Well it looks like I've never reviewed the R train and boy it's been a long time coming. Let's me first say that I catch the R train at Bay Ridge 95th Station and the R train's last stop is Forest Hills 71st Avenue. It doesn't matter where the R train originates or ends, it is one of THE worst lines to serve Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. Here's a brief recap, fasten your seat belts cuz it's going to be a bumpy ride! R: " rarely runs", "ridiculously slow" "runs at its own speed"... I could go on and on. I've rode this line during Hurricane Sandy, 9/11, COVID... it just isn't a seamless operation. I also do not understand why the R can't have some sort of express timetable during rush hour. I can honestly say their scheduled timetable is a nightmare; there are times I've literally waited 30 minutes while a wealth of D and N trains whizz by. T: transportation at its worst. R: read comments above A: Atmosphere while you wait.. well.. this goes for the 95th Street station. As you can see from my pics, wasted space and drabby interior. I: Information. I asked the MTA booth clerk a question and after her explanation my head was spinning like a top N: As in Not for the Faint at heart passenger. Expect delays, delays, train creeping at a snails pace even at rush hour. Honestly, Bay Ridgians and ALL R train riders deserve better.. much much better. I just don't know how long we have to wait for better service. Here's some advice you probably know already. I call it How To Escape R: get off at 59th and 4th wait for N express or 36th and 4th Avenue and wait for D and N express trains. Dont think! Do it, Transfer! read more

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"Hey honey, which subway do you wanna take. How about the R?" "Yeah, maybe, I was thinking of the D but let me check the Yelp reviews. Hmm, only has 2 stars maybe the bus is better." Since we're allowed to review subway lines I will do so. This was a Covid favorite since the reverse of the old paradigm was helpful - locals are slow therefore empty. I kind of went a sunset binge in 2022 (please see my review of self-diagnosed Seasonal Affective Disorder - "If I could I'd give it zero stars")". I treated the pursuit of Brooklyn sunsets (from Jersey City) with Uber Eats picnics like an Olympic Sport. I found the R reliable, often outclassing flashier but less predictable trains in a kind of tortoise-and-hare situation. read more

No train on the MTA is worthy of 5 stars, but I feel the R Train is deserving of at least 3. The R doesn't stand for *Reliable* but for a good bit, it was *Replacement* as the filler line for whenever the N, W, or Q were under construction. While I can't say that contributed to its cumulative two star rating (#1), I think it's generally agreed that it's a slow, dated, and oftentimes, clunky train line. To the latter point, who hasn't waited for the N,W trains in Midtown and seen a bunch of R trains come by instead? It seemingly feels like it's running all the time, even when folks are least expecting it. It's not the cleanest line unfortunately, but is there any train that is truly clean from car to car? (#2) It's a a strictly local train with no express runs, which can sometimes make the ride feel a little longer than others. I don't hear "It's Showtime!" on R trains as often as the N and F trains, which makes this a quiet ride as well. Like any quality line, I appreciate the route that goes from one end of Brooklyn to the middle of Queens. I've ridden the entire route from Forest Hills to Bay Ridge, and thank goodness for streaming services. (#3) _____________ (#1) At the time of this review. (#2) If the answer is yes, then check back again the next day. (#3) Or ... a good book. read more

Always smells like homeless especially in winter. Human feces in the Manhattan side subway station platform which thankfully someone cleaned to when I reported it. Called 311 and it was taken care of! The two stars is for the nice lady that helped with that but the train itself is give no stars. R train conductors never wait for the E connection. Guess what? People getting off at Roosevelt are going to transfer here? You mean you can't hold the doors for two minutes so they can cross the platform and get their train? You'll only wait in the tunnel for "another train ahead of us l" for 10 minutes!! read more

not accurate most of the time Even it comes mostly running so slow ! Today ths after around 2 Pm , waited really Long time at Queens Plaza even thogh app keep saying 1 min frustrating read more

It's hard to give a Train Stars. It's ok at times and bad at others. Now if I rode this line every day I would be a better judge. Honestly I have never been good at what I call the Alphabet Trains. My daughter gets upset. She says "how many times do we take this route and you still don't remember ". If it isn't a number going north and south in Manhattan I get disinterested in retaining the info in my already congested brain. I'm finding the R goes to places I want to visit more frequently. We took it to Brookfield Place this past Saturday. I can also take it to the Queens Center. I need to get out my old trusty map of the subways. I have a feeling if I want to get out of my neighborhood more I'm going to need this train. Our trip to Brookfield was smooth sailing. I give that trip Four Stars! read more

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Every weekend, they seem to be doing track maintenance. But how does the train from queens can go to Manhattan but it can't come back. So the trek to the 4 happens and I have to walk a little over a block to get to ferry. Weekends suck with the transit system. read more

The R train very slow train ,only good if you want local stops.You can always transfer to the E train that is much faster and it travels Express,this train isn't usually really crowded but it crowded during rush hours and the weekends .but if you have some time to spare it's not to bad.I went local the other day . read more

R Train is one's RIDICULE as this line will be playing with strap hanger's time. As of January 2011 this train finally connects with the F and A trains with the new Jay Street--Metro-Tech station complex making the trek between Queens to Brooklyn accessible. Amid, this station new hub that connects F and A trains it is either a hit or miss as the R sometimes skips this stop. Service operates in intervals of twenty five forsaken minutes intervals as strap hangers are waiting an eternity for the sky to fall down!! read more

The R Train - Public Transportation Near Me

Never on time... Filled with homeless... MTA does nothing about it. Every train seems to pass in front of it. Always stuck between stations because of train congestion. They'll run 3 trains in a row the 25 minutes till the next one. read more

Review #464 None Élite Squad To me every train ride is cool, it's new York-ish..its the thing to do in new york..but the R train stations needs a deep cleaning ..the trains are slower..the stops are more far apart..the interior of the trains lighting is more yellow or maybe it's the colors..I noticed more noticeable cameras all around the stations ..more entertainment as well..more people asking for money ..so even though it's totally different than let's say the Q train..train ride is train ride and it's still cool..everyone minds their own business and it's the thing to do..I took it once to Queens ..but I'm still giving it 4 stars read more

The R Train - Everyone enjoying the train ride - Public Transportation Near Me

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It is of little chance I can ever catch a break riding the R. Part of me likes the idea of a seat heading into NYC. Heck, it sure beats having Ahmads armpit in your face while standing on the F express. The idea of taking the local, if your not getting off on a local stop seems totally and completely counterintuitive too me. Yet I take the bait like a mouse in a maze thinking I'll arrive within ten to fifteen minutes of my destination had I taken the express. But time and time again, "sick passanger" "held up due to trains in the station" "dog on the tracks?" and I chomp at the bit clad in surrounding limestone, within that germ infested aluminum tube. read more

Dear R, thanks for serving me since I landed in New York City. if you weren't there, I couldn't commute to the City and home. BUT could you please move your ass regularly and faster, PLEASE? sometimes, I can't make the brunch with my f*cking awesome friends on time during the weekend.. and also after 12am, oh oh! after 11:30pm in the city, I have to take either N train and walk through 20 blocks, or E, F or 7 train to get Jackson Heights / Roosevelt Avenue then take Manhattan bound E train to get home sweet home.. what a f*cking coolness you are! However, STILL I appreciate your holy molly service! I *HEART* you! thanks, and let's rock the City again! Love, Julie K. read more

The R Train - Public Transportation Near Me

In terms of performance, this is the worst subway line in the system. It's slow and infrequent. What really pisses me off is when a Manhattan-bound R train is at Queens Plaza and the conductor sees an E train arriving across the platform. Rather than to wait 30 seconds for the connection, the conductor shuts the doors and the train pulls off. Given how infrequent the R train is, this is a pain in the ass. Many people complained that the R uses old and dirty trains. I respectfully disagree. The R46 (the "old" train) is very comfortable and spacious. They have more seats than the R160 (the "new" train) which has bench seats. I'm bumping up the R from a 1 to a 2 since the vast majority of R trains are R46's. Nevertheless, besides its comfortable cars, the R train is a pathetic excuse of a subway line. read more

Whenever, I'm waiting for The R train, I see The N train pass me by, sometimes twice. The schedule is not consistent. Usually, the R train stops at 12am, but I wish there would be a sign letting the waiting passengers know. I also hate, when I am riding on the R train, and then without notice the R train turns into the F train. It's a quick ride for me on the R train, but too many issues. One positive about the R train is, there are usually seats available read more

The R Train - Public Transportation Near Me

I want to like the R train. It goes places I need to get to. It's not usually crowded and I can usually find a bench to myself. It's an older train, but unlike some of the other older ones like the 1 or the A, the R just looks sad and abused. The forgotten child. The linoleum flooring peeling up in places, or even missing pieces. Holes in the plastic seats. But that isn't my main complaint. I usually take the R from DeKalb to Cortlandt and the wait is ridiculous. I'm not talking about the weekend schedule, or the late night schedule, I'm talking about a rush hour schedule. Where people are Rushing to get places? Waiting on a platform for an average of 30 minutes. Good thing I'm not in that much of a rush. Good thing I have other alternatives. But it's just frustrating to watch the Bs and Qs fly by while I stand waiting for my R. read more

Argh...I waited 30+ min for this packed local train 2 arrive at canal st. Always always late. And packed. And screechy brakes. You make me so miss the E and F train. read more

Basically this train line sucks for the following reasons: 1. It is nearly always crowded 2. It is slow 3. The seating arrangements were designed by a total nut and/or idiot 4. No late-night service So why 3 stars? basically just memories and attachments to places and people along this line. read more

I used to live off of the R line and I love this line. For the most part runs on time and is frequent enough where you don't wait too long. It is local so it makes alot of stops. I took the line from Queens to Manhatten almostt every day for 3 years. read more

So I am not a local that has to deal with this train every day. However, since I was in NYC for such a short time, and really wanted to go see my aunt in Brooklyn (we met in Bay Ridge), I tried the R Train. I expected the worst from listening to people talk about the MTA. Not the case. Easy enough to buy a pass/card. Card worked, which is also a plus. It was along ass ride and the announcements were hard to hear, but the train was so clean. Way cleaner and since it did not stop, break down or wait for the conductor to have a smoke as they do in Chicago, I have to say I had a good experience. read more

The best thing I can say about the R is that you can get a seat at nearly any stop along its route. That's not really a bad thing, even if it's not the highest praise, either. It's rather slow, it makes many, many stops, and this is the train to be on if you enjoy one which eases into every station at a snail's pace. That said, it's close to my home, it's relatively peaceful any time I take it (everyone wants to get off it as quickly as possible in favor of the N) and it goes exactly where I need to be. read more

The R Train - Public Transportation Near Me

I can't really say I hate the R cause there are days when I rely on the R due to the stupid work on the 7. However, it seems that I always wait FOREVER for R especially in Queens side going to Manhattan. Not sure why but yeah that happens especially during non rush hour. I don't mind waiting but there are times when you just want to arrive at your destination as fast as you can. As for the cleanliness, um good luck with experiencing clean condition in the R. it is always an issue and always seem a favorite for people to dump their garbage here. I can easily find rolling Gatorade bottle or scattered newspapers or leftover gums here and there or stains on the seat. read more

It's smelly at times... And always crowded (mostly on rush hour). It could use a makeover. It needs better seats. Better lighting. Better train ad displays, better information displays, and basically just renovate it all or get a new one. Also, for some reason people like to ask me if this is or goes to Lexington Avenue I'll answer it on here so people will stop asking me. YES, it goes to 59st Lexington Ave where you can transfer to 4,5,6,N, and W. This train has a long trip from start to end (ugh) Bay Ridge. I have traveled to Bay Ridge before from Queens taking this train. I took a nice long nap but not the kind of nap where you're knocked out because this is New York, you keep that one eye open! read more

R train is the slowest line not just in NY the but maybe in entire word, most likely Old communist Russia had better faster running trains than R line back in days, Where's head of MTA ? What's he thinking ? Is he still considering mayoral position, I can't believe this guy is still keeping his position as head of MTA? It took me 2 hours from herald square station to bay ridge ave station! don't we have anybody better than this guy ? If Our governor is thinking of running for 2020, he must do something about this entire dismantled MTA management, If necessary bring engineers and experts from Europe or china , At one point current management blamed everything on signal system, If you can't make the change leave it to others. Somebody has to act! This is a disgrace for NY, read more

You get one star for being being close to my apartment, and shuttling me to the next express train. Now explain to me why you come in 7+ minute intervals during morning and evening rush hour. You are a fricken local train, and one of the longest lines in NYC. One would think that you would arrive more often than this. Also, when there are a ton of people on the platform waiting for you because there's 3 express trains to 1 local train, and you finally come through, why do you take your sweet ass time driving into the station?! I could put salt on a slug and it can STILL beat you to the end of the platform as it dies a slow and painful death! Arrrrgh train... You need a makeover. read more

It was like seeing a unicorn when a new R train rolled into the station the other day. (To clarify, by "new," I don't mean the next R train, I mean a modern/clean one with blue benches and the electronic chart of all stops displayed above the windows. Heretofore, I had assumed the Rs were never going to be upgraded to new trains....However, my statement is just about equally applicable to "new" as in "next" since I usually have to wait twenty minutes for an R train whenever I'm departing from Brooklyn). read more

If the R Train had a life, I would end it. This train sucks horribly and my condolences go out to everyone who has to ride it regularly. You wait forever to get on it and once you do - as if you're not already late to wherever you're headed - it creeps forward about three inches at a time. If it decides to go the slightest bit faster, it will screech like nothing you've ever heard before. And then there's the constant stopping for reasons you'll never know because the conductor's announcements are too muffled and crackly to hear. It's so unpleasant. But the people who have it the worst are the poor souls you were on your way to meeting, who have waited an hour for you and then have to endure your endless ranting about the commute over. So basically everybody loses with the R train. read more

I take the "R" train every day to work... The Train comes ONTIME on my stop at 9:12 AM and I get to Canal Street exactly at 9:50.... 40 minute commute, reading a book while heading to work with NO rush!. Once a month I see there's a delay due to congestion, Sick passenger, or something happening, things that we cannot control. but I bet the R train is BETTER than Other Trains. I hate the 7 Train, people are so rude and I always hear people arguing..... The R train is peaceful most of the time. I see Tourist coming in and out by Times Square, People rushing to go to work,. During weekends there's always construction, but R train is the most accurate out of the rest of the routes. The Train itself is still in good condition, Oldie but Goodie!. Even the Conductor remembers me every morning and We greet at each other!. read more

I've stopped transferring to the R at Atlantic to get home. Cause even if the train were sitting right there waiting for me, I think that I can leave the station and walk the 25 blocks from Atlantic to my apartment faster than the R train will travel that exact same span. It's that slow. When I see the R train approaching the platform, I'll have a seat on a bench and kick back with the paper, because it will take a couple of minutes before it actually arrives at the platform. For the speed the R train travels, I might as well just get a piggy-back from a 90 year old man on crutches. All kidding aside, an actual tip: if you're planning on taking the R home at night, go to a convenience store and buy yourself a 40 of malt liquor. That will ease the pain for at least part of the time you wait for the train to crawl up. read more

Everyone says their train is the worst train. But unless they live on the R line, they are wrong. This train is chronically late, slow and delayed while in transit. Forget about nights and weekends, take a cab. I once walked home 2 miles in Brooklyn at midnight on a weekday because I had such little confidence in the R train's ability to simply show up. Basically, this train line has been in operation since the second decade of the twentieth century--nearly 100 years--and it shows. read more

Just when you thought the G train was bad, the R train is now in the competiton of the worst train in the city. The morning commute headways are getting worse. Every morning I need to go THREE stops on this train (from DeKalb to Whitehall) yet it takes an eternity. Its at the point where more time is spent waiting for the train than the actual trip time on the train. There's really no excuse for it. But again, gotta blame the mismanagement at the MTA. Riders wouldn't have these ridiculous waits if they kept the M train service between Brooklyn and lower Manhattan during rush hour. This is the only public transit system in the world that reduces service when riders need it most. read more

Great...I decided to skip the car and commute by train to my class this semester. Well my first day doing this was definitely sucky. Big delay with no explanation. Luckily I had left really early, so I was not late. Coming back...ANOTHER delay! Again dozens of people standing in a sauna like underground airport. Finally it arrives and we sardine our way into the train. Then one stop later we are told this is a damn express train! So about 90% of the sardines get out and wait yet again...finally I get on the train, and then transfer to the F with no issues. I have three more months of this R train to deal with...great. read more

Why must you be so slow? I like you, but you're just slow. I think watching water boil is faster than watching the R train creep up to stations. I think the R train is reliable and clean for the most part. I always see interesting characters on the train and you can always get a seat unlike some of the other trains. The R train is rather diverse unlike certain ethnic groups on the D, Q, and A trains. I like that I can transfer on Jay Street Metrotech fairly easy. Again, I do like you, but I wish you could step it up and accelerate your ass. read more

In 2 years since I wrote my last review, it's amazing to think that this train line has somehow gotten EVEN WORSE. How this is possible, I do not even know. However, my 15 minute commute into work is now, at minimum, 35 minutes. Trains rarely show up and when they do, they are so packed, no one can even get on. And then there's always the excitement of the train pulling out and then sitting in between the next station for 10 minutes. Of course when all of this is happening, there is NEVER any explanation, just the BS recorded statement: "We are delayed because of train traffic ahead...please be patient." Ya know what? Get tossed. Hard. Also -- WAY TO GO IN GETTING RID OF THE V line, MTA! Really, overcrowded & delayed trains are quite fantastic. Give yourselves another pay raise and please, please, please hike up our fares even more. You have proven to be so very worth it. Asshats. I wish I could give the R train negative stars. read more

This train... Sigh. I take this train to and from work and it has got to be the slowest snail riding train there is in the MTA. Occasionally I ride this train to Brooklyn to visit family as well. They have the worst train stops/stations. Most of them are not stroller friendly once you get into Brooklyn. Most of the R trains are newer now so you can actually hear the announcements. Back in the day when it was the older ones you really can't hear what's going on. Sometimes the lights even go out. The older trains you couldn't walk between cars. So once you get on you are stuck till the next stop. They also does not have the button where you can call for help either. To ride from Queens to Brooklyn can take 2 hours end to end. If you get lucky and have a conductor who closes the train door fast and drives fast you might make it in 1.5hrs. But don`t count on that happening too often. read more

It's the subway. If you are not from NYC, maybe you do not understand. I am giving three stars since I get on at the first stop and get a seat. The R is basically safe. I only ride in the morning and not in Crooklyn. At night, good luck. For out of towners, no eye contact. Head down. Sit normal, make yourself as small as possible big gals and fellas. For us native New Yorkers, you know the deal. F everyone and try to get to work in one piece. read more

This is my least favorite part of living in Bay Ridge. Waiting for R at 59th street in the middle on the night, for hours? Check. Sudden "there's no R train running between 59th street and 95th street" announcements? Check. The previous with no shuttle bus service offered? Check. Standing still for 10 minutes between stations? Check. All of the above happening a little too often? Check. It's slow. It's constantly plagues by service changes and interruptions. It's dirty. I can't wait to pay even more for such quality service. read more

Man, this train is slow as hell especially going through Brooklyn like going to Bay Ridge. I mean I simply can't understand it, if I have to get in the area taking this R train, how does it take so long to actually come there then creep and crawl to stop like Prospect Avenue, 25th Street, 36th Street. Its like seriously, hurry the Eff up there is no train traffic ahead, I have been waiting 30 minutes in the station for any sign of life possible. read more

When I am coming home late from work or from a night out, the very last thing I want to do is wait for the R train. It is the last leg of my journey and all I want to do is eat dinner, use the bathroom or go to bed. Don't be surprised when you see two N trains pass up and you are STILL waiting for that damn R train. Also, be prepared to look out the window/door for every stop or pay close attention to the conductor because R trains are missing the nifty electronic thingies that tell you what stop is next. Plus one star for being slightly better than the G train. read more

If you live off the R, or take it often, then, first of all, I'm sorry. Second of all, I know you feel my pain. Not only does the R line feel like it has a million billion stops, but the question I always ask myself, and the 14 people around me while impatiently waiting is, where the hell are you? What have we done so wrong in our past life for you to torment us with your lack of attendance, and tease us with other, better looking trains that run your line? I also would like to know why you're best friends with the pointless W train that only delays your arrival. R train, get over yourself. If we ride you, its not a choice. Please start to love us as much as we would like to love you. Thank you for your time. **Update** The W train has died, Thank God!! read more