Canal St JZ Subway Station

It’s just so complex and vast with so many unknown connections, I feel uneasy being on the wrong end of the car. Overall, not that dirty a station and the convenience is high given its uniquely being able to access areas not much served by any other line. Not too unsafe and overall, it’s decent thus the rating.

Why is this summer flying by… sighhh…
My first step got me thinking about whether if they ever clean this train station or not… Very random… But i actually get that feeling every time i’m here… compared to the other stations this one runs pretty frequently… there’s never any delays or train traffic… which is always good!

The Canal St Station On The J & Z Subway Lines Is One Of The Most Creepiest Stations In The System Because Just like Chambers St & Bowery stations, On The Opposite Side There was a former subway platform that the J, the former M & Z use to use before switching it over to the new platform that is currently used today. The J & Z Operates from Jamaica Parsons Archer, Queens to Broad St, Manhattan. The J is full time while the Z is weekday rush hours only. Here at Canal St on the J & Z, you transfer to the 6, N, Q & R trains.

One of the train stations that I feel really unsafe in. Not because of the people that ride it but because of the way the train station is structured and the number of people going through it.
There are multiple entrances/​exits to this train station. Unless you are familiar with this train station, you might have some difficulty finding the exit closest to your destination.
Whenever I go to this train station, I always exit through the J, Z train exit. Walking to the exit can be a bit unsafe because multiple people walk out at once. There are three turnstiles and a side door. When people go out through the turnstiles, everyone that wants to swipe in have to wait. When people leave through the side door, people that wants to come down the stairs either have to wait or go down the other steps.
There are multiple layers to this train station because the 6, J, N, Q, R, and Z trains go through here.
Walking down to the N, Q platform is a safety hazard. On multiple occasions, I slipped and fell down the stairs walking down to the platform. I have also witnessed other people falling walking down. The steps are extra slippery on a rainy/​snowy day. This platform is also really small. To prevent people from falling on to the track, they built a barrier in front of the stairs but this train station is always crowded so it does not do much.
The only pro about this train station is that it is located conveniently in the middle of Chinatown.
I hope they would fix up this train station and make it safer for the people going through it everyday.

Crappy, grimy subway station… what’s not to like?
I’ve been taking this train a lot lately – about 10 times a week – so I’ll weigh in. Now that at least half the J and Z trains are the modern brushed-​stainless-​steel cars, it’s quite a civilized ride. Personally, I prefer the old cars anyway, but apparently you can text and use your phone in some of the new cars.
Naturally, there is no cell or Wi-​Fi reception in this station. You gets what you pays for.
(Actually, I stand corrected; in the eastern-​most part of the station – on the J/​Z platform – there’s actually pretty good cell reception.)
It’s a labyrinthine trek to get to the 6 or the N/​Q/​R trains from the J/​Z, and it’s not always apparent how to get to the right platform. However, four or five days a week I find myself taking the J two stops down to Canal street.

Good sized subway station, with a lot of easy transfer points.

I like this station. It helps with transfers to BK. And it’s well lit/​spacious.

Larger station and fairly consistent quality of other subway stops (crowded, occasional unpleasant smells, etc.) but it does take you right out into Chinatown. You can also get the 6 train as well as the N, Q, R line here.

This is like any other NYC train station. You will not get a train at a specific time, but who cares?! Eventually, you will catch the train, and be on your merry way! =]

We had a blast riding the subway to Canal Street where we did more shopping and visited Chinatown and Little Italy. It was my first subway ride.
My only complaint is to WATCH WHAT YOU BUY from these flea market vendors on Canal St. We bought some perfume that we were told was authentic but in fact there were fakes… really bad replicates at that! I’m glad I didn’t end up giving them away as gifts without checking it out first. They let you smell a tester that’s the real thing, then give you the fakie in a sealed box… the old switchero! We went back and get out $$ back immediately even though most vendors claim no refunds or exchanges… they werent’ about to get me!

I had a blast riding this train on my way to Chinatown. This was the only one I had cell phone reception in. It was a great experience despite the smell of piss everywhere. I look forward to doing it again.

This is my favorite of the Manhattan-​side J (formerly M) Z stations. That’s because there’s cell phone reception on the J platform, and that’s a super nice thing when I’m drunk and stuck between trains at 2 in the morning without a book or companion.* Additionally, if you stand at the right place on the platform, you can get out of the J (or the Q) and go straight down (or up) to the Q (or the J).
This place is not without its faults. The walk from any other part of the station (the 6 but especially the local NQR track) to the J platform is absolutely abysmal, and is the reason why I’ve missed train after late night train. Additionally, it can smell really funky and get super chilly. I’ve even seen it snow into the station, and not from one of the entrances or exits. Finally, those stairways aren’t the most convenient because they are so freaking narrow.
And now that I’ve though about it, I’ve encountered a large amount of vomit at this station. Super gross!
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*It should be noted that Verizon is my carrier.

This being a hub of trains in Chinatown. About 8 or so trains run through this station.
The floors here always seem wet in some way. There is no longer an Agent at this part of the station. You’ll have to walk over to the 6 train part of the Station.
The MTA seems to just hate immigrants. Many Chinese immigrants (who don’t speak English) come and go through this station. They often find trouble swiping their metrocards or using the metrocard machines. Some of them even get lost and have no idea how to get where they need to be.
The MTA is basically giving a giant F*** You.

Now… having been through many of NYC’s subway stations… this one is a sorry excuse for a transport access in the city. The ONLY reason why I use this station? It’s the closest one into the heart of chinatown. Otherwise? No thanks.
Here are some reasons why:
1. Very tight hallways and stairways.
2. Not accessible to the physically challenged.
3. It can be a bit confusing if you don’t pay close attention to the signs.
I pray one day they budget for improvements here because I seriously think this station needs a revamp.

This train station is so dirty !

I try to avoid this station as much as I can… only use it when it is an emergency … trains are not the fastest in the world and then there is the line where you have to swipe your card that line is for ever and ever… it be faster if you take another train and then transfer some where to where you need to go…

Efficient
I’m impressed. As a visitor, I purchased the unlimited pass for the subway as well as the bus system but have to confess, am pretty impressed with the transportation system here.
The agents are friendly and since I was really good at looking lost and dumb, someone would always volunteer assistance.
The seats are clean and hopping on the JMZ to get to Little Italy earlier tonight was so easy, I may have done it blindfolded.
But I did have my two fingers crossed for good luck. From Bowling Green to Bowery, we were out and running to get some good lasagna. NY, my friends, has an awesome system here and I know I’m going to miss it when I leave.

For a high density subway station with multiple transfer points I give four stars because of the decent upkeep and the renovations made 6+ years ago.
Sure, this station still has leaks, and doesn’t look fully renovated. But for a high density station, it is kept in decent shape.
This station, use to operate with two open Large platforms with 4 tracks combined. Funny thing was the inner middle tracks didn’t go no where — yet MTA still allowed both platforms opened. I mean before the renovations — you should have seen this station — it was HORRID. People wanting to go across the Williamsburg side had to enter from the Bay Parkway destination entrance and walk a block to two blocks underneath the ground. It was just dumb.
Well, Canal St JMZ only has two tracks and kept the old Bay Parkway side opened. They also made two stairs directly connection to the Q & N trains.
Only negative is yes –sure the entrance is much bigger — but it’s only one exit point now — on Centre St. There’s only three turnstiles and it’s pure hell getting IN during rush hours. OUT is easier cause many people open the emergency exit door, which doesn’t ring.
Many people — especially the middle age — senior chinese nationals DON’T KNOW HOW TO USE A METROCARD! so be prepared to wait…
O yea the clerks are rude