These NYC subway lines swap next month: Things to know

NEW YORK (PIX11) — Two subway lines that run between Manhattan and Queens will permanently swap their routes starting next month.

The "F" and "M" routes will be forever swapped on weekdays from roughly 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. starting Dec. 8.

What's changing

"F" trains will now stop between Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue and 47th-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center at:

• Queens Plaza
• Court Square-23rd Street
• Lexington Avenue/53rd Street
• 5th Avenue/53rd Street

"M" trains will stop between 36th Street and 47th-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center at:

• 21 Street-Queensbridge
• Roosevelt Island
• Lexington Avenue/63rd Street
• 57th Street

"M" train frequency will increase once the change is made to minimize added wait times for riders.

Why it's happening

The MTA says the change is to "provide more reliable service" for E, F, M and R train riders. These lines share tracks with each other, which increases the chance of merging or diverging (waiting for trains to cross tracks).

After the change, the "E" will share tracks with two lines, and the "M" will share with three.