Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Mind Your Ears: South Ferry Is The Loudest Subway Station
By
Lauren Evans
Published Jul 20, 2015
Modified Jul 20, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Via moeberg's flickr
By
Lauren Evans
Published Jul 20, 2015
Modified Jul 20, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The South Ferry subway station is loudest in all the land, according to a recent test of 20 stations conducted by the Post.
Noise in the station soars to 111 decibels at the arrival of a train, and according to doctors, it takes just one minute in the presence of such a din to sustain permanent hearing loss. It takes 40 seconds for the train to fully pull into the station. The good news about deafness is that once you're totally deaf (soon), you will no longer have to worry about what the train sounds are doing to your ears.
The MTA points out that when the new South Ferry Station (new in 2009, but then destroyed by Hurricane Sandy) is rebuilt, it won't be as loud. Union Square is the second noisiest station, coming in at 104 decibels. Ten of the 20 stations tested exceeded 100 decibels.
This is far from the first time a study on our cacophonous subways has been conducted: In 2013, am New York worked with an audiologist to measure subway noise, finding that the loudest station at the time was only 102 decibels.
The MTA has been allegedly trying to quiet the 109-year-old subway system for the last 35 years by lubricating tracks on sharp curves, using quieter train wheels, and installing composite brake shoes on all subway cars to stop wheels from screeching. Gripes about subway noise comprise a significant part of the city's overall 311 noise complaints, so it seems like perhaps the grievances are falling on...deaf ears.
Noise dampers seem to have quieted other trains with screaming wheels, but will it be enough to keep us all from turning into great big fat people? Probably not.
Tagged
noise
noise pollution
south ferry
subway
subway noise
Lauren Evans
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: Spy magazine is doing a Substack pop-up
Because the "Irony Epidemic" is hitting inboxes in honor of Spy's 40th anniversary, here are your early links: West Village gated school street, Trump still promising $5,000 checks, butter is in and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 8:57 a.m. ET
Bronx woman found dead and infant in critical condition after balcony fall, NYPD says
Police say it's still unclear whether the pair jumped, fell or were pushed.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Bronx woman found dead and infant in critical condition after balcony fall, NYPD says
Police say it's still unclear whether the pair jumped, fell or were pushed.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
After Trump defunding, thousands losing rental assistance in NYC may finally have relief
By
David Brand
Blind man dismissed from grand jury duty can sue NY for discrimination, judge rules
By
Samantha Max
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .