway bullet).svg]]
|-
|<div class="thumbcaption">November 26, 1967 – June 1979 bullet</div>
|}
</div>

===Under the Interborough Rapid Transit===
Service on what was later known as the 4 began on June 2, 1917, as the first portion of the [[IRT Jerome Avenue Line]] opened between 149th Street-Grand Concourse and Kingsbridge Road. Since the extension of the [[IRT Lexington Avenue Line]] between 149th Street and Grand Central was not yet open, this section was served by shuttle trains using elevated train cars.<ref name="erictb.info">{{Cite web|url=http://www.erictb.info/linehistory.html|title=NYCT Line by Line History|website=erictb.info|access-date=September 23, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100921/http://www.erictb.info/linehistory.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 15, 1918, with the extension of the Jerome Avenue Line to Woodlawn, shuttle service was also extended. On July 17, 1918, the Lexington Avenue Line local tracks were opened, allowing another shuttle service to run between 149th Street–Grand Concourse and Grand Central. On August 1, 1918, the entire Jerome and Lexington Avenue Lines were completed and the connection to the [[IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line]] at 42nd Street was removed. Trains began running between 167th Street and Bowling Green, with shuttles to Woodlawn.<ref name="erictb.info" />

On December 11, 1921, Lexington Avenue–Jerome Avenue subway trains began running north of [[167th Street station (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)|167th Street]] at all times replacing elevated trains, which ran to Woodlawn during rush hours, but from then on terminated at 167th Street during non-rush hours.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pudl.princeton.edu/sheetreader.php?obj=e75de858-4334-4238-bc92-399e37286bbb|title=An Improvement in Service for Passengers on the Jerome Avenue Line North of 167th Street|date=December 11, 1921|website=pudl.princeton.edu|publisher=Interborough Rapid Transit Company|access-date=September 19, 2016|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630022250/http://pudl.princeton.edu/sheetreader.php?obj=e75de858-4334-4238-bc92-399e37286bbb|url-status=live}}</ref>

At a hearing of the New York State Transit Commission on October 15, 1924, about where it planned to allocate the second 100 of 350 new steel cars, it was announced that service on the IRT Eastern Parkway Line from Atlantic Avenue to Livonia Avenue was almost certainly going to be increased by 25 to 50% in the coming six to eight weeks. Two options were discussed at the hearing. The commission, in response to intense requests from riders on the line, called for the introduction of express service between Atlantic Avenue and Utica Avenue on tracks which had been unused since the line's opening in 1920. It proposed extending half of 4 trains from Atlantic Avenue to New Lots Avenue, running express to Utica Avenue. The introduction of express service would have made it possible to run 30 more trains per hour east of Atlantic Avenue (27 trains per hour had been operating), decreasing overcrowding from 325% to 185%. The plan preferred by the IRT was to place 70 cars on the West Side Line for service to Flatbush Avenue, and Pennsylvania Avenue and New Lots Avenue, and 40 additional cars for service along Eastern Parkway.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35414638/times-union/|title=I.R.T. Will Get Increased Service To Livonia Avenue: Practically Certain That 100 New Cars Will Be Put on Eastern Parkway Line.|date=October 16, 1924|work=Brooklyn Times Union|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629085224/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35414638/times-union/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 17, 1924, the Transit Commission ordered the IRT to use 100 new subway cars to increase service by no later than December 1. Among the changes in service ordered was the operation of through service on the 4 between Kingsbridge Road and Woodlawn, eliminating shuttle service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35414795/times-union/|title=Transit Board Orders I.R.T. To Increase Service: Demands More Trains in Rush Hour by Use of New Cars.|date=November 17, 1924|work=Brooklyn Times Union|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627190504/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35414795/times-union/|url-status=live}}</ref> This change was made possible by twenty of the new cars.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35414748/the-brooklyn-citizen/|title=100 I.R.T. Cars To Be Used On Borough Lines|date=November 17, 1924|work=The Brooklyn Citizen|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630000920/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35414748/the-brooklyn-citizen/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Transit Commission heeded the IRT's recommendation not to have half of 4 trains run express due to the dangerous operating condition it would have created. The IRT stated that two minutes would not be enough time to turn around trains terminating at Atlantic Avenue while maintaining the headway between trains and that this service pattern would risk train collisions. Operating this service pattern would have required {{frac|2|3|4}} minutes to turn around trains, which would reduce capacity by 25%. While operating all 4 trains to Utica Avenue would have obviated the problem, the IRT did not have enough cars to run such a service. Instead, the Transit Commission accepted the IRT's plan to allocate 70 new cars to West Side express service to Brooklyn.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35414788/the-standard-union/|title=Orders I.R.T. To Improve Service|date=November 17, 1924|work=Brooklyn Standard Union|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627190512/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35414788/the-standard-union/|url-status=live}}</ref> Express service along Eastern Parkway would start at the earliest in February 1925 when additional new cars arrived.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35414740/the-brooklyn-citizen/|title=Hundred I.R.T. Cars To Bring Big Relief In Eastern Parkway: New Equipment, Recently Delivered, Will Increase Service 30 Per Cent. On Important Borough Lines, Commissioner McAneny Announces. Opening of Express Service Between Utica and Atlantic Aves. Off 3 Months.|date=November 17, 1924|work=The Brooklyn Citizen|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629172058/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35414740/the-brooklyn-citizen/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Beginning on November 4, 1925, 4 trains were extended from Atlantic Avenue to [[Crown Heights–Utica Avenue (IRT Eastern Parkway Line)|Utica Avenue]] during rush hours, from 6:30 to 9:30&nbsp;a.m. and 5 to 7&nbsp;p.m., allowing for the introduction of express service along this section of the [[IRT Eastern Parkway Line]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pudl.princeton.edu/sheetreader.php?obj=f5217622-5c01-49b6-b3d1-bef13f813a0a|title=Increased I.R.T. Subway Service in Brooklyn|date=November 1925|website=pudl.princeton.edu|publisher=Interborough Rapid Transit Company|access-date=September 19, 2016|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627190511/http://pudl.princeton.edu/sheetreader.php?obj=f5217622-5c01-49b6-b3d1-bef13f813a0a|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46595852/the-standard-union/|title=At Least I.R.T. Expresses Will Run Under Parkway: Two Tracks Will End Their Long Career of Idleness a Week from Wednesday.|date=October 25, 1925|work=Brooklyn Standard Union|access-date=March 12, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627190509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46595852/the-standard-union/|url-status=live}}</ref> This extension was made possible by the delivery of the last of 350 new steel cars.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35415064/the-standard-union/|title=More I.R.T. Trains For Rush Hours To Operate Tomorrow: Brooklyn Gets Improved Service at Cost of $3,000,000—President Hedley Makes Inspection Trip.|date=November 3, 1925|work=Brooklyn Standard Union|access-date=March 12, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627190511/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/35415064/the-standard-union/|url-status=live}}</ref> The increased service required 80 cars, or eight trains of ten cars each.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46596083/times-union/|title=I.R.T. Will Start Express Service In Boro Nov. 4: Ninety New Cars Added on Flatbush Ave. And Eastern Parkway Lines. Rush Hour Aid First. Three Million Dollar Outlay Will Mean 20 to 100 P.C. Better Handling of Crowds.|date=October 25, 1925|work=Brooklyn Times Union|access-date=March 12, 2020|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630205738/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46596083/times-union/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 23, 1927, evening 4 service was extended from Atlantic Avenue to Utica Avenue between 7:14 and 8:00&nbsp;p.m. After the Transit Commission determined that this was not a sufficient increase in service, it announced on November 26 that evening 4 service to Utica Avenue would continue until 1&nbsp;a.m. This change took place on December 5, and increased service between Atlantic Avenue and Utica Avenue by 100%.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46594743/times-union/|title=100 P.C. Increase In I.R.T. Service: More Trains on Schedule Between Atlantic and Utica Avenues at Night.|date=November 27, 1927|work=Brooklyn Times Union|access-date=March 12, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627190507/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46594743/times-union/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, midday 4 service also went to Utica Avenue.<ref name="erictb.info" />

In April 1930, service was increased from running every 6 minutes to every 5 minutes heading southbound at 125th Street between 6 and 8 p.m. and from running every 8 minutes to every 6 minutes northbound at 125th Street between 7:30 and 9:00&nbsp;p.m. In addition, trains that had formerly terminated at South Ferry from 7:26&nbsp;p.m. to 8:44&nbsp;p.m. were extended to Utica Avenue.<ref>{{Cite book |last=New York (State). Transit Commission. |url=http://archive.org/details/annualreport1019newy |title=Tenth Annual Report, 1930 |date=1930 |publisher=Albany, N.Y. : J.B. Lyon Co. |others=Columbia University Libraries}}</ref>

The span of Sunday express service from Utica Avenue was extended by 54 minutes on February 22, 1931, with express service beginning at 12:56&nbsp;p.m. instead of 1:50&nbsp;p.m. Effective April 13, 1931, trains that terminated at Atlantic Avenue between 12:45 and 2:45&nbsp;a.m. on Mondays were extended to Utica Avenue to reduce a transfer for riders at Nevins Street and to provide service from Manhattan's East Side to Utica Avenue every ten minutes. On July 12, 1931, Sunday late night trains that terminated at Atlantic Avenue until 2:40&nbsp;a.m. were extended to Utica Avenue.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/annualreport1119newy/|title=Eleventh Annual Report For The Calendar Year 1931|year=1922|publisher=New York State Transit Commission|pages=78–79}}</ref>

As of 1934, 4 trains ran from Woodlawn to Utica Avenue weekday rush and Saturday morning peak and afternoon; to Atlantic Avenue weekday midday, Saturday morning after the peak, and late nights; and to South Ferry evenings and Sundays. Trains ran express in Manhattan, except during late nights, and in Brooklyn. This was the first time the 6 became the Pelham Shuttle between Pelham Bay Park and 125th Street–Lexington Avenue.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}}

On August 20, 1938, Saturday morning after peak service was extended to Utica Avenue.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}}

===Under the New York City Board of Transportation===

Beginning on May 10, 1946, all 4 trains were made express during late nights running on twelve-minute headways as the 6 went back to Brooklyn Bridge during that time. Previously 4 trains ran local from 12:30 to 5:30&nbsp;a.m. At this time 4 trains terminated at Atlantic Avenue.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1946/05/09/100997388.pdf|title = 24-Hour Express Service on IRT To Become Effective at Midnight|date = May 9, 1946|access-date = February 21, 2016|newspaper = New York Times|archive-date = December 31, 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231231222406/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1946/05/09/100997388.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="BOT-1949">{{Cite book|title=Report for the Three and One-Half Years Ending June 30, 1949.|date=1949|publisher=New York City Board of Transportation|hdl = 2027/mdp.39015023094926}}</ref>

Beginning on December 16, 1946, trains were extended from Atlantic Avenue to New Lots Avenue during late nights, running express between Atlantic and Franklin Avenues.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1946/12/12/305817632.pdf|title = City to Increase Subway Service On the IRT and BMT Lines Today|date = December 12, 1946|access-date = February 21, 2016|newspaper = New York Times|archive-date = January 21, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240121234229/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1946/12/12/305817632.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status = live}}</ref>

The IRT routes were given numbered designations with the introduction of [[List of New York City Subway R-type contracts|"R-type" rolling stock]], which contained [[rollsign|rollsign curtains]] with numbered designations for each service. The first such fleet, the [[R12 (New York City Subway car)|R12]], was put into service in 1948.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Nicole |title=How did the MTA subway lines get their letter or number? NYCurious |website=amNewYork |date=May 17, 2019 |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/nyc-subway-name-1-31116195/ |access-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302020704/https://www.amny.com/transit/nyc-subway-name-1-31116195/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Lexington–Jerome route became known as the 4.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Friedlander |first1=Alex |last2=Lonto |first2=Arthur |last3=Raudenbush |first3=Henry |date=April 1960 |title=A Summary of Services on the IRT Division, NYCTA |url=https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1960/1960-01-bulletin.pdf |journal=New York Division Bulletin |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=3 |access-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914232631/https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1960/1960-01-bulletin.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

During 1950, Saturday morning service was cut back to South Ferry.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}}

Starting on December 15, 1950, four 4 trains began operating during rush hours in the peak direction to and from [[Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College (IRT Nostrand Avenue Line)|Flatbush Avenue]] on the [[IRT Nostrand Avenue Line|Nostrand Avenue Line]], with the four trains in the AM rush hour leaving every 16 minutes between 7:59 and 8:47&nbsp;a.m., and the four trains in the PM rush hour arriving every 16–20 minutes between 5:20 and 6:13&nbsp;p.m.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/12/15/archives/brooklyn-irt-change-4-lexington-avenue-expresses-to-serve-flatbush.html|title=Brooklyn I.R.T. Change; 4 Lexington Avenue Expresses to Serve Flatbush Station|date=December 15, 1950|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 22, 2016|archive-date=January 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107005553/https://www.nytimes.com/1950/12/15/archives/brooklyn-irt-change-4-lexington-avenue-expresses-to-serve-flatbush.html?searchResultPosition=2|url-status=live}}</ref> Also on that day, weekday midday service was cut back from Atlantic Avenue to South Ferry. Additionally, on January 18, 1952, 4 service to Atlantic Avenue during weekday middays was restored.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1952/01/10/93341886.pdf|title = Changes on I.R.T. Set: Additional Express Service on Brooklyn, Flushing Lines Day|date = January 10, 1952|access-date = January 25, 2016|newspaper = New York Times|archive-date = January 21, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240121234230/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1952/01/10/93341886.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status = live}}</ref>

===Under the New York City Transit Authority===

On March 19, 1954, late-night service in Brooklyn became local, but resumed operating express between Atlantic and Franklin Avenues on June 29, 1956.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}}

On May 3, 1957, the weekday rush trains to Flatbush Avenue were discontinued, while at the same time evening, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon trains were extended to Utica Avenue, while Sunday morning trains were extended to Atlantic Avenue.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}}

Starting on March 1, 1960, late-night 4 trains resumed making all stops in Manhattan; this was the first time the 4 and 6 ran local in Manhattan together late nights. This arrangement ended on October 17, 1965, when the 4 went back express in Manhattan late nights.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}}

Beginning on April 8, 1960, nearly all morning rush hour 4 trains ran to Flatbush Avenue, and evening rush hour 4 trains alternated between Flatbush and Utica Avenues. During weekday evenings and late nights 4 trains also went to Flatbush Avenue, making all stops in Brooklyn.<ref name="erictb.info" /> On November 14, 1966, three trains that terminated at Utica Avenue were rerouted to terminate at Flatbush Avenue.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=February 1967|title=IRT Change, Painting, Uniforms, Other NYCTA Notes|url=https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1967/1967-02-bulletin.pdf|journal=New York Division Bulletin|publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association|volume=10|issue=1|pages=7|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=December 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209004001/https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1967/1967-02-bulletin.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

As a result of the opening of the main portion of the [[Chrystie Street Connection]] along the [[Manhattan Bridge]] on November 26, 1967, the 4 train was color-coded magenta under the first color scheme. The color coding of lines was introduced as a matter of having a universal system of signage and nomenclature.

By 1972, the 4 began to skip 138th Street weekdays during rush hours in the peak direction which it continues to do (mornings to Manhattan and evenings from there). At that time, the 4 went to Atlantic Avenue at all times but was extended to Utica Avenue rush hours running express in Brooklyn along Eastern Parkway. Select 4 trains also ran to Flatbush Avenue rush hours as well running express between Atlantic and Franklin Avenues, and late-night service made all stops in Brooklyn to Flatbush Avenue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/caption.pl?/img/maps/system_1972.jpg|title=1972 New York City Subway Map|date=1972|website=nycsubway.org|publisher=New York City Transit Authority|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415090220/https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/caption.pl?%2Fimg%2Fmaps%2Fsystem_1972.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 23, 1976, Sunday morning trains were extended to Utica Avenue, running express in Brooklyn.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}}

Effective June 1979, the 4 train assumed its current line color of forest green as a result of a nomenclature update to assign colors to a trunk line, plus line colors not serving Manhattan.<ref name="Hertz-Gothamist">{{cite web|title=Michael Hertz, Designer of the NYC Subway Map|url=http://gothamist.com/2007/08/03/michael_hertz_d.php|last=Hogarty|first=Dave|date=August 3, 2007|work=[[Gothamist]]|access-date=July 4, 2009|archive-date=August 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818012400/http://gothamist.com/2007/08/03/michael_hertz_d.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Beginning on January 13, 1980, all 4 trains resumed operating local in Manhattan during late night hours to replace the {{NYCS|6}}, which again became the Pelham Shuttle between [[125th Street (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)|125th Street]] and [[Pelham Bay Park (IRT Pelham Line)|Pelham Bay Park]].<ref name="erictb.info" /><ref>{{Cite journal|date=December 1979|title=January 1980 IRT Service Changes|journal=New York Division Bulletin}}</ref> This service cut affected 15,000 riders and was criticized by Manhattan Borough President [[Andrew Stein]] as no public hearing was held.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/433946217/?terms=%22subway%22%2B%22service%2Bcut%22|title=Suit Seeks to Bar Cutbacks on Lexington Ave. Subways|date=January 11, 1980|work=New York Daily News|access-date=August 14, 2018|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109181917/https://www.newspapers.com/image/433946217/?terms=%22subway%22%2B%22service%2Bcut%22|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 10, 1983, rush hour 4 trains were rerouted from Flatbush Avenue to Utica Avenue, and late evening and late night and Sunday morning service was rerouted from Flatbush Avenue to New Lots Avenue, making all local stops.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=July 1983|title=New IRT Schedules – Increased Service to Flatbush Avenue|journal=New York Division Bulletin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%252000253_1.pdf%23xml%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffffa28002b6%26DocId%3D6932839%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520X%26HitCount%3D11%26hits%3D5fa%2B5fb%2B5fc%2B5fd%2B5fe%2B5ff%2B600%2B601%2B602%2B603%2B604%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%252000253_1.pdf&xml=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffffa28002b6%26DocId%3D6932839%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520X%26HitCount%3D11%26hits%3D5fa%2B5fb%2B5fc%2B5fd%2B5fe%2B5ff%2B600%2B601%2B602%2B603%2B604%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false|title=Notice of Public Hearing|date=February 26, 1983|work=New York Amsterdam News|access-date=January 13, 2020|archive-date=January 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125021952/https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%252000253_1.pdf%23xml%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffffa28002b6%26DocId%3D6932839%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520X%26HitCount%3D11%26hits%3D5fa%2B5fb%2B5fc%2B5fd%2B5fe%2B5ff%2B600%2B601%2B602%2B603%2B604%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520Amsterdam%2520News%25201983%252000253_1.pdf&xml=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffffa28002b6%26DocId%3D6932839%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520X%26HitCount%3D11%26hits%3D5fa%2B5fb%2B5fc%2B5fd%2B5fe%2B5ff%2B600%2B601%2B602%2B603%2B604%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false|url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 29, 1988, weekday midday 4 trains were extended from Atlantic Avenue to Utica Avenue, made possible by the termination of 5 service at Bowling Green.<ref name="1989Changes" /><ref name="erictb.info" /> In addition, service was increased 50% during evenings between 8&nbsp;p.m. and midnight, on Saturday afternoon, and on Sunday between 10&nbsp;a.m. and 7&nbsp;p.m. In January 1989, during middays, southbound service resumed operating express between Franklin Avenue and Utica Avenue following the elimination of 5 train layups.<ref name="1989Changes" />

Late night express service was reinstated from January 21, 1990, to October 5 of that year, as a result of the 6 being extended back to Brooklyn Bridge during that time.<ref name="1989Changes">*{{Cite book|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/46694885825/in/album-72157706539432321/|title=Annual Report on 1989 Rapid Routes Schedules and Service Planning|date=June 1, 1990|publisher=New York City Transit Authority, Operations Planning Department|page=26|access-date=May 27, 2019|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004143008/https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/46694885825/in/album-72157706539432321/|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/46694885115/in/album-72157706539432321/|title=Annual Report on 1989 Rapid Routes Schedules and Service Planning|date=June 1, 1990|publisher=New York City Transit Authority, Operations Planning Department|page=27|access-date=May 27, 2019|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004143007/https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/46694885115/in/album-72157706539432321/|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/40644004553/in/album-72157706539432321/|title=Annual Report on 1989 Rapid Routes Schedules and Service Planning|date=June 1, 1990|publisher=New York City Transit Authority, Operations Planning Department|page=28|access-date=May 27, 2019|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004143008/https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/40644004553/in/album-72157706539432321/|url-status=live}}</ref> While late night 6 service to Brooklyn Bridge was permanently restored on October 3, 1999, the 4 continued to run local at those times, providing Lexington Avenue local stations service every ten minutes.<ref name="1999Change">* {{cite book|title=May 1999 NYC Transit Committee Agenda|date=May 13, 1999|via=Flickr|access-date=March 13, 2020|publisher=New York City Transit Authority|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/48536123271/in/photostream/|page=144|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914182650/https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/48536123271/in/photostream/|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|title=May 1999 NYC Transit Committee Agenda|date=May 13, 1999|via=Flickr|access-date=March 13, 2020|publisher=New York City Transit Authority|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/48536270792/in/photostream/|pages=145–146|archive-date=September 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914184532/https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/48536270792/in/photostream/|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|title=May 1999 NYC Transit Committee Agenda|date=May 13, 1999|via=Flickr|access-date=March 13, 2020|publisher=New York City Transit Authority|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/48536269727/in/photostream/|page=147|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109181918/https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/48536269727/in/photostream/|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|title=May 1999 NYC Transit Committee Agenda|date=May 13, 1999|via=Flickr|access-date=March 13, 2020|publisher=New York City Transit Authority|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/48536268767/in/photostream/|page=148|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109181943/https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/48536268767/in/photostream/|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|title=May 1999 NYC Transit Committee Agenda|date=May 13, 1999|via=Flickr|access-date=March 13, 2020|publisher=New York City Transit Authority|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/48536267922/in/photostream/|page=149|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828192939/https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/48536267922/in/photostream/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 1991, a reduction of service along the Eastern Parkway corridor to remove excess capacity was proposed. Weekend daytime 4 service would be extended beyond its terminal at [[Crown Heights–Utica Avenue (IRT Eastern Parkway Line)|Utica Avenue]] and originate and terminate at [[New Lots Avenue (IRT New Lots Line)|New Lots Avenue]]. Trains would operate local in Brooklyn south of Franklin Avenue. This service change would have been implemented in July 1991, pending approval from the MTA board.<ref>{{cite web |title=1991 Service Capacity Plan |url=http://www.laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu/pages/FileBrowser.aspx?LinkToFile=FILES_DOC/QUEENS_FILES/03.012.0231.030147.2.PDF#undefined |publisher=New York City Transit Authority |access-date=September 18, 2024 |page=202 |date=January 4, 1991}}</ref>

=== Recent changes ===
[[File:161st St Yankee Stadium td (2019-03-15) 14 - IRT.jpg|thumb|Manhattan-bound 4 train of [[R142 (New York City Subway car)|R142s]] entering [[161st Street–Yankee Stadium (New York City Subway)|161st Street–Yankee Stadium]]]]

From April 2000 to August 2001, midday 4 service was temporarily cut back from Utica Avenue to Atlantic Avenue to accommodate the rebuilding of the [[IRT New Lots Line]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Timetable for Subway Service on the 4 Train Effective Spring 2000|date=April 2000|publisher=New York City Transit}}</ref> 3 train service was split into two sections to allow for the line to be rebuilt, with transfers available at Utica Avenue. Work took place on weekday middays between 10&nbsp;a.m. and 3&nbsp;p.m., and New Lots service operated in one of three ways: shuttle buses replaced trains, all trains operated in both directions on a single track, or shuttle trains ran. 4 trains terminated at Atlantic Avenue when shuttle or single-track trains were in operation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/service/subsrvno.htm#FourLine|title=Weekly Subway Service Advisories Updated Nov 9, 2000|date=November 9, 2000|website=mta.nyc.ny.us|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001109144600/http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/service/subsrvno.htm#FourLine|archive-date=November 9, 2000|access-date=March 19, 2020}}</ref>

After the [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001]] attacks, 4 service was initially split in two sections, with the northern section operating between Woodlawn and Grand Central–42nd Street or Brooklyn Bridge and the southern section operating between Atlantic Avenue and New Lots Avenue. There was no southbound service between Grand Central and Brooklyn Bridge, which meant southbound trains discharged at Grand Central, operated out of service to Brooklyn Bridge, and re-entered service at Brooklyn Bridge in the northbound direction. By the evening of September 12, service was restored along the full route, but trains skipped 14th Street–Union Square in both directions. By September 17, trains were only skipping Wall Street, which reopened on the evening of September 19.<ref>{{cite journal |title=World Trade Center Destroyed |journal=The Bulletin |url=https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2000s/2001/2001-10-bulletin.pdf |date=October 2001 |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association |volume=44 |number=10 |pages=2-3 |access-date=March 30, 2025}}</ref>

From June 8 to June 26, 2009, New York City Transit conducted a pilot program for express Jerome Avenue Line service. During a one hour period, four morning weekday rush hour trains from Woodlawn only stopped at Mosholu Parkway, Burnside Avenue and 149th Street–Grand Concourse before resuming regular service in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The express was expected to save riders {{frac|3|1|2}} minutes. The pilot was made possible due to signaling upgrades to the line's center track made as part of the 2005–2009 Metropolitan Transportation Authority Capital Program.<ref name="MTA-June2009Pilot">{{cite press release|title=MTA New York City Transit Pilots Bronx Express Service Along the Jerome Ave. Line|url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/nyc-transit/mta-new-york-city-transit-pilots-bronx-express-service-along-jerome-ave|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|date=June 4, 2009|access-date=June 8, 2009|archive-date=December 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224235042/http://www.mta.info/press-release/nyc-transit/mta-new-york-city-transit-pilots-bronx-express-service-along-jerome-ave|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/events/BronxExpressPilot.htm|title=Bronx Express Pilot Program June 8 to 26, Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 8 AM|date=June 10, 2009|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090610212200/http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/events/BronxExpressPilot.htm|archive-date=June 10, 2009|access-date=September 23, 2016}}</ref>

On July 6, 2009, select Bronx-bound 4 trains began running express from 167th Street to Burnside Avenue to terminate at the latter station before running out of service to the Jerome Yard.

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 (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)|Bedford Park Boulevard–Lehman College]]. This express service was expected to cut runtime by 4 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/events/BronxExpressPilot.htm|title=Bronx Express Phase II October 26 to December 11, Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 8:20 AM|date=November 22, 2009|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122100652/http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/events/BronxExpressPilot.htm|archive-date=November 22, 2009|access-date=September 23, 2016}}</ref>

As a result of planned repairs to [[Hurricane Sandy]]-related damage in the Clark Street Tube, which carries the [[IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line]], the 4 was extended to New Lots Avenue on weekends from June 17, 2017, to June 24, 2018, making local stops in Brooklyn south of [[Nevins Street (IRT Eastern Parkway Line)|Nevins Street]] in place of the {{NYCS|3}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/161212_1000_Transit.pdf|title=Transit & Bus Committee Meeting December 2016|date=December 12, 2016|website=mta.info|publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]|pages=PDF–169 to PDF–175|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210041234/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/161212_1000_Transit.pdf|archive-date=December 10, 2016|access-date=December 9, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/sandy/sandy_recovery_work.htm|title=Clark St Tunnel Reconstruction Weekend Service Changes|date=June 8, 2017|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608184832/http://web.mta.info/sandy/sandy_recovery_work.htm|archive-date=June 8, 2017|access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref>

On November 17, 2019, New York City Transit made adjustments to weekday evening 3, 4, and 5 service in order to accommodate planned subway work. Late night 4 service to New Lots Avenue started an hour earlier, at 10:30&nbsp;p.m. instead of 11:30&nbsp;p.m., replacing 3 service, which was cut back to [[Times Square–42nd Street station|Times Square–42nd Street]]. This change, which was approved by the MTA Board on June 27, 2019, was expected to save the agency $900,000 annually.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/190624_1030_Transit.pdf|title=Transit and Bus Committee Meeting June 2019|date=June 24, 2019|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|pages=94–97|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=July 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725161749/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/190624_1030_Transit.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://new.mta.info/document/9446|title=5 Subway Timetable Effective November 17, 2019|date=November 17, 2019|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=January 12, 2020|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123084117/https://new.mta.info/document/9446|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Route ==

=== Service pattern ===
The following table shows the lines used by the 4, with shaded boxes indicating the route at the specified times:<ref>{{NYCS const|serviceguide}}</ref><ref name="EPLCLN">{{cite web|url=https://transitfeeds.com/p/mta/79/latest/trip/ASP21GEN-4098-Weekday-00_033300_4..N01R|title=5:33 AM – 6:51 AM Woodlawn – OpenMobilityData|website=transitfeeds.com|date=August 8, 2021|access-date=August 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808205023/https://transitfeeds.com/p/mta/79/latest/trip/ASP21GEN-4098-Weekday-00_033300_4..N01R|archive-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref><ref name="EPLCLS">{{cite web|url=https://transitfeeds.com/p/mta/79/latest/trip/ASP21GEN-4098-Weekday-00_030450_4..S05R|title=5:04 AM – 6:13 AM Crown Hts-Utica Av – OpenMobilityData|website=transitfeeds.com|date=August 8, 2021|access-date=August 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808205554/https://transitfeeds.com/p/mta/79/latest/trip/ASP21GEN-4098-Weekday-00_030450_4..S05R|archive-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:95%"
! rowspan=2 | Line
! rowspan=2 | From
! rowspan=2 | To
! rowspan=2 | Tracks
! colspan=3 | Times
|-
! width=40 | all {{abbr|ex.|except}} nights
! width=40 | late nights
! width=40 | rush hours
|-
| rowspan="6" | [[IRT Jerome Avenue Line]] (full line)
| [[Woodlawn (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)|Woodlawn]]
|[[183rd Street station (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)|183rd Street]]
| rowspan=2 | local
| rowspan="2" style="background:gray" | &nbsp;
| rowspan=2 style="background:gray" | &nbsp;
| rowspan="2" style="background:#ddffdd;" | Most trains
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Burnside Avenue station|Burnside Avenue]]
| rowspan="2" |[[170th Street station (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)|170th Street]]
|-
|express
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
| style="background:yellow" | Limited service ({{abbr|NB|northbound}} only)
|-
|[[167th Street station (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)|167th Street]]
|[[149th Street–Grand Concourse (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)|149th Street–Grand Concourse]]
| rowspan="2" |local
| rowspan="2" style="background:gray" | &nbsp;
| rowspan="2" style="background:gray" | &nbsp;
|style="background:gray" | &nbsp;
|-
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" align="center" |[[138th Street–Grand Concourse (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)|138th Street–Grand Concourse]]
| &nbsp;
|-
| rowspan="2" |express
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
| rowspan="2" style="background:gray" | &nbsp;
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[IRT Lexington Avenue Line]] (full line)
| rowspan="2" |[[125th Street (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)|125th Street]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)|Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall]]
|style="background:gray" | &nbsp;
| style="background:orange" | Special events ({{abbr|SB|southbound}} only)
|-
| local
| &nbsp;
| rowspan=4 style="background:gray" | &nbsp;
| &nbsp;
|-
| [[Fulton Street (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)|Fulton Street]]
| [[Bowling Green (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)|Bowling Green]]
| rowspan=2 | all
| rowspan=4 style="background:gray" | &nbsp;
| rowspan=3 style="background:gray" | &nbsp;
|-
| colspan=3 align=center | [[Joralemon Street Tunnel]]
|-
| rowspan=3 | [[IRT Eastern Parkway Line]] (full line)
| [[Borough Hall (IRT Eastern Parkway Line)|Borough Hall]]
| [[Nevins Street (IRT Eastern Parkway Line)|Nevins Street]]
| rowspan=2 | express
|-
| rowspan=2 | [[Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center (IRT Eastern Parkway Line)|Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center]]
| rowspan=2 | [[Crown Heights–Utica Avenue (IRT Eastern Parkway Line)|Crown Heights–Utica Avenue]]
| &nbsp;
| style="background:#ddffdd;" | Most trains
|-
| local
| rowspan=2 | &nbsp;
| rowspan=2 style="background:gray" | &nbsp;
| style="background:orange" | Very limited service
|-
| [[IRT New Lots Line]] (full line)
| [[Sutter Avenue–Rutland Road (IRT New Lots Line)|Sutter Avenue–Rutland Road]]
| [[New Lots Avenue (IRT New Lots Line)|New Lots Avenue]]
| all
| style="background:yellow" | Limited service
|}

=== Stations ===

For a more detailed station listing, see the articles on the lines listed above.<ref name="timetable"/>
{{NYCS service legend
| alltimes = show
| allexceptnights = show
| nightsonly = show
| nightsweekends =
| weekdaysonly = show
| allexceptrush = show
| allexceptweekdays =
| dailyexceptrush =
| rushonly =
| rushpeak = show
| weekdayspeak =
| closed =
| custom_icon_1 = rushonly
| custom_text_1 = Stops rush hours only (limited service)
| custom_icon_2 = rushreversepeak
| custom_text_2 = Stops rush hours in the reverse-peak direction only (limited service)
}}
{{Clear}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:90%" summary="Service information for the 4 train and its stations, including service times, ADA-accessibility, subway transfers, and non-subway connections."
! width=6% colspan=2 | [[File:NYCS-bull-trans-4-Std.svg|20px|4 service to Woodlawn]]<br>{{abbr|Wood|Woodlawn}}
! width=3% | [[File:NYCS-bull-trans-4-Std.svg|20px|4 service to Burnside Avenue]]<br>{{abbr|Burn|Burnside express; northbound service only}}
! width=3% | [[File:NYCS-bull-trans-4-Std.svg|20px|4 service to 161st Street]]<br>{{abbr|161|161 Street special event express; southbound only}}
! width=28% | Stations
! width=3% | {{Access icon}}
! width=36% | Subway transfers
! width=27% | Connections/Notes
|-
| style="font-weight:bold" colspan="8" align="center" | [[The Bronx]]
|-
| style="font-weight:bold" colspan="8" align="center" | [[IRT Jerome Avenue Line|Jerome Avenue Line]]
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center rowspan=6 {{N/A}}
| align=center rowspan=11 {{N/A}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Woodlawn}}
|
|
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Mosholu Parkway}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
|
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Bedford Park Boulevard–Lehman College}}
|
|
| Some southbound rush hour trips begin at this station<br>Some northbound p.m. rush hour trips terminate at this station
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Kingsbridge Road|Jerome}}
|
|
| Some southbound p.m. rush hour trips begin at this station
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Fordham Road|Jerome}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
|
| [[Bx12 SBS (New York City bus)|Bx12 Select Bus Service]]
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| {{stl|NYCS|183rd Street}}
|
|
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Burnside Avenue}}
|
|
| Some northbound rush hour trips terminate at this station
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
|align=center |↑
| {{stl|NYCS|176th Street}}
|
|
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
|align=center |↑
| {{stl|NYCS|Mount Eden Avenue}}
|
|
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
|align=center |↑
| {{stl|NYCS|170th Street|Jerome}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
|
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| {{stl|NYCS|167th Street|Jerome}}
|
|
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|161st Street–Yankee Stadium|Jerome}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Concourse local|time=show}} ([[IND Concourse Line]])
| [[Bx6 SBS (New York City bus)|Bx6 Select Bus Service]]<br>[[Metro-North]] [[Hudson Line (Metro-North)|Hudson Line]] at [[Yankees–East 153rd Street station|Yankees–East 153rd Street]]<br>Northern terminus of southbound-only special event express service
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|149th Street–Grand Concourse|Jerome}}
|
| {{NYCS White Plains|time=show}} ([[IRT White Plains Road Line]])
|Northern terminal for severe weather trips.<ref>{{cite web|title=New York City Subway Severe Winter Weather|url=https://www.mta.info/map/9471|publisher=MTA|access-date=16 December 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|allexceptrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|138th Street–Grand Concourse}}
|
| {{NYCS Jerome south local|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| style="font-weight:bold" colspan="8" align="center" | [[Manhattan]]
|-
| style="font-weight:bold" colspan="8" align="center" | [[IRT Lexington Avenue Line|Lexington Avenue Line]]
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|125th Street|Lexington}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Lexington|time=show|exclude=4}}
| [[Metro-North Railroad]] at [[Harlem–125th Street (Metro-North station)|Harlem–125th Street]]<br>[[M60 SBS (New York City bus)|M60 Select Bus Service]] to [[LaGuardia Airport]]
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
| {{stl|NYCS|116th Street|Lexington}}
|
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
| {{stl|NYCS|110th Street}}
|
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
| {{stl|NYCS|103rd Street|Lexington}}
|
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
| {{stl|NYCS|96th Street|Lexington}}
|
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|86th Street|Lexington}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}} ↑<ref group=lower-alpha>Only the northbound local platform, served only during late nights, is accessible.</ref>
| {{NYCS Lexington|time=show|exclude=4}}
| [[M86 SBS (New York City bus)|M86 Select Bus Service]]<br>Station is [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|ADA-accessible]] in the northbound direction for the local platform only.
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
| {{stl|NYCS|77th Street|Lexington}}
|
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}
| [[M79 SBS (New York City bus)|M79 Select Bus Service]]
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
| {{stl|NYCS|68th Street–Hunter College}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|59th Street|Lexington}}
|
| {{NYCS Lexington|time=show|exclude=4}}<br>{{NYCS Broadway 60th|time=show}} ([[BMT Broadway Line]] at [[Lexington Avenue/59th Street (BMT Broadway Line)|Lexington Avenue/59th Street]])<br>Out-of-system transfer with [[MetroCard]]/[[OMNY]]:<br>{{NYCS 63rd Lexington|time=show}} ([[63rd Street Lines]] at {{stl|NYCS|Lexington Avenue–63rd Street}})
| [[Roosevelt Island Tramway]]
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
|{{stl|NYCS|51st Street}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}<br>{{NYCS Queens 53rd night|time=show}} ([[IND Queens Boulevard Line]] at {{stl|NYCS|Lexington Avenue–53rd Street}})
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Grand Central–42nd Street|Lexington}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Lexington|time=show|exclude=4}}<br>{{NYCS Flushing south|time=show}} ([[IRT Flushing Line]])<br>{{NYCS 42nd|time=show}} ([[42nd Street Shuttle]])
| [[Metro-North Railroad]] at [[Grand Central Terminal]]<br />[[Long Island Rail Road]] at [[Grand Central Madison]]
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
| {{stl|NYCS|33rd Street}}
|
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}
| [[M34 and M34A buses|M34 / M34A Select Bus Service]]<br>{{Ferry icon}} '''[[NYC Ferry]]''': Astoria and Soundview Routes<br><small>(on [[FDR Drive]] and [[34th Street (Manhattan)|East 34th Street]])</small>
|-
| align=center colspan=2 |{{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
| {{stl|NYCS|28th Street|Lexington}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}&nbsp;↓
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}
| Station is [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|ADA-accessible]] in the southbound direction only.
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
| {{stl|NYCS|23rd Street–Baruch College}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}
| [[M23 SBS (New York City bus)|M23 Select Bus Service]]<br/>{{Ferry icon}} '''[[NYC Ferry]]''': Soundview Route<br><small>(on FDR Drive/Avenue C and East 20th Street)</small>
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|14th Street–Union Square|Lexington}}
| align=center | [[File:Aiga elevator.svg|20px|alt=Elevator access to mezzanine only]]
| {{NYCS Lexington|time=show|exclude=4}}<br>{{NYCS Canarsie|time=show}} ([[BMT Canarsie Line]])<br>{{NYCS Broadway|time=show}} ([[BMT Broadway Line]])
| [[M14 (New York City bus)|M14A / M14D Select Bus Service]]
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
| {{stl|NYCS|Astor Place}}
|
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
| {{stl|NYCS|Bleecker Street}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}<br>{{NYCS Sixth night|time=show}} ([[IND Sixth Avenue Line]] at [[Broadway–Lafayette Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line)|Broadway–Lafayette Street]])
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
| {{stl|NYCS|Spring Street|Lexington}}
|
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align=center |↑
|align=center |↓
| {{stl|NYCS|Canal Street|Lexington}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Lexington local night|time=show|exclude=4}}<br>{{NYCS Broadway night|time=show}} ([[BMT Broadway Line]])<br>{{NYCS Nassau north night|time=show}} ([[BMT Nassau Street Line]])
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Lexington|time=show|exclude=4}}<br>{{NYCS Nassau north|time=show}} ([[BMT Nassau Street Line]] at [[Chambers Street (BMT Nassau Street Line)|Chambers Street]])
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Fulton Street|Lexington}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Lexington south|time=show|exclude=4}}<br>{{NYCS Broadway-Seventh Brooklyn|time=show}} ([[IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line]])<br>{{NYCS Cranberry|time=show}} ([[IND Eighth Avenue Line]])<br>{{NYCS Nassau south|time=show}} ([[BMT Nassau Street Line]])
| Connection to {{NYCS Broadway south|time=show}} ([[BMT Broadway Line]]) at [[Cortlandt Street (BMT Broadway Line)|Cortlandt Street]] via [[Dey Street Passageway]]
[[Port Authority Trans-Hudson|PATH]] at {{stl|PATH|World Trade Center}}
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Wall Street|Lexington}}
|
| {{NYCS Lexington south|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Bowling Green}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Lexington south|time=show|exclude=4}}
|[[M15 SBS (New York City bus)|M15 Select Bus Service]]
[[Staten Island Ferry]] at [[Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal|Whitehall Terminal]]<br>Southern terminus of two a.m. rush hour trips and special event express service
|-
| style="font-weight:bold" colspan="8" align="center" | [[Brooklyn]]
|-
| style="font-weight:bold" colspan="8" align="center" | [[IRT Eastern Parkway Line|Eastern Parkway Line]]
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
|align=center rowspan="10" {{n/a}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Borough Hall|Eastern}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Lexington Brooklyn|time=show|exclude=4}}<br>{{NYCS Broadway-Seventh Brooklyn|time=show}} ([[IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line]])<br>{{NYCS Fourth north|time=show}} ([[BMT Fourth Avenue Line]] at [[Court Street (BMT Fourth Avenue Line)|Court Street]])
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Nevins Street}}
|
| {{NYCS Eastern west|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center|Eastern}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Eastern west|time=show|exclude=4}}<br>{{NYCS Brighton north|time=show}} ([[BMT Brighton Line]])<br>{{NYCS Fourth center|time=show}} ([[BMT Fourth Avenue Line]])
| [[Long Island Rail Road|LIRR]] [[Atlantic Branch]] at [[Atlantic Terminal]]
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align="center"|↑
| {{stl|NYCS|Bergen Street|Eastern}}
|
| {{NYCS Eastern west local|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align="center"|↑
| {{stl|NYCS|Grand Army Plaza}}
|
| {{NYCS Eastern west local|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align="center"|↑
| {{stl|NYCS|Eastern Parkway–Brooklyn Museum}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Eastern west local|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Franklin Avenue–Medgar Evers College}}
|
| {{NYCS Eastern west|time=show|exclude=4}}<br>{{NYCS Franklin|time=show}} ([[BMT Franklin Avenue Line]] at [[Botanic Garden station|Botanic Garden]])
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align="center"|↑
| {{stl|NYCS|Nostrand Avenue|Eastern}}
|
| {{NYCS Eastern center local day|time=show|exclude=4}}
| 
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
|align="center"|↑
| {{stl|NYCS|Kingston Avenue}}
|
| {{NYCS Eastern center local day|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrush}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Crown Heights–Utica Avenue }}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Eastern center|time=show|exclude=4}}
| [[B46 SBS (New York City bus)|B46 Select Bus Service]]<br>All severe weather trips terminate at this station.<ref>{{cite web|title=New York City Subway Severe Winter Weather|url=https://www.mta.info/map/9471|publisher=MTA|access-date=16 December 2025}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="8" bgcolor="#808080" |
|-
| colspan="8" align="center" | '''[[IRT New Lots Line|New Lots Line]]''' (late nights and select rush hour trips)
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrushpeak}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| align=center rowspan=7 colspan="2" {{N/A}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Sutter Avenue–Rutland Road}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots|time=show|exclude=4}}
| [[B15 (New York City bus)|B15]] bus to [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|JFK Int'l Airport]]
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrushpeak}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Saratoga Avenue}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrushpeak}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Rockaway Avenue|New Lots}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrushpeak}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Junius Street}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots|time=show|exclude=4}}<br>Out-of-system transfer with [[MetroCard]]/[[OMNY]]:<br>{{NYCS Canarsie|time=show}} ([[BMT Canarsie Line]] at {{stl|NYCS|Livonia Avenue}})
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrushpeak}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Pennsylvania Avenue}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrushpeak}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Van Siclen Avenue|New Lots}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots|time=show|exclude=4}}
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|limitedrushpeak}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|nightsonly}}
| {{stl|NYCS|New Lots Avenue|New Lots}}
|
| {{NYCS New Lots|time=show|exclude=4}}
| [[B15 (New York City bus)|B15]] bus to [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|JFK Int'l Airport]]
|}

==In film and literature==
The 4 train is featured prominently in the 2025 [[Spike Lee]] film, [[Highest 2 Lowest]].

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/fourline.htm MTA NYC Transit – 4 Lexington Avenue Express]
* {{NYCS const|traintime|4}}
* {{NYCS const|timetable|4}}

{{NYCS navbox}}

[[Category:Interborough Rapid Transit Company|#]]
[[Category:New York City Subway services]]