Subway Safety
 

My niece is interesting in attending Fordham University in the Bronx. We are going to NYC in August by train and will be coming in to Penn Station. My question is how safe is it to travel to Fordham by subway during the day? THANKS.

My son has never had a problem taking the subway to or from Fordham during the day.

But at night, if he is going into the city (or returning from the city to Fordham), he takes Metro North. The Metro North stop is just outside Fordham's gate.

Subway is a safe way to travel in NYC.

Subway stations look strange at first, but your niece will soon get used to them.

One must use ordinary caution. For instance, don't go unaccompanied into an empty subway station in the middle of the night, and don't stand on the edge of the platform leaning over the tracks trying to see if a train is coming.

Also, don't stare at other riders unless you are trying to pick them up or trying to pick a fight.

If somebody rubs up against your niece, they are likely doing so on purpose. She should move in a way to make it clear she does not want to cuddle with a stranger on a train.

Just a couple of other things...

Do you have a campus appointment to visit? If so, Fordham does a pretty good job at addressing these concerns. Don't be shy about asking questions!

Also, they have their own internal transportation system called the Ram Van. Now mind you, these are student driven vans, but they offer an alternative to students if they do not wish to train/subway it. This van also goes to and from the Lincoln Center campus -- my son has taken it a couple of times. They also have the Ram Van waiting outside the Fordham subway station (I believe this is the #4) late at night. I don't know exactly what time, but they shuttle kids to and from the subway and campus beginning somewhere around 12/1 in the morning. My son doesn't use this (well at that I am aware of, lol). We spring for the Metro North expense.

Thank you for responding!

I would also advise you to not get on an empty car, if possible. Try to identify either the conductor car or a car with other (non scary-looking) people.

NYC Subway platforms have areas marked as late night waiting area, which is usually in the middle and can be observed from the station attendant. That's where one should wait for a train at late night.

Taking the subway to the Bronx during the day is not a problem - just use normal subway precautions, be aware of your surroundings, don't stand by the edge of the platform, don't get into an empty car (the conductors are always in the first car and in one of the middle cars), etc.

The Ram Van is normally limited to Fordham students/faculty/staff, but if the Admissions Office knows you are coming, they should be able to arrange for you to use it, if you want to. It runs between the Lincoln Center campus and the Rose Hill campus. THe university runs on a limited schedule during the summer, so I don't know how frequently it will be running in August. Good luck to her.

Just to clarify...

Lilbabs, I wasn't suggesting that you would be able to take the Ram Van on your visit from Penn Station to the campus. I just wanted you to know what the transportation options would be for your niece, as a student, if she were interested in attending Fordham.

The others have posted very good information regarding subway safety. Like I said, ask questions on your campus tour.

Fordham has liberal campus "Summer Visit Days" throughout the months of July and August. Here is the link...

http://tinyurl.com/n9sys

Good luck!

Check out my recent thread, the bits about subway safety.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34823314

Everyone was so very right. I found the subway to be fine in the daytime and at night.

I live in NYC and have never had a problem with the subway except when some disaster strikes and they close it but that is very, very rare. Otherwise, just be careful as someone else said to not stand too close to the edge b/c there are times that ppl get pushed (again, VERY rare) or accidentally fall in. I'm not trying to scare anyone b/c I am guilty of doing this too, but a lot of times ppl are leaning over to see if a train is coming and that can get dangerous. Otherwise it's quick, easy, and the BEST way to get around. IMHO