During many weekends from 2017 to 2019, service ran between 241st Street and Flatbush Avenue, replacing 2 service. Peak service on White Plains Road was cut from 241st Street to 238th Street. Since 1983, most trains run only to Bowling Green or Flatbush Avenue, although some rush-hour trains still run to/from Utica or New Lots Avenues. The section between Dyre Avenue and East 180th Street, which was acquired from the defunct New York, Westchester and Boston Railway and started operating as a shuttle in 1941, was connected to the rest of the subway in 1957 and became part of the 5 in 1965. Its northern terminal was originally Wakefield–241st Street or East 180th Street. Historically, the 5 has run south to Crown Heights–Utica Avenue or New Lots Avenue.

The 5 short turns at Bowling Green in the Financial District of Manhattan on weekends and operates as a shuttle between Dyre Avenue and East 180th Street during late nights. Limited rush hour service originates and/or terminates at Nereid Avenue or Gun Hill Road/White Plains Road in the Bronx instead of Dyre Avenue, as well as either at Utica or New Lots Avenues in Brooklyn instead of Flatbush Avenue. During rush hours in the peak direction, 5 trains operate express in the Bronx between East 180th Street and Third Avenue–149th Street. Weekday service operates between Dyre Avenue in Eastchester, Bronx, and Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College in Flatbush, Brooklyn, making local stops in the Bronx and express stops in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Its route emblem, or 'bullet', is colored forest green since it uses the IRT Lexington Avenue Line in Manhattan. The 5 Lexington Avenue Express is a rapid transit service in the A Division of the New York City Subway.

New york city subway lines