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And, although it's still early, transit officials say the program has already improved efficiency. Trains are now leaving Grand Central station about 10 seconds sooner than previously. They now sit in the station about 50 or 55 seconds, and the goal is to cut the time down to 45 seconds.

The change means it takes less time for people to get from Grand Central to Wall Street, the most common route, Shrage said.

In the past, between 21 and 24 trains passed through Grand Central station every hour during peak times, well short of the 27 scheduled. Since the program began, one or two extra trains -- each carrying about 1,200 people -- are passing through the station.

And while the improvement may only effect a small percentage of the 3.5 million people who ride the subways every day, it's still something, said Bob Previdi, a rapid transit superintendent and part of Barta's team.

But the transformation is more visible on the platform than in the statistics. On the other side of the platform, just 20 feet away from the now-courteous patrons of the express line, are those who wait for the local No. 6 train. And, lacking the guidance of the friendly platform conductors and the restrictions of the colorful boxes, the anxious folks continue to parry, thrust and bolt their way onto the first train in sight.

Previdi speaks about success

Previdi said the key to the program is educating the passengers. Before starting the program, the M.T.A. handed out flyers describing the plans. The flyers are still available in Grand Central, near two television sets that blast an educational video that also touts the program.

In addition, every time passengers are boarding a train, a conductor announces over the public address system when the next train is coming.

"If a customer can't get on a train because it's too crowded, that's not going to stop a New Yorker -- they want to get where they're going," Previdi said. "But if you let a New Yorker know there's another train coming in two minutes, he steps back."

Eventually, transit officials hope New Yorkers will absorb the new etiquette to such a degree that the M.T.A. can remove the platform conductors and people will continue being courteous.