This NYC Subway Station Got 123 Million Dollars' Worth Of Improvements For Riders

New York City's underground trains are a draw for travelers who want to easily move around the city, but their squeaky rail lines, frequent interruptions, and dingy walls are less than desirable for an early morning commute. The NYC subway system opened in 1904, and although it has been updated over the years, its old age is felt by passengers in the Bronx. However, the 149 Street-Grand Concourse Station has received a multi-million-dollar makeover, enhancing the riding experience for all who grace the transit hub and even receiving a name change.

The 149 Street-Grand Concourse Station is one of the oldest in the Bronx, opening in 1905 as Mott Avenue Station, according to Gothamist. While the original underground trains here were primarily accessible via elevators due to the depth and elevation changes, they were removed in the 1970s. However, Gothamist reports that a $123 million refurbishment of the station has worked to install new elevators and make the station ADA-compliant, as part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's plan to make 95% of stations in NYC accessible by 2055. The station's headhouse was also restored to its former glory, as the mosaic tiles and bricks were cleaned. The elevators are set to open by the end of summer 2026, after at least five years of planning and construction. And although external renovations are underway for the underground trains, NYC's subway system is still intrinsically chaotic.

In addition to the new elevators found at the 149 Street-Grand Concourse Station, the signage has also changed to reflect a new name. In 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill to change the name of the station to 149 Street-Hostos Station, but the signs were only recently installed with the new elevators. While the new name is in reference to the nearby Hostos Community College, some users on social media are disgruntled over the change. The Instagram profile @newyorkers posted a video of the new sign, with a caption over the video that reads, "We still calling it Grand Concourse." Similarly, in the r/nycrail Reddit thread, one user states, "This one is going to be hard for me to adjust to. I guess because it's such a significant station and major transfer point. It just feels weird to me."

The 149 Street-Hostos Station services line 4, also known as the Lexington Avenue Express, which begins in the Irish neighborhood of Woodlawn (one of NYC's best hidden gems), runs through Manhattan, and ends in Brooklyn. The renovated stop is found at the intersection of 149th Street and Grand Concourse, in the heart of the Bronx. To go from the Hostos station to the other end of the line in Crown Heights (where you can discover the "soul of Brooklyn" and its Caribbean culture), ride the train for about 45 minutes, barring any delays.