a black background with vermillion border. Small "169" and directional tile captions in white lettering on a black background run below the trim line and name tablets. Lime green I-beams run along the platforms and mezzanine at regular intervals, alternating ones having the standard black station name plate with white lettering. The station has a full-length mezzanine above the platforms with a crossover between both platforms. When the station opened, IND engineers had concluded that only a small portion of the mezzanine was needed, which led to a 1959 proposal to convert the mezzanine into an underground parking garage. Despite this, the 169th Street station's mezzanines included turnstiles and change booths at both ends, in contrast to several other stations on the same line, which included turnstiles at only one end. Above the Manhattan-bound platform, the mezzanine gets narrower as it makes way for employee space. Due to low clearance, a "DO NOT JUMP" message in black letters is painted on the white tiles of the ceiling above one of the 179th Street-bound staircases. Exits There are two fare control areas at either end of the mezzanine. The full-time entrances are at 169th Street, and stairs go up to all four corners of that intersection. , the 169th Street turnstile bank consists of six regular turnstiles, two High Entry-Exit Turnstiles, and two high exit-only turnstiles. The 169th Street entrances have been the full-time entrances since 1988, when the Archer Avenue lines opened, dramatically reducing ridership at this station. The part-time entrances are at 168th Street, with stairs going up to all four corners; this was the full-time entrance until 1988. The 168th Street turnstile bank also has six regular turnstiles, two HEETs, and two high exit-only turnstiles. At both entrances, staircases go up to all four corners of the street's intersection with Hillside Avenue. When it was originally built, the station had staffed token booths at both fare control areas. The 169th Street station is the closest to the 165th Street Bus Terminal, though the entrances at 168th Street are closer than those at 169th Street. Notes References External links Station Reporter — F Train The Subway Nut — 169th Street Pictures 169th Street entrance from Google Maps Street View 168th Street entrance from Google Maps Street View Platform from Google Maps Street View IND Queens Boulevard Line stations 1937 establishments in New York City New York City Subway stations