By Ericka O’Connell, Roosevelt Island Daily
Hello, neighbors! A friendly reminder that the F and M trains will swap routes on weekdays starting Monday, December 8, 2025. This change will affect the Roosevelt Island station from roughly 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays. Let’s break down what this means so your commute remains smooth.
What’s Changing on Weekdays
- The M train will now stop at:
- 21 St‑Queensbridge
- Roosevelt Island
- Lexington Av/63 St
- 57 St
- The F train will now stop at:
- Queens Plaza
- Court Sq‑23 St
- Lexington Av/53 St
- 5 Av/53 St
- In Queens:
- F trains will run express
- M trains will run local
- Nights and weekends: service patterns stay the same. F trains will still serve Roosevelt Island during these times.
Why the Change
The MTA says this swap is designed to increase reliability across the lines. Fewer trains sharing the same tracks reduces the risk of delays from merges and intersections — something commuters experience when a train has to wait for another to cross.
To address Roosevelt Island’s specific concerns:
- Peak-hour M train frequency will be increased to match or approximate current F train service.
- Transfers for some routes may change — the MTA has detailed instructions for connecting to Queens Plaza, Jackson Hts‑Roosevelt Av, 47‑50 Sts‑Rockefeller Ctr, and other stations.
How to Prepare
Here’s what neighbors should know:
- Check schedules: Weekday service will look different; plan your trips accordingly.
- Airport trips: Some connections, such as to the Q70 bus, may require minor adjustments.
- Transfers: Pay attention to updated transfer points at Jackson Hts‑Roosevelt Av, 47‑50 Sts‑Rockefeller Ctr, Court Sq‑23 St, and Lexington Av/63 St.
- Stay alert: Watch for MTA signage at stations and consider subscribing to service alerts to get real-time updates.
Bottom Line
Change is coming, friends, but with a little planning we can make the transition smooth. Weekday M train service will be our new reality, while nights and weekends remain familiar. The Roosevelt Island Committee and CB8 continue advocating for residents, and your feedback can help shape ongoing service adjustments.
Keep an eye on the trains, stay informed, and we’ll keep reporting on any updates so our community can navigate this swap together.
On naming, neglect, and the quiet work that keeps things standing
About twenty years ago, there was Harbor Police activity near the water, just south of the subway entrance. At the time, no one really thought of it as a pier, though technically there was a small boardwalk there. Of course it wasn’t a pier. A pier implies intention.
