To close out our “In The Neighborhood” series, which took a deep dive into both the Upper East Side and Upper West Side, we wanted to look at something that impacts tens of thousands of people commuting from these areas: the subway.

Namely, we wanted to know which side of town has faster subway lines. So we went about it the only way we could. We had a race. Using our phones and a tracking app, we documented the journey.

What You Need To Know

  • MTA data shows both neighborhoods have more trains arrive on time compared to the average MTA line

  • U.S. Census data shows there are about 90,000 New Yorkers taking the train to commute in Community Boards 7 and 8, which primarily make up the Upper East and Upper West Sides

  • The Upper East Side lines are the 4, 5, 6 and Q

  • The Upper West Side lines are the 1, 2, 3, B and C

Roger Clark went to 86th Street and Lexington Avenue to test the Upper East Side. Pat Kiernan went to 96th Street and Broadway to handle the Upper West Side. The end site: Washington Square Park.

Data shows similar success for the number of trains arriving on time at the stations Clark and Kiernan went to. To see who got to Washington Square Park faster on this specific morning, check out the video above.