History 191st Street (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)

the west side branch of first subway extended northward temporary terminus of 221st street , broadway on march 12, 1906 station @ 191st street not yet open. elevators , other work had not yet been completed, , 191st street did not open public until january 14, 1911.

in 1948, platforms on irt broadway–seventh avenue line 103rd street 238th street lengthened 514 feet allow full ten-car express trains platform. stations platform 6 car local trains. platform extensions opened in stages. on april 6, 1948, stations 103rd street dyckman street had platform extensions opened, exception of 125th street, had extension opened on june 11, 1948.

on december 28, 1950, new york city board of transportation issued report concerning construction of bomb shelters in subway system. 5 deep stations in washington heights, including 191st street station, considered ideal being used bomb-proof shelters. program expected cost $104,000,000. these shelters expected provide limited protection against conventional bombs, while providing protection against shock waves , air blast, heat , radiation atomic bomb. become suitable shelters, stations require water-supply facilities, first-aid rooms, , additional bathrooms.

in 2004, number of elevator attendants @ station reduced 1 per station result of budget cuts metropolitan transportation authority (mta). agency had intended remove attendants, kept 1 in each station after many riders protested. change saved $1.2 million year. in november 2007, mta proposed savings cuts reduce agency s deficit. part of plan, elevator operators @ 191st street, along in 4 other stations in washington heights, have been cut. on december 7, 2007, mta announced not remove remaining elevator operators @ 191st street, along in 4 other stations in washington heights. move intended save $1.7 million year, not implemented due pushback elected officials , residents area.

the elevator attendants serve way reassure passengers elevators primary entrance platforms, , passengers wait elevators attendant. attendants @ 5 stations maintenance , cleaning workers suffered injuries made hard them continue doing original jobs.