At Long Last: The Second Avenue Subway Officially Opens For Business

Nearly a century after it was first discussed, the long-awaited Second Avenue Subway opened for business early Sunday morning.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and dignitaries from the City, State and Federal governments took a ceremonial ride on the first train to travel the line along Second Avenue from 72nd Street to 96th Street.

The first segment of the Second Avenue Subway extends the "Q" Line, which runs from Coney Island to Midtown Manhattan, all the way up to the Upper East Side, with three new stations along the Second Avenue corridor and one remodeled station at Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street to provide easy transfer to the "F" Line.

Full revenue service began at 12pm Sunday with all three station opening at 11:45am. Service will run from 6am to 10pm until Sunday, January 8 with full 24-hour service commencing at 6am on Monday, January 9.

Plans to extend the "Q" Line to 125th Street in East Harlem are currently in the planning stage.

Video courtesy of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority