Rules of The Subway-NYC
Jun 12th, 2012 | 08:08 AM
#1
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Joined: May 2007
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Rules of The Subway-NYC
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 a 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.
Even though a Metrocard is used for entry, no NY’er calls the subway the Metro, Tube, or Underground. It is either called the subway or the train.
Do not use or ask for a subway line using the colors on the map. They will have no idea what your talking about. NY’ers either use the letter or the number. Say, “Can you tell where to get the “R” train or the “E” train. There are few exceptions. NY’ers refer to the 4 or 5 as the Lex (Lexington Avenue) Express and the 6 as the Lex Local. And the train from Grand Central to Times Square is called the Shuttle.
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 wrong 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 few 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.
Always crowd the person in front of you at the turnstile. Not every turnstile works and pirouettes can occur.
The MetroCard turnstile swipe is an art form. Sometimes the first swipe will not work. And do not be surprised that after multiple swipes, if you are charged for two trips.
You can get a MetroCard at almost all subway entrances, especially at the larger stations. Some entrances just have turnstiles. You cannot get one on a bus, even though you need one or exact fare. Currently the fare is $2.25, no matter the distance and you can transfer to one bus up to two hours from entering the subway.
Of course, all Metrocards have restrictions since they issued by a bureaucracy.
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.
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 station 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 not many will 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 jab 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 legs 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 their helmet sometimes.
5.Don’t shower and wear muscle shirts.
6.The subway is not your living room, move your butt to the wall if you want to speak on the phone.
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.
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 a 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.
Even though a Metrocard is used for entry, no NY’er calls the subway the Metro, Tube, or Underground. It is either called the subway or the train.
Do not use or ask for a subway line using the colors on the map. They will have no idea what your talking about. NY’ers either use the letter or the number. Say, “Can you tell where to get the “R” train or the “E” train. There are few exceptions. NY’ers refer to the 4 or 5 as the Lex (Lexington Avenue) Express and the 6 as the Lex Local. And the train from Grand Central to Times Square is called the Shuttle.
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 wrong 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 few 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.
Always crowd the person in front of you at the turnstile. Not every turnstile works and pirouettes can occur.
The MetroCard turnstile swipe is an art form. Sometimes the first swipe will not work. And do not be surprised that after multiple swipes, if you are charged for two trips.
You can get a MetroCard at almost all subway entrances, especially at the larger stations. Some entrances just have turnstiles. You cannot get one on a bus, even though you need one or exact fare. Currently the fare is $2.25, no matter the distance and you can transfer to one bus up to two hours from entering the subway.
Of course, all Metrocards have restrictions since they issued by a bureaucracy.
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.
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 station 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 not many will 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 jab 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 legs 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 their helmet sometimes.
5.Don’t shower and wear muscle shirts.
6.The subway is not your living room, move your butt to the wall if you want to speak on the phone.
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.
Jun 12th, 2012 | 08:23 AM
#2
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
Yes!
Rush Hour Rules - for new New Yorkers and others
(with apologies Adu that I don't have your terrific writing style; feel free to edit!)
* If there are so many people in the car that your knees are being bumped while sitting, get off that folding seat at the end of the car and stand with the rest of us (this is true for the new trains only)
* You are not in the country on a stroll: take that backpack/yoga bag/purse the size of luggage off your shoulder and place it between your feet or hold below your hips. Now there's more room for others to stand upright without getting their face bashed in.
* If you must bring your bicycle or child on the train during rush hour, please don't try to jam yourself into a packed car. There will always be another train where you'll have a better opportunity.
For the first two, you might have to pick your head up from that Angry Birds game you're playing on your iPhone to see the world around you!
And for tourists only (the rest of us learned this by experience a long time ago): If a car is virtually empty and the adjacent ones are packed, DO NOT head for the empty car. Or rather, do so at risk to your own health - or at least your senses!
At all times, if you see someone who could use that seat more than you, give it up! Men are worse offenders of this than women; women intuitively know that a pregnant or toddler-carting woman could use that seat, as could the elderly lady shuffling into the car...
Rush Hour Rules - for new New Yorkers and others
(with apologies Adu that I don't have your terrific writing style; feel free to edit!)
* If there are so many people in the car that your knees are being bumped while sitting, get off that folding seat at the end of the car and stand with the rest of us (this is true for the new trains only)
* You are not in the country on a stroll: take that backpack/yoga bag/purse the size of luggage off your shoulder and place it between your feet or hold below your hips. Now there's more room for others to stand upright without getting their face bashed in.
* If you must bring your bicycle or child on the train during rush hour, please don't try to jam yourself into a packed car. There will always be another train where you'll have a better opportunity.
For the first two, you might have to pick your head up from that Angry Birds game you're playing on your iPhone to see the world around you!
And for tourists only (the rest of us learned this by experience a long time ago): If a car is virtually empty and the adjacent ones are packed, DO NOT head for the empty car. Or rather, do so at risk to your own health - or at least your senses!
At all times, if you see someone who could use that seat more than you, give it up! Men are worse offenders of this than women; women intuitively know that a pregnant or toddler-carting woman could use that seat, as could the elderly lady shuffling into the car...
Jun 12th, 2012 | 08:26 AM
#3
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,130
Likes: 0
Having ridden the subway countless times during our trip a couple of weeks ago, I can attest to the accuracy and thoroughness of this list. Thank you! One tidbit we learned the hard way...if you swipe your unlimited ride card and then figure out you are on an uptown platform but need to leave and go across the street to a downtown platform, your card will not work again for 18 minutes.
Jun 12th, 2012 | 08:34 AM
#5
Original Poster
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
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Extremely accurate ggreen.
An empty car during the summer means no A/C.
You are not going through menopause, many subway stations are unbearably hot and humid during the summer.
If you visit the boroughs and are waiting at an outside station, the colder the temperature the later the train.
An empty car during the summer means no A/C.
You are not going through menopause, many subway stations are unbearably hot and humid during the summer.
If you visit the boroughs and are waiting at an outside station, the colder the temperature the later the train.
Jun 12th, 2012 | 09:52 AM
#6
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,886
Likes: 0
Just want to reinforce the rule of not staring at anyone.
This is dead serious. It can be taken as an invitation of varous types (romantic encounter, challenge to take it outsdie, or discussion of "who ya starin at" - and erceived as being racist or weird).
Even if you see a large burly man dressed as a ballerina - do NOT stare. Read you book or newspaper, check out the ads, or just stare at the floor (if there is any unoccupied).
The subway is a marvel - cheap, fast and safe (as safe as anyplace in a city of 9 million divergant personalities.) Use it properly and it is your friend.
This is dead serious. It can be taken as an invitation of varous types (romantic encounter, challenge to take it outsdie, or discussion of "who ya starin at" - and erceived as being racist or weird).
Even if you see a large burly man dressed as a ballerina - do NOT stare. Read you book or newspaper, check out the ads, or just stare at the floor (if there is any unoccupied).
The subway is a marvel - cheap, fast and safe (as safe as anyplace in a city of 9 million divergant personalities.) Use it properly and it is your friend.
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Jun 12th, 2012 | 10:27 AM
#9
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
...if you swipe your unlimited ride card and then figure out you are on an uptown platform but want to go downtown, DON'T exit the station. Just take the uptown train to a station where you can reverse your trip without exiting the system (such as an express stop). If you do exit the system AND there's a token booth operator on the platform where you want to re-enter, try your luck by putting yourself at their mercy - they might take pity on you and let you back in. Of course, chances are there won't be a token booth on the side you need, just a gritty outline where it used to be before the MTA eliminated it...
An empty car during the summer means no A/C.
Or worse-!
The only time you can stare is if there are entertainers on your train. And by this I mean one or more people clearly performing in hopes of receiving cash: teens dancing, Peruvians strumming, an old man with an accordion... BUT if you watch openly, be prepared to donate!
An empty car during the summer means no A/C.
Or worse-!
The only time you can stare is if there are entertainers on your train. And by this I mean one or more people clearly performing in hopes of receiving cash: teens dancing, Peruvians strumming, an old man with an accordion... BUT if you watch openly, be prepared to donate!
Jun 12th, 2012 | 02:29 PM
#10
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
The subway is not your living room.
It is also not your bathroom. Nor will you find one to use in the station or on the subway.
Take care of bodily functions at home, work, Starbucks, etc before you leave for the train.
You will sense when others have not been able to do so.
It is also not your bathroom. Nor will you find one to use in the station or on the subway.
Take care of bodily functions at home, work, Starbucks, etc before you leave for the train.
You will sense when others have not been able to do so.
Jun 12th, 2012 | 06:08 PM
#12
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,886
Likes: 0
If you can find one. And if you don't ming sitting in traffic while the meter tick, tick, ticks away. I managed to get one home tonight despite the rain (was hauling a whole bunch of stuff with me - computer, files and things I had bought). And something was wrong on fifth Ave and we had to go aruond - and the fare was $22 instead of the $16 it usually is. I don;t mind whne the company pays - but on mine dime I don;t want to pay $40 a day to go to/from work.
The subway is an integral part of the City - it's color, neighborhoods and many cultures - as well as the best way to get around.
The subway is an integral part of the City - it's color, neighborhoods and many cultures - as well as the best way to get around.
Jun 13th, 2012 | 05:40 AM
#15
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,552
Likes: 0
hamlet, ROFLOL!
...In all my years riding the subways every day, I've been lucky to only experience a very few really awful situations, less than I could count on one hand. (Knock wood!!) One occurred just a few weeks ago, where a clearly mentally unstable gentleman was very much using the subway car as his boudoir...
Exit the car as quickly as possible - preferably waiting until the next stop, but using the doors between cars if you must - and notify the conductor in the middle of the train about the problem.
...In all my years riding the subways every day, I've been lucky to only experience a very few really awful situations, less than I could count on one hand. (Knock wood!!) One occurred just a few weeks ago, where a clearly mentally unstable gentleman was very much using the subway car as his boudoir...
Exit the car as quickly as possible - preferably waiting until the next stop, but using the doors between cars if you must - and notify the conductor in the middle of the train about the problem.
Jun 13th, 2012 | 06:18 AM
#17
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,130
Likes: 0
We loved taking the subway on our recent trip--what a unique New York experience...definitely a "we're not in Kansas anymore" moment! And it's always such a cross-section of people! Tourists, nannies with their charges, business people, parents and grandparents with kids, students, trendy hipsters, and while we were there--sailors!...every time we got on it was a surprise.
Jun 13th, 2012 | 06:20 AM
#18
Original Poster
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
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I used to take the subway to high school, college, and of course work. I once calcuated that I have taken over 15,000 separate trips on the subway.
And I would add to Hamlet and Ggreen, the subway is not your bedroom either. If you can't afford a room, the subway should not be the next cheapest alternative. This goes for couples and people by themselves.
And I would add to Hamlet and Ggreen, the subway is not your bedroom either. If you can't afford a room, the subway should not be the next cheapest alternative. This goes for couples and people by themselves.
Jun 13th, 2012 | 06:45 AM
#19
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,552
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musicfan, maybe you saw this Arts for Transit piece when you were riding the rails (click on it to zoom):
Sophie Blackall, 2011 | MTA Arts for Transit Art Card Posters
http://mta.info/mta/aft/posters/artc...?itemnum=32740
I find all of the panels inside the subway cars to be a good distraction, as they all are quite intricate and fun to examine. But this one is my favorite - IMO it's so accurate!
Sophie Blackall, 2011 | MTA Arts for Transit Art Card Posters
http://mta.info/mta/aft/posters/artc...?itemnum=32740
I find all of the panels inside the subway cars to be a good distraction, as they all are quite intricate and fun to examine. But this one is my favorite - IMO it's so accurate!
Jun 13th, 2012 | 07:04 AM
#20
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,130
Likes: 0
ggreen--yes, we DID see that one! I recall pointing it out to DD--very cute.
I will add that, despite our decidedly amateur status as subway riders, we violated few to none of Adu's rules. We goofed up on the uptown vs. downtown platforms (and thanks to you for the suggestion--we would never have thought to do that) once and also got confused once with the holiday and construction changes to the schedule and had to switch trains, but other than that, we felt we did a good job of navigating and being unobtrusive and cooperative riders.
I will add that, despite our decidedly amateur status as subway riders, we violated few to none of Adu's rules. We goofed up on the uptown vs. downtown platforms (and thanks to you for the suggestion--we would never have thought to do that) once and also got confused once with the holiday and construction changes to the schedule and had to switch trains, but other than that, we felt we did a good job of navigating and being unobtrusive and cooperative riders.
