Well, while no New Yorkers use the color, I think some old-timers may still use the names IRT, IND and BMT to refer to the lines.

or those of us raised by old-timers. My Mom wouldn't know where the 4 or 5 went, but if you ask her about stops on the Lex (the IRT-Lexington Ave. line, aka the 4/5/6), she can reel them off as though she still lived in Manhattan and rode it every day. I'm 37, but even I know the differences between the IRT, the IND and the BMT - some of the older stations still have these signs scattered around (usually in tiles).

The NYC subway is a lot safer than it used to be. There are plenty of uniformed and non-uniformed police around, partly due to heightened fear of terrorism. Many New Yorkers don't have cars and rely on the subway as their primary means of transportatation. It's a lot safer than you would think.

As a frequent subway rider (to/from work), I've seen my share of rats. They're always on the tracks, not on the platform (luckily).

The change at Jamaica for the Air Train was a little icky last time I tried it, but it felt safe.

I've lived in Manhattan for 40 years.

The subway is safe at that time of night.

I have never seen a bug or a rat or any kind of vermin on a subway train. There is seldom any begging on the subway trains these days as it is illegal, and as the doors between cars are locked.

As to the occasional presence of a homeless person on a subway train, that person is not going to bother you, and I imagine your response would be what most people's response is, which is some degree of compassion for someone who has nowhere to live.

Just want to add this: This morning on ABC news the commentator was talking about subway disruptions due to the snow. She mentioned the "red and green lines" having some problems.

She must be from out of town.

You might be right! I was very surprised to hear her refer to the colors. She said something like, the "red and green lines, that some of you know as the 1,2,3,4,5,6"

I think often people refer to the colors to mean a general direction- i.e. along 6th Avenue, Lexington, 8th Avenue, etc.

This is really only helpful to get one's bearings (i.e. east side or west sie) and not helpful at all outside of Manhattan. There is an exception to every rule, of coruse. But, it can be helpful to know the color if looking at a map, to draw your eye to the right spot!

All I can say is, if you've never seen a rat or mouse in a subway station, you must not have ridden the F line! (Or the A/C, or the N/R...) UGH!!! And the panhandlers don't seem to be put off much by either the illegality of their profession nor the inability to pass between cars, which has always been the case on the F line and has not stopped them yet...

Unfortunately I no longer ride the F since the route was changed and my stop taken away and replaced by the V for some unfathomable reason. I try to aveert my eyes from the tracks at all times!