Weekend subway travel in New York City can look very different from the regular weekday schedule. For the September 11–14, 2026 weekend, planned track replacement, signal modernization, structural work and accessibility improvements affect multiple subway lines, along with several Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North services.
The MTA Weekender is designed to make these planned changes easier to understand. Rather than treating every disruption as an unexpected delay, it gives riders advance information about planned work, alternative trains, free shuttle buses and affected stations.
For this weekend, some of the biggest changes involve the 6, G, J, M, N, R, A, C, D and F trains, while LIRR riders face changes between Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal and on the Ronkonkoma Branch. Metro-North’s New Haven Line is also operating with a modified weekend schedule because of major infrastructure work.
Important: Weekend work can be updated or extended by the MTA. Check the latest service alert before leaving, particularly if your trip involves a transfer.
What Is the MTA Weekender?
The MTA Weekender is the MTA’s weekly guide to planned weekend transit changes. It covers major changes affecting the New York City subway as well as Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad services.
The Weekender was introduced to give customers a consolidated view of major weekend work and travel alternatives. It complements the MTA’s planned-work information and other real-time service tools.
The key distinction is that planned service changes are not the same as unexpected subway delays. A planned closure or reroute usually results from work such as:
- Track replacement
- Track maintenance
- Signal modernization
- Station accessibility improvements
- Structural repairs
- Communications upgrades
- Switch installation
- Other infrastructure projects
That means riders can often avoid the worst disruption simply by checking their route before starting the journey.
Major NYC Subway Service Changes This Weekend
The September 11–14 weekend includes several significant changes. The most important ones are summarized below.
| Line | Main change | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | No service between Hunts Point Av and 125 St | Free shuttle buses; 4 service |
| G | No service between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Court Sq | Free T403 shuttle buses |
| J | No service between Crescent St and Broad St | M train and free T430 shuttles |
| N | Overnight reroute via Q between DeKalb Av and Canal St | Nearby 2/4/J and Q options |
| R | Late-night suspension between Whitehall St and Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr | D/N/Q/2/4 alternatives |
| A/C | Several Manhattan stops skipped | 1, A, C and D alternatives |
| D | Uptown trains run local between 59 St and 125 St | Allow extra travel time |
| F/G | Several Brooklyn stops affected | F/G transfers and B68 bus |
| 1 | Upper Manhattan stops skipped on Saturday/Sunday | Transfer to another 1 train |
The following sections explain the changes in more practical terms.
6 Train: Major Bronx and Manhattan Disruption
The 6 train has one of the most significant weekend changes.
From Friday, September 11 at 9:30 p.m. through Monday, October 19 at 5 a.m., there is no 6 service between Hunts Point Avenue and 125 Street during the affected work periods.
The 6 operates in two sections, while free shuttle buses connect the affected portion:
- One 6 section runs between Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall and 125 Street and via the 4 line toward 149th Street-Grand Concourse.
- Another 6 section runs between Hunts Point Avenue and Pelham Bay Park.
- Free shuttle buses operate between 125 Street and Hunts Point Avenue.
- Local shuttle buses serve the intermediate 6 stations, while a nonstop option connects the two endpoints.
The work is associated with track replacement, so passengers traveling through the Bronx should allow substantially more time.
G Train: Signal Modernization Between Brooklyn and Queens
The G train is suspended between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Court Square from Friday night through Monday morning.
G trains continue between Church Avenue and Bedford-Nostrand Avenues, with free T403 shuttle buses connecting Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Court Square.
The work is part of signal modernization, which is particularly important for the G because modern signaling can improve reliability and capacity over the longer term.
There is also track replacement affecting the F and G around:
- 4 Avenue-9 Street
- 15 Street-Prospect Park
- Fort Hamilton Parkway
For these stops, riders can transfer between the F and G or consider the B68 bus around Prospect Park Southwest.
J and M Trains: Brooklyn–Manhattan Service Changes
The J train has a major planned suspension from Crescent Street in Brooklyn to Broad Street in Manhattan, beginning Friday night and continuing through Monday morning.
J trains operate between Jamaica Center and Crescent Street, where the service ends. The M train provides additional service, running between Metropolitan Avenue and Delancey Street-Essex Street and continuing via the J to Broad Street.
Free T430 shuttle buses provide two options:
- A local shuttle making J stops between Crescent Street and Myrtle Avenue.
- An express shuttle between Crescent Street and Myrtle Avenue, stopping at Broadway Junction.
For Lower Manhattan, riders can also use the A, C or L and transfer around Broadway Junction.
This is particularly important for travelers using the J for weekend trips between Brooklyn and Manhattan.
N and R Trains: Overnight and Weekend Reroutes
The N train is affected by several changes.
Overnight from Friday through Monday, N trains run via the Q line between DeKalb Avenue and Canal Street in both directions. Riders traveling to locations such as Whitehall Street, Rector Street, Cortlandt Street and City Hall should consider nearby 2, 4 or J stations.
During the weekend, Manhattan-bound N trains also skip several Queens stations, including:
- 30 Avenue
- Broadway
- 36 Avenue
- 39 Avenue-Dutch Kills
In Brooklyn, some Coney Island-bound N trains skip stations including 8 Avenue, Fort Hamilton Parkway, New Utrecht Avenue, 18 Avenue, 20 Avenue and Bay Parkway.
The R train also has overnight changes. There is no late-night R between Whitehall Street-South Ferry and Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center. R trains instead run between Bay Ridge-95 Street and 36 Street and express between 36 Street and Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center.
A, C and D Trains: Manhattan Stops Affected
Upper Manhattan riders should pay particular attention to the A, C and D trains.
The downtown A skips several local Manhattan stops during the overnight work period, including:
- 116 Street
- 110 Street
- 103 Street
- 96 Street
- 86 Street
- 81 Street
- 72 Street
The MTA’s recommended strategy is to transfer between A trains at 59th Street-Columbus Circle or 125th Street. Nearby 1 train stations can also provide an alternative.
The C train also skips a group of Upper West Side stops during daytime weekend service, including 116 Street, 110 Street, 103 Street, 96 Street, 86 Street, 81 Street and 72 Street.
Meanwhile, uptown D trains run local between 59th Street-Columbus Circle and 125th Street through Monday morning.
F Train: Brooklyn Station Changes
The F line also has weekend work in Brooklyn.
On Saturday and Sunday, Manhattan-bound F trains skip:
- Avenue P
- Avenue N
- Bay Parkway
- Avenue I
Passengers can ride to 18 Avenue or Kings Highway and transfer to the appropriate F train to reach the skipped stations.
The F is also affected by the same track replacement project affecting the G around 4 Avenue-9 Street, 15 Street-Prospect Park and Fort Hamilton Parkway.
1 Train: Upper Manhattan Stops Skipped
The 1 train has a specific weekend change from Saturday morning through Sunday evening.
Downtown 1 trains skip:
- 125 Street
- 116 Street-Columbia University
- Cathedral Parkway-110 Street
- 103 Street
Passengers can travel to 96 Street and transfer to an uptown 1 for the affected stations. For trips in the opposite direction, riders can use 168 Street-Washington Heights and transfer to a downtown 1.
LIRR Weekend Service Changes
The subway isn’t the only part of the MTA affected by planned work.
Jamaica–Atlantic Terminal Service Suspended
From Friday, September 11 at 11 p.m. through Monday, September 14 at 2:30 a.m., there are no LIRR trains between Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal because of track maintenance.
Instead, LIRR riders can use the subway. The MTA permits LIRR customers to enter several subway stations at no additional charge during the disruption, including Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center, Broadway Junction, Nostrand Avenue and 34 Street-Penn Station.
This is particularly important for passengers who normally rely on the LIRR Atlantic Terminal–Jamaica connection.
The last Friday-night trains are scheduled to leave Jamaica at 10:39 p.m. and Atlantic Terminal at 11:01 p.m.
source: cloud.info.mta.org
Ronkonkoma Branch: Shuttle Buses Replace Trains
The Ronkonkoma Branch also has planned work from September 11–14.
Buses replace trains between Central Islip and Ronkonkoma, while service between Farmingdale and Central Islip is reduced to hourly. During daytime hours, every other train operates between Farmingdale and Penn Station.
The change is related to switch installation, making it another example of why checking the weekend schedule before heading to Long Island is essential.
Metro-North Weekend Service Changes
Metro-North’s New Haven Line is undergoing major weekend work connected with the WALK Bridge replacement project in Norwalk.
For September 12–13, service between New Haven and Stamford is significantly reduced. Metro-North is operating modified schedules, including reduced Grand Central-New Haven service and shuttle operations between New Haven and Bridgeport.
The western section between Grand Central Terminal and Stamford, including Westchester and Greenwich stations, is generally not affected by the major reduction, apart from a schedule adjustment affecting one Saturday morning train.
Metro-North expects approximately 30% fewer seats than a typical weekend during the September 12–13 and September 19–20 work periods, so passengers should check TrainTime before traveling and expect crowded trains.
How Should You Plan Around MTA Weekend Changes?
The best strategy is to check the service status before you leave rather than waiting until you reach the station.
1. Check your exact line
A general subway map doesn’t always show temporary weekend changes clearly. Look specifically for your train line and destination.
2. Check the first and last affected times
Some changes begin Friday evening and continue into Monday morning, while others only affect Saturday or Sunday daytime service.
3. Look for shuttle buses
When the MTA provides a free shuttle, it is usually the primary replacement for a suspended subway segment. But shuttle buses can take longer than trains because of street traffic.
4. Consider another subway line
Sometimes a nearby subway line is faster than taking a shuttle. For example, riders affected by the J suspension can consider the A, C or L depending on their destination.
5. Allow extra transfer time
Weekend service changes often mean an additional transfer. Stations can become crowded where several routes converge.
6. Check accessibility before traveling
Not every temporary travel alternative is guaranteed to provide the same accessibility as the normal route. The MTA specifically warns that some alternatives associated with planned work may not be fully accessible.
Why Does the MTA Schedule So Much Work on Weekends?
Weekend disruptions can be frustrating, but they allow the MTA to perform infrastructure work while avoiding some of the busiest weekday travel periods.
The work covered by the September Weekender includes several different types of investment:
- Track replacement helps maintain safe and reliable train operations.
- Signal modernization can improve the way trains are controlled and potentially support better service.
- Switch installation improves the infrastructure that allows trains to move between tracks.
- Structural maintenance addresses bridges, tunnels and other physical components.
- Accessibility improvements upgrade stations and make the system easier to use for more passengers.
The important distinction is that a weekend closure isn’t necessarily a sign of a system failure. Much of the work is planned maintenance intended to reduce future disruptions and improve the network.
MTA Weekender Schedule: What Should Riders Remember?
For the September 11–14, 2026 weekend, the biggest takeaways are:
- The 6 is split between Hunts Point Avenue and 125 Street, with free shuttle buses.
- The G does not run between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Court Square.
- The J does not run between Crescent Street and Broad Street.
- The M provides additional service for J riders.
- The N and R have overnight changes.
- The A, C, D, F and 1 have various weekend reroutes or skipped stops.
- LIRR trains do not run between Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal during the specified weekend work period.
- The Ronkonkoma Branch uses substitute buses between Central Islip and Ronkonkoma.
- Metro-North’s New Haven Line has reduced weekend service because of WALK Bridge construction.
The practical lesson is simple: don’t assume your normal weekend route will operate normally. Check the MTA’s planned service information immediately before traveling, especially when crossing boroughs or transferring between subway and commuter rail.
Custom FAQs
What is the MTA weekend schedule in NYC?
The MTA does not use one single weekend schedule for every subway line. Instead, individual routes may run with normal weekend frequencies, reduced service, reroutes, skipped stops or suspended sections because of planned work. The MTA Weekender summarizes major planned changes for the weekend.
What is the MTA subway Weekender schedule?
The MTA Weekender is a weekly guide to planned weekend changes affecting subway, LIRR and Metro-North service. It is particularly useful for identifying closures, reroutes, skipped stations and alternate travel options before a weekend trip.
Where can I find the MTA Weekender map?
The MTA provides planned-service information through its transit information tools, including its Weekender information and planned service changes. Riders should check the current version shortly before traveling because service plans can change.
What is the MTA subway Weekender?
The MTA Weekender is the MTA’s weekly roundup of major planned weekend service changes. It covers subway and commuter-rail changes and provides information about alternatives for affected riders.
What are the main MTA weekend service changes for September 11–14, 2026?
The major changes include disruptions to the 6, G, J, M, N, R, A, C, D, F and 1 trains, as well as LIRR and Metro-North service changes. Major examples include the 6 suspension between Hunts Point Avenue and 125 Street, the G suspension between Bedford-Nostrand Avenues and Court Square, and the J suspension between Crescent Street and Broad Street.
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