IRT (Interborough Rapid Transit)

IRT, or Interborough Rapid Transit, was New York City's first subway system, operating from 1904 until 1940 when it merged into the larger subway network. It revolutionized urban transportation by providing fast, reliable underground trains that allowed millions of people to commute efficiently across Manhattan and surrounding boroughs. The IRT's system included tunnels, elevated tracks, and stations designed to handle high ridership, significantly shaping New York’s development and city life. Today, parts of the original IRT lines remain fundamental to the city's subway system, reflecting its early innovation and contribution to modern urban transit.