Broad Channel is a small island with fewer than 3,000 residents , and as a result , it has historically been one of the least-used stations in the system . In 1985 , the station had only 224 paying daily riders on a typical weekday not counting farebeaters ( people not paying their fare ) making it one of the least used stations in the system . The station has the second-lowest ridership in the subway system as of 2015 , with 91,766 annual riders , or 310 riders per weekday . In terms of annual ridership , it was only trailed by WTC Cortlandt , a station that was closed to be rebuilt as a result of damage from the September 11 attacks . Overall , Broad Channel is the least used of any fully operating subway station in the city , although on weekdays it has on average 5 more riders than the Beach 105th Street station . However , it is the only transfer point between the A train and the Rockaway Park Shuttle , and some 2,700 daily riders use it in this capacity . As a result , the platforms are sometimes packed
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Broad Channel station