Every morning, I stand on the C platform to watch no less than 3-4 A trains pass through the express lane before the C train wobbles into the station. I'm not sure I want to know the exact science of it, but the C train is the shakiest, loudest train in the subway system. Once on board the C train, it often likes to get stuck in the tunnels, lopsided, as it waits for even more A trains to pass in front of it. Apparently, the demand for A train frequency is so high, that it's okay to make everyone in the C train stand sideways at 8am for up to 10 minutes before we've had our morning coffee. You're probably thinking, if the C train is this bad during rush hour, what's it like during the weekend? When I first moved to this neighborhood, I tried taking the C train into Manhattan on Saturday only to be rejected by red tape blocking off the entrance to the station, entirely. When it *is* running, the "C" train is often the A train running local or F train running on the C train tracks. It is incredibly confusing to explain to friends, "Yes, you take the F train to Clinton Washington". It's even more confusing when it's the weekend and the C train is actually running. read more

This review is for the subway system as a whole. We spent the weekend in New York and relied heavily on the subway to get us to and from various destinations. Generally the subway system is laid out nicely, is easy to find which train you need to get on , to get you where you need to go. The problem, the very big problem, is that things happen. For instance we wanted to take the e train to the World Trade Center. We went to the correct station and went to the correct track, only to find that the e train service was delayed and subsequently moved to the F train track. Eventually we made it to our destination on the e-train be way of the F train track. Later on we try to take the e train somewhere, went to the correct station and upon arrival you are met with gates preventing us from going into the subway system it all. Unscheduled closure of that particular station. We were very frustrated at this point so we just grabbed a taxi. Some of the other problems weare that you need a metro card to travel on the subway. No problem, we purchased a MetroCard, the problem comes in when you need to refill your metro card and you are at a station where there is no human attendant. The automated machines often don't work, and when they do some of them require cash only. Subways were generally clean, a great way to get to and from places, and are a great value. I just wish that the automated machines worked properly if at all, and then when the MTA says the train is going to be somewhere on a particular track at a particular station, that it is accessible. Don't get me wrong I think the subway is the way to go, but if you have somewhere to be at a certain time, you may consider allowing yourself significant additional time to get there, or taking alternative transportation. read more

As the only way to get from Penn to 81st street, the C train is my only choice of transportation morning and afternoon. Is this thing on a schedule? I never know. the LIRR gets me in the same time every day and then when I walk up to the Subway platform I either wait 2 minutes for a C train or 15. The E train makes many more appearances (no joke 3 in 4 trains is an E train) too bad it doesn't go up to 81st. Anyway- such is life. The C train gets the job done. It's dingy, it often smells, and it's loud and creaky but it gets me to where I have to go. Thanks C train! read more

So, it looks like I'm the millionth person here to get angry at this train. I'm currently holding a grudge against the C train. I was depending on it to take me to the Museum of Natural History, where I had to go to complete an assignment for one of my classes. But no, the godforsaken thing wasn't running, so I was forced to take the A train to 59th Street and walk the rest of the way. And of course I had a similar problem coming back, because there were no other trains going downtown in the immediate area. Thank you, C train, I appreciated the inconvenience. read more

C, you insipid bastard! I expected more of you, but then again I should have Yelped you prior to heading to NYC - then I wouldn't have been so disappointed. But don't you try to shift the blame to me, smarmy C! Oh no, don't you try it. I don't play that game. I had to haul it over to the west side to wait for you. I got there, after walking through the voluminous, freezing underground labyrinth that connects the shuttle to various west side modes of transportation, all the while listening to the sounds of bad subway musicians and the proselytizing of religious groups who use the subway as their forum for informing people that The End Is Near. When I finally reached your crummy platform, were you there? Were you anywhere close by? No, you weren't. An E train arrived and departed on the opposite platform, but there was no still no sign of you. What were there signs of, darling C? Why, notices from the MTA informing riders that you and your brother train, the A, were experiencing service changes, and that these changes would go into effect starting early Saturday morning, when you would run express all the way uptown. But no! You chose to ignore these MTA-sponsored mandates and rumbled into the station on the express track, instead of your normal local track. What do you care, C? You do your own thing. Nothing like having bunches of people run up the platform - yes, you pulled all the way up - just so they could make it through your doors, because you aren't waiting. You have places to be! Or not. You stopped in the tunnel, and no one knew why. Then you creeped along at about 2 miles per hour, passing the next station so slowly that I probably could have clearly made out the dirt on the tiled walls if I had to do so. When you finally wheezed into the 59th Street station, you had a surprise in store: you were going express! That's right, express! All the way to 145th Street, something you weren't supposed to start doing until SATURDAY, and it clearly wasn't SATURDAY. I had to dash out of the train. Stand clear of the closing doors, my ass. Get a calendar, C. Boy, oh boy. Thanks for leaving me at 59th Street, C. I'm giving you two stars because the car I was in was really clean. Otherwise, you stink. read more

C is for for the first letter in this word - *rap Taking a century and a half to get any where and when it stops you might be at the station for a long time because there is other trains ahead i sometimes wish i was on the train ahead read more

I can come up with plenty of words to describe the c train. "Coming" is not one of them. It's almost non-existent. If you're only traveling in Manhattan, you're better off walking or taking another train to your destination. Someone mentioned that it reminds them of a old NYC? Negligence isn't retro, brah. The "C" train is the bottom of the barrel of trains and the MTA could never argue that lack of service, maintenance and upkeep are apart of secret social media campaign for your #tbt feeds. read more

The C Train needs upgrades to increase the reliability and frequency of service. They installed countdown clocks this year which is a major improvement, but the arrival times are not integrated with google maps and the countdown clock at my station is only visible on the platform (not before you pay to enter). Many of the C trains run on old subway cars from the 1960s which should be upgraded for reliability and quality. I take this train on occasion but prefer using the 1 train to connect to the 2/3 express as it is more reliable and runs more frequently. read more

Like the short, uglier and not as hip brother of the "A" train. I only used it a few times and it honestly would not be missed if it was discontinued. read more

ehhhh I see MTA is running R32's on this line huh? lol Well thats cool and all even though the brakes break the sound barrier. Other than that the C gets you where you needa go, a lot of the times it'll beat the A train to Hoyt coming in from Brooklyn. Also the C always seem less crowded than the A. Both are ghetto as hell at night but its all good. read more

C dick run. C jane run. C train run? Doubtful. If this train was a cookie I would have thrown it on the ground and squashed it into tiny crumbs. It's unreliable, is "under construction" about 60% of the time, and is always dirty and yucky. I'd rather take the A as close to my destination as possible and walk to the remainder, than take the C train. It gets one star because I like the color blue.....that's all. read more

At last an outlet for my frustration as kicking the train has had little effect. After 6 this train - hold on, I only take it after 6 anyway, for a major transit city is CRAP. C is for CRAP. There must be 2-3 trains an hour. There are 3 or 4 A trains (A for antagonistic) or 2 e trains (E is for empty) that nobody uses for every C. Whose in charge? When a C finally pulls in its packed. Why are there no digital time boards on platforms. The mta is a 3rd world service, every city in the world has boards displaying next arrival times except New York... Is it because they don't want to say the next train is 30 minutes? 3rd world transit line, even Kabul has train times displayed. read more

This train has been rated the lowest score among all NYC subway lines for fourth year straight. I live by the C train Franklin stop, and this morning during rush hour the train took 15 mins to arrive. The worst thing about C train is how infrequent it runs. Shame on MTA for not improving C train for so long. C will NOT get new replacement trains in the next 4 years, that's Way too long!! read more

Um...yeah...C Train, we need to talk. I do appreciate that you get me to work many days. I know that you know that I know you know that I would rather be on the A train, but half the time you just show up and gently coerce me to hop aboard. The other half of the time, you and the A Train mildly collude to make me take the E train half of the way back home just to get out at Canal St. and wait for you or the A. So, I don't want to sound unappreciative and stuff, but you are...kind of old-looking too. You don't really have the lit-up letter on your forehead that some (most) of the other trains have. Sometimes I can barely make out your curved letter because it is comparatively dark as you are coming toward me. I don't think you bathe much, seriously, you are one of the more dirty trains out there. BUT, I have to say that you have been fairly reliable as of late and you get me to my destinations. 2nd BUT, would it be a lot to ask to have proper separation between sitters in the last seat near the doors and the people (me) who always stand with their back against the door? On the C train (that's you), there is just a low handrail, which if you try to use it to maintain your balance, you will rightfully be charged with "pushing up" on whomever is seated in the last seat next to the door.* You are behind the times my friend, a technological and architectural dinosaur. However, if you keep getting me places on time, I won't hatefully scorn you when I hop aboard the A, a train with proper options for placing ones hands while standing near the door (if one needs that type of thing while trying to listen to an iPod, read a book and drink coffee).** ____________________ * I didn't say I needed a handrail while standing against the door, that would be ridiculous...and yet another reason to anti-bacterialize after a short voyage, when you can just shun the law and lean against the door for balance. ** Seriously, I only listen to my iPod. I do read other people's books though, if they are good and I can see them without being too obvious. read more

i've been walking 1 mile to the atlantic ave station to get to work every day (back and forth, so 2 miles total) because the c train is that bad. i wish i could give it 0 stars. dirty, slow, disgusting, completely packed, constantly stopping for unknown reasons, takes 30 minutes to show up sometimes during rush hour! wtf!!!!!!!! read more

Without the express speed of the A train, this one gets one star. Same old (or even older) cars are guaranteed to make you instantly sad, the moment you step off the platform into the dimly lit interior. The only redeemable feature of the A train is that it gets you to/from Brooklyn Heights and the West Village in no time. Not so with this one: it stops at two entirely useless stops--Spring and Canal--whose sole raison d'être is to remind you that subway planners had a twisted sense of humor back in the old days. read more

C Train is an absolute disaster. There seems to be about 1 C train for every 10 A trains that pass by. That is ridiculous. How the hell can I get home from mid-town in time for dinner if I have to wait so long. Come on NYC, lots of taxes headed your way...clearly you don't spend them on roads so why not the C Train. Lets go! read more

Just explain to me why I need to watch 5 A trains go by before I see one C Train. I was in a rush but it ended abruptly when i realized I needed your services. F U C Train... read more

Well... I love the New York City Subway system, but the C train is a different story! These trains are extremly old and rattely. To bad the C train is not more like it's conterpart the E train. Using the C train to go from 23rd street to the 125th street was very long and uncomfortable. The train was late and dirty. If you are going up past Columbus Circle make a transfer to the B train. Oh well, it gets the job done... But not very good. read more

proud, worn ship, the c standing fast on stars we sail back to brooklyn, man read more

This has to be the worst train line coming in second place behind the R train. I can't tell you how much I dread taking the A or C trains. The A is a little bit better because it's the express line, but you've been warned about that trifling C train. I mean it runs really fast but it never seems to come. When it does arrive, you can expect packed cars, with annoyed conductors. This line sucks big time and you cannot depend on this line for jack! read more

As I wait for you at 59th st And Columbus Circle uptown platform to arrive ...and I wait for you.... and I wait for you..... your little buddy ''A'' train arrives on the express track. So i keep waiting and waiting.. and then your little cousin ''D" train arrives. Finally you arrive, but alas youre on the downtown platform so I continue waiting.. A few more of your cousins ' A' and 'D' arrive on various platforms, as I begin to think you have forsaken me, when finally I see headlights approaching.. could it be,, you have not forsaken me?? Then I see the familair color orange of the letters on the front of the train, your little brother B train. So I get on as he is going my way, but I havent seen you in so long and really do miss you , C train, and if your really not that into me, just let me know. read more

I only take the C train when I have to, and that usually is from Franklin to Nostrand. This train is overall very dingy--I think it's one of the dirtiest lines I've ridden (which hasn't been too many in the city). It also seems to run fewer trains than the A. read more

Reading these reviews reminded me of when I'd moved to Washington Heights and commuted to my teaching job in Brooklyn's East New York section. If I didn't feel like walking 5 long blocks to the express stop at 168th Street, I could use the C stop at 163rd Street. Let's just say that I could have created a new series for the "Law and Order" franchise from the foolishness I'd seen on that train! read more

This train sucks. I need the digital display otherwise I don't know where I'm going. Won't be riding again. Terrible customer experience.

Worst train line in nyc. Old train that takes longer then it should and seems to be connected with the shuttle train because it will almost always arrive and will give you just enough time to see the shuttle train leave causing you to have to wait another 10+ minutes. read more

Awful train that goes to some of the creepiest stations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. No train timers in any C stations. Makes a sound that sounds like a thousand rats being tortured when it pulls into the station. Has a ride comparable to riding a bull. read more

Well well well... the good ole C train. Please do not believe anything positive in any review about this train. This train is atrocious, late, garbage, ugly, old and it will take years off of your life if you have to deal with it. I think i've lost 10 years on mine already. This is the train that pulls in as the A trains pulls out (like every other train on the mta), this is the train that will go express with 5 local stops left just because, this is the train that will take 25 mins to come THEN go express once it hits the hood, the hood being Utica, this is the train that you better have Uber if you don't. If you lack patience, do not try and challenge this trash. You will feel more defeated than the Warriors in game 7 of the finals after giving up a 3 game lead. Avoid this train because it sucks, heck just avoid MTA ALTOGETHER read more

Don't ride the C train if you value your health. 70% of the cars on the C line have broken A/C, and temperatures on-board reach 95 and above. I've already seen one person get carted off by EMS because of heat exhaustion. read more

Poor, poor C train. You are definitely the ugly step child of the MTA. This is the least useful of the lines on the west side of Manhattan. For it's entire length in Manhattan, it is paralleled roughly only a block away by the far superior 1/2/3 service. To make matters worse, most of its stops in Lower Manhattan and Midtown are shared with the express A service and the far superior E service with its newer trains and higher frequency. Then, on the Upper West Side, it has to share its local service with the B train. The MTA seems to recognize the "also-ran" nature of this line since it runs shorter trains on the C and it gives it the oldest cars in the system - R32s from 1964. They're near a half a century old. Think about it! It's like having a horse and buggy from the 1910s running on a superhighway in the 1960's! The fact that these trains are on their last legs is shown by the fact that the MTA has not bothered to replace the acid tagged windows with newer windows the way they've done on almost all other trains. As one consolation, the 1971-72 R44 trains being retired from the A line (and replaced with almost as ancient R46s from 1974-6) are starting to see service on the C train. So that's one update to the fleet, albeit with the R44s which are notoriously known to be the worst trains in the fleet. I guess the C will finally see the new "digital" trains now used on the E and many other lines when those get retired from those lines 40 years from now. To make matters worse, the C seems to run at far less frequency than the A or E. It's a rare sighting to see one of its corrugated stainless steel trains pull into the station. That said, while the C is often redundant in service, uses decrepit old trains and is infrequent, on the bright side the trains are not as full as they are on the more popular lines. I suspect the C carries much greater importance in Brooklyn where it is the primary local train in areas where the A has long express runs. However, I have little familiarity with that section. Overall, the C does its job as a supplemental filler for the A, C, E, and B trains. It is decent enough but I have experienced better. Thus 2 stars. read more

I actually don't have too much to say about the C train, good or bad. I only ride it for a very short distance: just two station stops. This usually at rush hour when I want to pop over to Manhattan for (high-priced) drinks. I agree that waiting for the 'C' during rush hour; you will feel your beard growing. You can meditate on your life, even if you weren't in the mood to do so. Tick tock, tick tock... Other trains on the same track--the A train--FIVE of these can come and go before the C shows up. When it arrives, it is so old and worn out, it has a sort of 'misty' look to it. The windows are hazy; figures inside a blur. Faded, threadbare, sagging at the seams. It wheezes into position and groans just to open its doors. But hey, I've seen this on other MTA routes. But one thing stands out to me about the C train and that is that the conductors are so lazy, inattentive, or apathetic that they don't even call out the stations on the loudspeaker. This is inexcusable! Without visual displays (this train is too old to have them), commuters really need to HEAR the next station announced. Oftentimes, it is the make-or-break point of the evening. That split second when the doors stand open and you decide whether to board--conductor, godamnit, call out the next station! Wake up! read more

From a person living in Brooklyn, this train line sucks....it's old and noisy...ALWAYS late...inconsistent...usually crowded....and there is that old train jerk you get when the train is accelerating/stopping. Your quality of life can be so much better if you didn't have to rely on this lame train line. A & E trains run way more often at a 3:1 ratio. Seriously, how does someone at the MTA still have a job overseeing this train line with such horrible service. read more

Bad, old cars in use. Train cars need to be replaced. The R32 mods look very old. C trains are always late, delayed, old and ugly. I suggest that the new cars should be the R179 mods which look modern and innvoative. The old C train cars aren't innovative or filled with innovation. Trains are always crowded, old and horrible. I rather take the A or the E train than the C train. what a disgrace.Never take the C train until new cars are in use. read more

these reviews are hilarious! I don't live in NY but I've been there many times. I almost want to ride the C train now!

Absolutely freaking horrible. Randomly just won't show up and it will never be less than 10 minutes late. For the past 2 days it has taken over an hour to get from 23rd street to 72nd street. And today it took 1 hour to get from 50th street to 72nd. AND IM STILL WAITING. They need to fix this horrible train. read more

The C train is completely useless. Its better to walk to the next express station. I've waited 20 minutes for the train in midtown at RUSH HOUR!! THIS TRAIN SUCKS!! Not to mention it operates some of the oldest and run down trains in the MTA. read more