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The Stagecoach
Abraham Brower established New York City's first public transportation route, a 12-seat stagecoach called "Accommodation" that ran along Broadway from the Battery to Bleecker Street. -
Elevated Railroad
New York City's he city's first regular elevated railway service began. -
Bidding Period Opens
The city decided to have the new subway municipally owned by privately operated, resulting in the formation of the Board of Rapid Transit Commissioners. On November 15, 1899, a 60-day bidding period opened. -
John B. McDonald Wins the Bid!
On January 15, 1900, John B. McDonald, backed financially by August Belmont, won the bid to build the city's first subway for 35 million dollars. -
Breaking Groung for the Subway
On March 24, 1900, Mayor Robert Anderson van Wyck broke ground in front of City Hall for the IRT East Side Line. -
The Interborough Rapid Transit Co. Takes Over
Halfway through the building of the subway line, in 1902, the Interborough Rapid Transit Co. took over the supervision of the construction work as an operating lessee. -
Trial Runs
By September 1, 1904, the power was on for trial runs of the IRT East Side Line. -
Announcement of Service
By October 23, 1904, newspapers announced service would officially begin the following Thursday. -
Opening Day!
The IRT East Side line began offering full service at 5 cents a ride.
