After a captivating two-week online contest spanning eight rounds, social media users have declared Smith-9th Street station as the undisputed champion of New York City’s subway system. This unique accolade, decided through a Twitter poll, highlights the deep connection New Yorkers have with their transit system and the diverse reasons behind their station preferences.
In a closely contested final round, Smith-9th Street station narrowly edged out Broadway Junction, securing 51.6% of nearly 1,600 votes cast. Queensboro Plaza rounded out the top three in this engaging public vote. The online tournament was the brainchild of Sunny Ng, a Williamsburg-based software engineer and dedicated transit enthusiast. Ng, known for creating the Weekendest, an interactive subway service map, and Subwaydle, a transit-themed word game, launched the poll amidst the uncertainty surrounding Twitter’s future under new ownership.
“In recent weeks, we’ve seen a shift in the Twitter landscape,” Ng explained in an interview with amNewYork Metro. “I felt it was the perfect moment to tap into the collective opinion of New York’s vibrant transit community.” Recognizing New Yorkers’ strong opinions, Ng undertook the ambitious task of ranking hundreds of subway stations. Faced with 472 stations and Twitter’s bracket limitations, Ng cleverly devised a system.
Software engineer Sunny Ng (pictured at the winning station) launched the poll to find New Yorkers’ favorite station before Twitter goes kaput.
To streamline the competition, the 200 stations with the highest ridership during the week of December 5th were automatically advanced to the first round. The remaining 56 slots were then determined through a qualifying round, paving the way for a head-to-head bracket-style tournament. It’s worth noting that station complexes with internal transfers, such as 42nd St-Times Square and 42nd St-Port Authority Bus Terminal, were treated as single entities for voting purposes, despite the MTA’s official separate designations.
The ensuing rounds ignited passionate engagement from subway aficionados. Enthusiasts rallied behind their favored stations, celebrating victories and lamenting defeats as vote counts surged with each stage. Major transit hubs, typically bustling with commuters, including Times Square, Grand Central, Union Square, Atlantic Ave-Barclays Center, and Coney Island, surprisingly fell out of contention as the competition progressed.
The final showdown pitted Smith-9th Street against Broadway Junction, both located in Brooklyn and each boasting a dedicated following with distinct justifications for their preference. Ng observed, “It’s fascinating to witness New Yorkers’ intricate relationship with the subway system and stations. The diverse reasons people voted for different stations truly highlight this connection.”
Smith-9th Street station, serving the F and G lines in the Gowanus neighborhood, holds the distinction of being the world’s highest elevated subway station. Perched approximately 87 feet above the Gowanus Canal, it offers unparalleled panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and the surrounding cityscape, making it a unique point within the transit network. Its dramatic height and striking vistas have contributed to its iconic status among subway stations.
Smith-9th narrowly beat Broadway Junction in the final of the weekslong Twitter contest.
Broadway Junction, situated in East New York, serves as a crucial transfer hub for the A, C, J, L, and Z lines, encompassing both underground and elevated sections. Adjacent to a sprawling train yard in an industrial area, this station provides a raw, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the intricate infrastructure that powers New York’s transportation system. For many, its appeal lies in witnessing the constant motion and operational ballet of the subway network.
Throughout the tournament, voting motivations were varied and personal. Factors such as station architecture, ease of navigation, proximity to home, and even intangible aesthetic preferences played a role in shaping votes. When approached for comment, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber humorously declined to pick favorites among his “472 children.”
“We cherish all 472 stations,” Lieber stated at a press conference in the Bronx. “They are all exceptional in their own right, and we gladly defer to the discerning judgment of the Twitter community to determine the ultimate #1 station.” This lighthearted poll underscores the significant role subway stations play in the daily lives and collective consciousness of New Yorkers, revealing a fascinating interplay between functionality, aesthetics, and personal experience within the urban transit landscape.
