<P> The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority , a subsidiary agency of the state - run Metropolitan Transportation Authority ( MTA ) . Opened in 1904 , the New York City Subway is one of the world 's oldest public transit systems , one of the world 's most used metro systems , and the metro system with the most stations . It offers service 24 hours per day on every day of the year . </P>
when did the subway open in new york
1904