For the second consecutive year, riders of New York City’s B subway line are experiencing the highest rate of delays in the system. An analysis of official MTA data reveals that in 2025, the B train arrived late approximately 26 percent of the time – meaning more than one in four trips did not meet its scheduled arrival window.
Persistent Delays on the B Line
The findings are based on the MTA’s “customer journey time performance” metric, which assesses on-time performance as completing trips within five minutes of schedule between 6am and 11pm on weekdays. The B line lagged behind all other full-length subway lines when measured against this standard.
Despite the continued challenges, there has been some improvement. The B train’s average on-time rate in 2025 reached 78.5 percent, a significant increase from 2024, when it was closer to 65 percent. However, this progress was not enough to move the B line from its position as the city’s most delayed subway route.
Underlying Causes
Several factors contribute to the B line’s struggles. The line shares tracks with multiple other lines through Manhattan, leading to congestion at key junctions. Additionally, portions of the B line still rely on aging signal infrastructure, and the use of older subway cars increases the likelihood of mechanical issues.
The D, Q, M, and F lines also experienced below-average on-time performance, with 12-month averages below 82 percent, placing them in what the analysis terms a “problematic” tier. However, none surpassed the B line in terms of delays.
In contrast, the L train demonstrated significantly higher reliability, arriving on time more than 90 percent of the time in 2025, thanks to newer cars and modern signals.
The MTA has reported overall improvements in system-wide performance compared to the previous year and pre-pandemic levels. However, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has cautioned that subway car failures are becoming the primary driver of major incidents, urging the agency to prioritize upgrades to equipment and signal systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of the time was the B train delayed in 2025?
The B train arrived late up to 26 percent of the time in 2025, meaning more than one in four trips missed their scheduled arrival window.
Which other subway lines are experiencing significant delays?
The D, Q, M, and F lines also posted 12-month on-time averages below 82 percent, placing them in the system’s “problematic” tier.
What is the MTA doing to address the delays?
The MTA has pointed to overall improvements systemwide and notes that delays are down compared to both last year and pre-pandemic levels. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has urged the agency to prioritize equipment and signal upgrades.
Do you think prioritizing subway infrastructure improvements is a worthwhile investment for New York City?