86 St

The 86th street station on the Q line is new and beautiful. It's comfortable because there is no bad smell that is common in subway stations in New York. It's a very deep station, but there's an escalator.

Both incidents happened at the exact same station. Incident # 1: 2 years ago, I was walking in upper Manhattan. I needed to get home to Brooklyn. I found the Q Train station. This happened in the afternoon from 3:40 pm - 6 pm. The station. It looks brand new. I went to the customer service agent behind the window. He was a black man wearing a button down shirt. I will point him out to you. I was wearing a blue tee shirt and pink balloon pants. I needed to make sure I was getting to the correct stop. I went inside the station. I went to the agent to ask him for help paying for my ticket (machine did not work). I did not ask him anything. He did not give me time to. There was a man who went in before me. The agent clicked a button and opened the disabled door for him for FREE. The man was NOT disabled. I think he asked him if he can go through. The agent was NOT allowed to do that. I went over to the machines to pay for my metro card. The machine did NOT accept the cash I tendered. Then, I went over to the agent to ask him for help. The agent did not meet me eye to eye. He stayed silent. He suddenly and immediately clicked a button. He gave me a menacing look. He gave me a look like the Joker (Batman's rival) with an evil smile. He said "Excuse me, can I have some police officers come down to the station". The officers did not come, because I ran immediately out of the station and went walking very far to 101st Street. I was scared for my life. I stayed at a park for a little while. I went walking for 45 minutes down to midtown Manhattan to find another Q Train to walk home. Why is this happening to me? I will absolutely point him out to you. He absolutely still works there. Incident # 2 November 27, 2025 1:00 am 86th Street Station Upper Manhattan I came back to the same station after 2 years (never got off this station after incident # 1). A group of officers intimidated me by approaching me and only me in the station (NOT the other 3 people standing right next to me). A random stranger (black-espanol, husky male) walked over to me (AND ONLY ME) and gave me eye contact and said "Hi, I called the department of Homeless Services". I immediately ran from him, very afraid, on the opposite end of the station and waited for my train to arrive. I prayed the police wouldn't follow me. What? I don't understand why? I did nothing. I just stood. I ask you to resolve this issue immediately before I make this public to the press. I am a citizen and lifelong New Yorker and I was absolutely discriminated against for no reason. I believe the agent/station is stalking me. I believe the first agent I spoke about before took my photograph without me knowing and I am secretly permanently banned from the 86th street station for absolutely no reason. I pay every single ride on the train. I am pressing charges against the MTA IF YOU DO NOT RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I will absolutely press charges against Law enforcement (NYPD) for hustling an innocent citizen who paid their train bill. I will find the group of police officers at their precinct in upper Manhattan and sue if my issue is not resolved. If you do NOT resolve this issue to my satisfaction, I am making this public to the press and I will press charges. Explain yourself. What do you think you are doing? Close down the station. They absolutely performed a dangerous illegal practice in public. This station is absolutely dangerous. One officer was a Chinese male (tall), and a Hispanic female (short). There were 50 of them. The station was empty besides 2 Chinese women and one homeless black man waiting for the train. No public safety issues. The agent and the stranger had absolutely nothing to say to the officer when they arrived. Used law enforcement for a hoax and petty revenge for looking at me. Would you call the police on a stranger who was waiting for the train? I dare you to call the police on a random stranger with a small backpack and cell phone. Nothing is coming in your mind when the police arrive. I have no idea why I was publicly stalked.

In terms of subway stations in the Belly of the Beast, this place is posh. The skankery begins further down the Q-line. Well illuminated and spacious. Escalators in working order, and no pizza-rats scurrying over your crocs.

One of the best, spacious and bright stations so far. I like the design with portraits and mosaics on the wall and high ceiling with good bright light. And the Q train is a good line to reach this part of Manhattan.

Very clean, wide open space. If the elevators or escalators fail, mountain climbing 101.

I love this station. It's got great mosaic art pieces, the q line has been the most reliable and the subway cars are much nicer and cleaner than the old ones. It is much cooler in this station than the older ones. It's got a very convenient entrance on 83rd Street but it is not wheelchair accessible on that side. (Only on the 86th street side). The escalators are huge and have been out of power a few times and it is almost comical how bad it is because many people need a break when walking up them, but it is usually okay. And it's clean and doesn't smell like bad yet so that's a plus! Also beware: just swipe your card and don't go over or under the entrance because there are normally cops that I have seen stop people a few times here.

The deepness of the station makes it uneasy to get in and out of. Dirty and kind of dangerous despite being in the UES, just like 96th Street. Homeless people everywhere, unhappy mood. Transit workers just going about their jobs despite the homeless people and disruptive passengers.

I went to a new subway station in the city for the first time which is the 2nd Ave subway on the Q Train. They have multiple elevators for accessible ♿ deepest underground train station, wider platform, free transfer, and more. I will definitely comeback again in the future for my commute.

Pretty nice starting. It was clean and had unique at work. Plus when you leave two little red hens is right there. It's a grest bakery. Mera's Tip: take the Q

The 86th and 2nd is a really big station. Really big compare to others. This is pretty new and has been in the works for a long time. It has a fun escalator. This has to be the best station on the Upper East Side. It's located between 83rd and 86th with multiple entries. It's one of the largest in the system. This serves the Q train. It takes you south into Brooklyn. The northbound takes you into Harlem. It's one of the most impressive looking stations other than Grand Central. The escalator goes on forever. It's one of the deeper stations in the city. The walls are decorated with colorful pictures of celebrities and other people. Lots of amenities. Plentiful MetroCard machines. The station is very clean and feels like it's pretty safe.

Why am I reviewing a subway station???? Because this is no ordinary station!! The Q line added 3 new stations and commissioned art work from world class artists. This station has several works from Chuck Close who is famous for tile art that transforms into a portrait when you step back. Def check it out even if you're not riding the subway.

Wow. I can honestly say that Yorkville now has the best subway stations in the whole city! After spending over $4 billion dollars how can they not be the best? Hot damn, even this jaded New Yorker has to admit the long wait was worth it. Honestly, it is so much better than expected. Large, bright, airy, multiple station openings at 86th and 83rd streets and it's situated perfectly near Fairway and close to the bar scene and shopping. It's very impressive. Plenty of new MetroCard machines, working escalators, and an elevator too. Clear signage. Even on-site booth staff. I love the Q line as it hits so many strategic spots around the city and you can connect with other lines along the way. I use it all the time, and hardly use the 4,5,6 now. Another plus is the artwork here on the walls in this station. The tile art is beautiful, and I see people taking pics of each one all the time. Heck, as long as the train runs properly that's all I really care about. This was a much needed transportation addition for the neighborhood which boasts one Manhattan's largest residential populations.

You've got to experience this Subway Station yourself. Wonderful spacious station. Clean and brand new from top to bottom and entrance to exit. The tile of the art by Chuck Close is special. I spoke to the booth MTA employee. She was not only pretty, young, and friendly, she was knowledgeable about the station and the work going on for the Second Avenue Subway. Downstairs the platform is wide and spacious. The direction signs for exit were clear. See my photos. I'm having trouble explaining how nice it is. if you get the opportunity, take a ride on the Second Avenue Subway and get off at 86th Street. There are lots of shops and Museums close to this Subway Station. Plus you can enjoy the train and the Artful Station.

This is probably my favorite subway station. Definitely the "home" station since this one was always the one that I went back to. It's very conveniently located a few blocks from Shake Shack, but also many parts of the Upper East Side are accessible from this station as well. They even have men's and women's, which aren't that bad in a pinch. I'm comparing it to the Bart system in San Francisco, and this is way better. My two favorite things about the subway is that there are express trains (which skip multiple stops in between and only go to larger, main stations) and there's an electronic banner that tells you what all of the stops on the train are. What more could you ask for?! Hella convenient and easy to read. The only heads up I have is what everyone else always advises. Be alert and don't engage with anyone if you don't want trouble or to draw attention. Most everyone is on their way somewhere so no one really cares about what you're up to. It's great. Not being sarcastic because I had so much to do, I just wanted to get on the subway to get there. Don't forget if you're supposed to be going uptown or downtown. It's literally north or south of the island of Manhattan. That and if you're leaving to Brooklyn or the Queens lines. Lastly, don't be the person that doesn't know how to swipe their metro card. It's embarrassing and people get impatient. The magnetic strip should be in your right hand, facing you and it should be downwards. I wasn't too confident about taking it when I first got into Manhattan, but ended up taking it alone the last days of my trip. And I think there are at least three Chuck Close works here- so what more could you ask for.

We had read so much about the new Second Avenue subway, we had to try it. Yes the stations and car are new and modern. It definitely fills a void for those living or working on the East side of Manhattan.

Very beautiful new subway Station. It is clean, feel safe and pretty big compare to another subway Station. I used to take Q to Queens but now I take Q to Upper East Side. Its so convenient than before when I have to go the area because I don't need to walk from Park Ave (4,5,6) to second Ave. There are arts on the wall around the staion and it's enjoyable to look at.

The perfect line, opened at the perfect time. After schlepping to the 4,5, or 6 line for years, now I can take my time. The only issue with this station is the train itself. Why does it take 500, 25 thousand, 600 minutes sometimes? Also, the escalators are narrow. There are TONS of ppl who ride this line. Couldn't they have put in more escalators? That wait can be as long as the wait for the train. Be that as it may, I'm glad that we have a line closer to the river.

While it may seem out of the ordinary to review a train station, the new second avenue line is exactly that. Long a figment of many New Yorkers imagination the line was finished after over one hundred years of planning, setbacks and building. While a train station is only as good as the trains that service it and it's locations, the station itself is a work of art. While all 3 new stations are impressive feats in and of themselves, the key differentiation is the art on display at each. 5 stars for the design and art, -100 stars for the normal state of the subway

Any MTA station where that mysterious multiplying biological organism called The Human Turd hasn't made its appearance deserves 5 stars. I almost subtracted one star for this station because you feel as if you are spelunking when you descend to its subterranean depths. This is perhaps the deepest of all the new stations, and so huge, it makes me hope that on late deserted nights, there is some police presence. I didn't time it but it certainly felt like more than 5 minutes to exit this station. It is a question if this station during the summer will resemble the inferno at the Union Square Station or at the 34 St, 6 Ave. Station. Commuters, bring plenty of iced water because if you succumb to heat prostration in these depths, it may be a while before you reach surface! And in case of emergency, practical me hopes there's an alternate means to get out that only MTA staff may know about. It's still new enough so that its walls and floors are evidently clean under the bright light. The escalators function. The working elevators are bereft of that familiar metro urine smell. The artwork here is not as interesting as that over at the 63rd Street station, with huge mosaics of faces that come together clearly as you look at them from a distance. Close up, they are almost shimmering squares of color; you can see the faces but they aren't clear until you back up. But any new MTA station is a bonus for this much crowded city and certainly plus for the UES denizens and all commuters. I urge those of you who love trains and train travel to see the new Second Avenue Line stations before urban decay settles in. I rode the train here just to see the station and it was worth the ride.

Check out what I put down for the 96th stop - and just cut/paste here. I was going to walk all the way back to the Apple Store - but just didn't have time, and so I hopped on the Q on 86th and returned to 57th / 7th. If you're coming to NYC for the first time or the 100th time - of if you live here for that matter - realize that this is just as important as any other attraction in the city - and has decades of history to boot. Treat yourself to a Q ride.

With Art by Chuck Close, this interim stop of the 3 that opened as part of Phase I of the Q's 2nd Ave Subway expansion/re-routing is a welcome addition, with some very colorful (and somewhat meaningless) signage in some areas. The listing has an odd address but the map is correct. *Like the other recent station opening along the 7 https://www.yelp.com/biz/mta-34th-street-hudson-yards-subway-station-new-york , hope these new few don't deteriorate so quickly.

My first time using the Second Ave 86 Street subway station today and I must say I'm really impressed. The subway looks great and so easy to navigate. There are elevators and escalators for easy access. And the art work in the station is gorgeous with all of the Chuck Closer portraits. I had to stop and take several pics. What a great job this station turned out to be.

I work on the east side, I also play on the east side, but I commute from the west side. The Q running along second ave. on the UES is a blessing! This station is clean, brightly lit, and has good signage. Do I think it will remain clean? No, I do not but for the time being it's nice to go and look at. At the end of the day, the Q is the only line that runs through here so if you're somewhere in Midtown West and need to get to the Upper East then this will work out well for you. For commuting purposes, I work in Midtown East so this does me no good but for visiting friends it works out great. Didn't an escalator already break down here? Still no display timers? Just MTA things.

The second avenue line was seriously a game changer for those who live in Yorkville. This stop is a block away from my apartment, which means my commute is amazing and no longer involves the miserable 4/5/6 that goes through the Bronx first. I take the Q every morning to Times Square and I'm there in about 10 minutes. I'm always able to get on the train, and the other riders are pleasant and won't shove, yell, or stab you. I've also come back to this station very late at night and always felt extremely safe. Even the musicians at this station are great and play folk/string music. I took a star off because one of the escalators at 83rd is constantly broken, which shouldn't be the case in a brand new system. Unfortunately I realize it's only a matter of time before the usual subway trash catches on to how great this place is, but in the meantime, I'll continue to enjoy it.

New, bright, airy, accessible, artsy - how many times have you used any of these descriptors for the NYC Subway? Well get over to Second Avenue and check out the new 86th Street Station while it's still bright and shiny new. Massive mezzanines, platforms, and decent amount of artwork adorns the station. Escalators? Check. Elevators? Check. And they all work. Somewhat reminiscent of the DC metro but brighter and with art. Four stars since the north and south entrances and exits only go to the east side of Second Avenue and not both sides. Now get started on the northern and southern extensions, MTA. Don't wait until our grandkids have grandkids to open the next phase.

Amazing what BILLIONS of dollars can do. I can't wait until it's complete and trains run up to Harlem. The east side needed this.

A super modern, nice clean transportation center. It's a breath of fresh air. Nice work MTA!

My new favorite train station. Super Bright, clean and It has great art work. I don't go on the UES very often, but this station is gorgeous and the Q train extension was necessary for the area. The only thing I dislike about this station is actually getting to the train. You have to take a very looooong escalator to the platform and the escalator is kinda steep. You kinda feel like you're going to fall forward. Word of advice....don't look down!

The Q @ 86th & 2nd is so nice. There is always someone playing a string instrument and it's clean and easy to navigate. My grandparents were skeptical of using public transport but if you want to get downtown from the upper east side this is the way to go.

When I first moved to my apartment, I foolishly would walk to the Lexington Ave line since Union Sq was only 3 stops away on the express. But I quickly realized all that I was missing out on by not taking the 2nd Ave line, especially when trying to travel across town. The stations are clean and feel spacious since they were recently built. Mosaics line the walls on the platform above the train platform, and it doesn't just feel like you're in tunnel underground. There are three escalators (either 2 are going down/coming up), as well as two elevators (1 to bring you from street level / 1 to bring you to the train platform after you swipe) so there's never really a human traffic jam. The station is deep but not as bad as the 7 train 34th St - Hudson Yards station stop. During peak hours, the Q will come every 5ish minutes, but late at night you're lucky if one comes every 10 - 12 minutes. At least the cars are clean and (seemingly?) more spacious than other train lines. At the end of the day, the Q saves me a walk to Lexington and will take me across town to Times Square where the transfer options are better than at Grand Central.

Open house today of the 86 street Second Avenue subway... The Station look So fantastic....But the station will open up on January 1 when the Trains start operating... Can't wait... Great Job MTA!

Came here while on my way to visit the Met. (About 10-15min of walking from the station to the Met.) Also, there seemed to be many goood food places around this station! To me, this station has been the cleaniest and most organized station in NYC so far. Q line runs regularly! I think I will come here quite often when I need to visit upstate.

Thank god this line has finally open. This is my go-to train because I live around that area and I will never ever take that overcrowded,delayable, and dysfunctional Lexington Ave line like the 6 train again, unless I still could take it to grand central for the Queens bound 7 train. Overall, this new line has made my life easier and for those who live between York Ave and 2nd Ave instead of walking four or five blocks to the Lexington Ave line. About this new 86 street station, its well done and the design is more futuristic with an illuminate arch ceiling, and some portrait of random people on the walls. The layout of the station is a single platform between two tracks and I assume the other three are the same too.

Give it six months and this station will smell too. So after 20 years the MTA couldn't find modern subway cars for the 2nd avenue line. What good is it if you built a new line with all old left over parts and technology. Honestly who is making all these decisions?

Don't be fooled by the glitz of the new stations on the 2nd Avenue Subway line (otherwise known as the Q). The service is god-awful, the station staff isn't the least bit interested in any problems you may encounter, and the trains run at speeds that are just a tad faster than a toddler on a Big Wheel. I take the Q everyday from 86th Street to switch to the F train at 63rd and Lex. And that two-station trip always takes about 15 minutes because the train crawls like a half-blind rodent. I swear you can walk faster than the Q trains on most days. All I can imagine is that in the rush to finish the project by the end of 2016, the MTA did not secure the tracks between 96th and 72nd Streets (oddly enough, I have not experienced this problem when heading uptown on the Q -- only downtown, and the slowdown happens 8 out of every 10 days). I cannot imagine any other reason the train needs to crawl like that. It's not a matter of train traffic; you could be waiting 25 minutes for a Q to arrive from 96th Street, and it still crawls to 63rd. Are there workmen on the tracks doing repairs? I guess that's possible, but why do the tracks already need repair? The line has only been open for 7 months! I tell you, it is so annoying when you're trying to get to work, and you've left plenty of time for a normal subway trip, but the Q instead transforms into a kiddie ride at Six Flags. And that doesn't even take into the account the number of times the 93-foot escalator breaks down and forces disabled people to nearly kill themselves getting to the street, or else pay another fare to go back through the station to the other end, hoping those escalators are working. When that happens (5 times already in 7 months), don't expect any help from the station attendants. If you ask why there are no signs warning that the escalators are out before you exit the turnstiles, his answer is something along the lines of "It's not my job." And if you ask him to replace the extra fare the station just stole from you, he just laughs. If you take the Q only occasionally, you're probably enthralled by the big airy stations and bright lights and fancy artwork. I can understand that. It's only with everyday visits that the cracks in the facade start to appear.

Easily the nicest subway station in all of New York, even surpasses the quality of the 7 Line stations near the Javits Center. Clean, spacious, and quiet. Fast service with new and improved train cars. If you're in the area and are debating whether or not to take the Subway and a Q or R line puts you where you need to be, give it a try.

Awesome. For the first time in thirty years or more, New York City builds something good.