Rules of the Subway
 

Rules of the Subway

The NYC subway system is an amalgam of lines that were once privately owned and were purchased by the government to unite them. This explains why there is duplication in many areas and no trains in other areas. The line that King Kong destroyed is now underground.

With few exceptions the subways in Manhattan run north/south. Almost all, except those that go to the Bronx, will eventually make a turn into Brooklyn or Queens. The two Manhattan trains that only run east/west are the shuttle from Times Square to Grand Central and the L train that runs along 14th street.

There are green and red globes at the entrance to many stations. Green supposedly means open all the time and red means sometimes. Sometimes vary form station to station. Some have mechanical card readers without token booths others are just closed. But red is usually open during week day business hours. Got that.

Transfers occur at many stations. Some transfers are across the platform, others on another level, while others are an interminable walk through corridors which vary from extremely crowded to ill light and very lonely. The main transfers are usually madhouses at all times.

The subway runs all day, all night every day including Christmas, Yom Kippur, and Ramadan. If you are lucky there will be more trains during rush hour.

Do not expect to understand any announcement through the PA system. Do not expect an explanation regarding delays. And if they do make an announcement, do not necessarily believe them.

Many newer trains have peppy computer voices announcing the stations. Very un-NY. There are usually correct. On the newer trains there is also an electronic linear map showing the line and stops. That is usually right. There are, however, large lit arrows that show the general direction and they are often pointing in the opposite direction.

If you miss your stop, you will not die, even if you wind in Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx. Well maybe the Bronx. Just get off at the next stop but there is the rub. Not every stop has a corridor which connects trains in both directions so you may have to exit, go upstairs, cross the street, descend again and pay another fare. Although there are major exceptions, this is often true on the local lines where are there are no transfers.

There are basically two types of trains, expresses and locals. Expresses stop at designated stops while locals stop at every station. There are times when the local is actually faster. When there is a problem, locals can run on the express tracks and vice versa. Sometimes during extenuating circumstances stations will be skipped. If you are lucky an announcement will be made. (See above rule regarding PA announcements.) And during those times you might be standing on a platform watching a train pass you by. If a train blows its whistle as it enters the station, it often means it ain’t stopping.

Many students take the subway to school. Many travel as hordes when school lets out. 99.9% of the kids are just being kids. Do not be afraid. As I get older, I realize how frightening we were as kids to adults.

A serious note: Unfortunately, the subway system is not designed for the disabled. All stations have stairs and the few that have escalators or elevators are unreliable.


MetroCards
Never ask how to use the machines that dispense MetroCards beforehand. Always stand in front of the machine as long as possible so a line can grow behind you. Hint to tourists: If the person has not moved their hands in fifteen minutes, get on another line.

Never think that the person at the token booth will help. Never believe the posting behind them, “There are no delays at this time” and “Have a nice day.”

Always crowd the person in front of you at the turnstile. Not every turnstile works and pirouettes can occur.

The turnstile swipe is an art form. Sometimes the first swipe will not work. (Although them seem to be working better later.) And do not be surprised that after multiple swipes, if you are charged for two trips.

There is a lag time of 18 minutes on an unlimited card between uses for consecutive train uses.

Getting Directions
New Yorkers who barely know their name know the subway lines in Manhattan but few know the subway in the boroughs, other than the one where they live. Always ask for directions, NY’ers are always proud to display their subway knowledge. Conversely, NY’ers only know the bus lines they use and have no clue where the other buses go.

The MTA is installing directional plaques in the ground just outside of some stations.

Above each platform are signs that identify the trains which will stop at the station and the general direction. Do not be alarmed that the signs say, Brooklyn Queens, or the Bronx, it is the general direction. Downtown means south and uptown means, well you get the drift.

There are no subway maps above ground. So you will have to descend to into a stop to read one.

Riding the Rails

Entering the train can be a bit of free for all. The victory goes to the swift. If you dawdle people will push in front and may say things like “Excuse me Sir/Madam, but may I get ahead of you.” At rush hours, people will push from behind and you can be carried with the tide. If you have children, hold their hands and make plans if you get split up. I do this with adults, who so not know the train if someone should miss their stop. (Not hold their hand but make alternate plans.)

Do not stare at people. This is not a joke. It can be interpreted as impolite or worse.

Do not emulate NY’ers who:
1. Lean on the pole so no one else can hold on. It has been known to hold the pole in a certain way so that the knuckles of one’s hand in the back of the slob.
2. Transport their refrigerator during rush hours. People carry all sorts of objects all the time.
3. Read the New York Times spread open, with their splayed open taking up two seats. (This is a male specialty.)
4. Stand with your bike and take up the room of six people. I will never understand, if you have a bike, why you are taking the train. I would however, like to borrow your helmet sometimes.
5. Don’t shower and wear muscle shirts.


You can do just about anything in NYC but do not block a subway car door. When the train stops, the doors open, and you are blocking them there are many choices: make yourself small, get off the train so there is room and then get back on, move to the center, or be prepared to be bounced and cursed. It is prime spot to stand, own it with pride.

Do not say to your fellow passenger, this is like being in a sardine can. We have probably heard that before.

There will be people selling candy, others God. It is your choice to engage them in conversation.

Getting off

It as important to know the stop before as it is to know the stop you need. The stop before warn all your friends and relatives. Know which side the doors will open. Most doors on an express open on the right. On the local trains, the doors usually open on the right on local stops and on the left on express stops. This is a rule of thumb.

Another rule of thumb regards, people not moving out of the way. Say, “excuse me,” loudly. If they do not move after the second “Excuse me” you have my permission to push your way through the crowd.

You, NYers say "excuse me" TWICE before pushing? Impressive! You must be proud! Had this pushed you up on the list of safest cities?

Uncoordinated Conductors

If trying to transfer across the subway platform from an arriving train to another train in the station already dispensing passengers, be prepared that the conductor may((A)) or may not>:) hold the doors open a few seconds ((o))longer to efficiently allow the transfer of passengers between trains.#o

Good info, I always wondered about the red and green globes.

The last time I was there I finally figured out how to tell an express from local train. Now I've forgotten.

Entering and leaving cars keep your elbows out, knees pumping high.

Other rules of thumb:

If you see a person slouching into both of the two sideways seats at the front of the car, you may be tempted to ask them to move so you can enjoy sitting down for your long voyage.

Do not. Nine times out of ten, your nose will not enjoy the voyage. Those two seats seem to have an invisible sign saying "Unwashed Persons Only"

If you are lucky enough to have a seat right next to the door, don't be surprised if people seem to be staring at your hair, or even if they seem to be leaning closer to look at your hair. They aren't. You are sitting in front of the only submay map, and the lower Manhattan part is behind your head.

Do you need to review the subway route, but don't want to pull out a map and look like a lost tourist? Many bookstoores sell credit card sizedsubway maps. Tape it to the back of your I-Pod or the cover of your paperback book. (PS...this only works if you have your reading glasses on...)

Or, just whip out your map and study away. You may find that many New Yorkers are actually quite friendly and will try to help you.

"Never think that the person at the token booth will help"

I had trouble buying a Metro Card the other day. First the machine wouldn't take cash. Then it asked for a zip code (by definition, something the overwhelming majority of the world doesn't have) when I paid with a card. The man in the booth was politeness and helpfulness personified. I got my card.

And, getting on the subway with copious luggage on the way to airport, fellow-travellers also went out of their way to be helpful. Not to mention tolerant of tumbling luggage.

Now: why are there no maps on platforms? Why are the maps inside the carriages illegible and behind other passengers? Why are station lists so rare inside carriages? Why is information at bus stops so sketchy, poorly-designed and pre-technology? And what's with this no escalator thing? Can't you afford modern technology, or is it a conspiracy to keep you fit (or kill off the couch potatoes)?

You missed the most important one:

Have a plan arranged beforehand in case you get seperated (a common plan is meet on the platform back at the station where you were still together).

There are large subways systems maps on each platform, unfortunately they are located at different spots in different stations.

Beleive it or not the signs are better than have been but still light years behind London and Paris.


There was a mention of creating a plan in the first paragraph under Riding The Rails.

Really do have a plan in case you are separated and keep your children in front of you. Once when I was little my hair got caught on the button of a man's suit and my mother had already gotten off the train. Luckily he looked down and got off the train with me so we didn't get separated.

flanneruk,usually if you use your card and it asks for a zip code is supposidly an extra "check" to enure the card user is actually the owner of the card. However, that is totally useless when not every one has a zip code. My credit card system in my store asks for a zip code for each transaction charged - if the zip doesn't match the billing address of the card the charge will be declined. Now, I didn't make this policy up so don't anyone start in with "if someone steals your wallet they will also have something with you zip code on it so they can still use your card". I realize that

According to the MTA map, the 2,3,4,5 and D trains all go from the Bronx to Brooklyn.

As for the various reasons that the subways don't have escalators/ elevators and brightly lit maps everywhere.

The reason is that the US has a federal system of government - which means that the subway system is supported entirely by the people who ride on it - mostly NYC metro area residents of fairly limited income. (The federal government has nothing to do with it - and if given the choice would shut it down - so everyone would have to buy a gas-guzzling car to get to work.) (The same reason the federal gov't supports roads/auto companies and airliens but doens;t want to pay a penny for longer-distance train service.)

The people that ride all the time know where things are, don't need the maps and are used to running up and downstairs. When given the choice between improving the system and raising the fare voters go for lower fares every time. (And keep in mind that subway riders even partially subsidize rail travel costs to the outer suburbs - largely inhabited by higher income commuters.)

Not a great system for tourists - but then tourists don't vote.

According to the MTA map, the 2,3,4,5 and D trains all go from the Bronx to Brooklyn.

I am not sure what the point is.

Just correcting this statement:

<i>Almost all, except those that go to the Bronx</i>

The alternative reading would be The Bronx is north of Manhattan and the trains just continue to head in that direction while the trains for Brooklyn and Queens eventually turn.

I noticed on the NY subways that they don't have maps inside them to check out how far you have to go. That seems odd to me.

I was surprised at how talkative people can be on the subway. I've gotten into conversations the last few times I rode the subway - I just started riding them again after about a decade of only taking cabs. The subways are a lot cheaper and faster depending on your route.

And I was happy to be asked questions b/c it indicated that I must have looked like I knew where I was going.

Ummm - maybe karens needs to look around a bit more - there are subway maps inside most cars and all stations have maps either by the token booths or on the platforms. of course, sometimes you can't read the maps because of graffiti . . . but it's there . .

On the section about missing a stop. I'd ride the train until the next &quot;major&quot; stop (like those with connections to other lines) which are certain to have transfer passageway back to the other platform. Save the trouble and one fare to get out to the street and re-enter.

I have never had problems, but if riding late night, I do wait in the &quot;Off-Hours Waiting Area&quot; this is visible from the station ticket booth attendant.

mp - maybe it was just the line I was riding, but there were no subways maps inside the cars. I do know what they look like and where they usually are...unless they were posted under the seats or something...