On this day in 2022, Union Square station opened up, serving the D- oh, wait, wrong station? Oh, ohhhh, this is FOURTEENTH STREET on the IRT and BMT! Okay, I get it now!
So, Union Square is located under its namesake park, and serves both the IRT (the #s 4, 5, and 6 lines) and the BMT (L, N, Q, R, and W) lines. As such, it’s also a transfer point between the IRT and BMT lines. Let’s look at it.
The IRT section is an express stop (serving both the 4 and 5, along with the 6) and is rather unique. While it isn’t accessible, the tracks are curved going into the station, and even considerably inside the station itself. This means the platforms need gap fillers and a reminder that, to sum up the British, one has to MIND THE GAP. Otherwise, it’s standard for an inaccessible express station. Nothing to remark otherwise aside from the coolness factor of a severely curved platform. But, no seriously, mind the gap please.
Moving on to the BMT platforms, they’re both normal. Nothing special. Both are accessible, have the usual amenities, and whatnot. This is a local stop (as are all stops) on the L (Canarsie/14th St.) line, and an express stop on the NQRW (Broadway) lines. Furthermore, there’s OMNY machines and a staffed booth in the mezzanine, and you even have some shops outside fare control. Neat! There’s even a rather cool-looking headhouse in Union Square Park itself. Did I also mention there’s a lot of buses here, too? Many of which happen to be useful as well?
The good: It’s a REALLY busy station, with both a number of local and express buses, along with the 4/5/6 lines, the L line, and the NQRW lines as well. It’s located right on the borderland of what’s generally considered “lower Manhattan” and “not lower Manhattan” (14th St. itself is generally seen as the cutoff, from what I could find). Also, it’s the 4th-busiest station on the entire system. For context, the other top 3 (Times Square, Grand Central, and Herald Square) have also been covered here.
The bad: The only real stinker is the IRT platforms being inaccessible. That’s actually kinda scary, considering this is the 4th-busiest station on the entire system.
Nearby points of interest: Union Square Park, various shops and restaurants, and the obvious case of housing. I will note though, I did get the impression most restaurants nearby aren’t exactly affordable to a more normal person like myself. There is also a holiday market, from what I was told, if you happen to be in the area during the Christmas shopping craze. There’s even a farmers’ market!
Transit connections: Oh boy, this one’s a doozy.
Lexington Ave. (4, 5, 6)
BMT Broadway (N, Q, R, W)
Canarsie/14th St. (L)
MTA bus (M1, M2, M3, M14A-SBS, M14D-SBS, SIM1C, SIM3C, SIM4C, SIM7, SIM9, SIM33, SIM33C, X27, X28)
Overall, for usability, it’s a very important station, and the adjacent park is kinda nice too! It’s kinda scary how it’s not accessible despite being up there in the top 10 most-used stations system-wide though.
Rating: 9.5/10
