NYC Renames 23 St Station to Help Riders Navigate

MTA renames 23 St station on 6 line to include Baruch College for easier wayfinding

MTA Renames 23 St Station for Baruch College

Manhattan subway riders now have a clearer way to find Baruch College. The MTA officially renamed the 23 St station on the 6 line to 23 St-Baruch College Station on October 17, 2024, Janno Lieber, MTA Chair and CEO, announced at an unveiling ceremony. The change affects the station at 23rd Street and Lexington Avenue, where thousands of students, faculty, and visitors travel daily.

Strengthening Transit-Community Connections

The renaming follows a growing trend among transit agencies to incorporate landmark names into station designations for improved wayfinding. "This station renaming is about more than just a sign change—it's about strengthening the connection between our transit system and the communities we serve," Lieber said at the ceremony. Baruch College has been a presence in the neighborhood since 1919, when it was founded as the City College School of Business and Civic Administration. The college became an independent senior college within the CUNY system in 1968. The MTA didn't disclose the cost of the renaming project.

Following Established Naming Patterns

The designation mirrors similar station renamings across the MTA system and other major transit networks. In 2019, the MTA renamed the 116 St station to 116 St-Columbia University, recognizing that institution's presence in the area. Boston's MBTA has long incorporated university names into station designations, with Harvard, MIT, Boston University, and Northeastern stations all referencing nearby academic institutions. S. David Wu, President of Baruch College, said the college is "honored that the MTA has recognized Baruch College's presence in this community with this station renaming." Station-specific ridership data wasn't immediately available.

Implementation Complete at Manhattan Station

The renaming took effect immediately following the October 17 ceremony, with new signage installed at the station. Demetrius Crichlow, Senior Vice President of Subways at New York City Transit, attended the unveiling along with local elected officials. Details about when the renaming was first proposed weren't disclosed. The 23 St station has served riders since 1904, when it opened as part of the first New York City subway line.

Easier Navigation for College Community

The new name should help students and visitors locate the campus more easily, particularly those unfamiliar with the neighborhood. "This will make it easier for our students, many of whom rely on public transportation, to find their way to campus," Wu said. Baruch College didn't provide statistics on student usage of the station. Riders can check Moovit for real-time updates and directions to the newly renamed 23 St-Baruch College Station.