NYC public transit do's and don't-do's?

Question

I have lived in fairly small mid-west cities my whole life. I will soon be going to new york city for the first time and really don't know how the whole bus and subway thing works. I can find rules, routes and schedules online. I need some real life suggetions on what to do and what is a really bad idea to do when traveling around.

Alot of people I talk to here in kansas seem to think everyone that gets on a subway is instantly raped, killed and/or mugged. I assume, due to it's continued use, this is not the case.

Answer 1

Excellent advice from Lew. (I think if someone offered me his seat, I would really get worried that I must really look sick)

The subways are not dangerous - I ride them by myself at 2am (the trains are crowded then, by the way - they don't run that frequently). You want dangerous - ride a New York cab - you take your life in your hands. Don't give any money to "beggers" - they are almost all scam artists - they make up stories, fake disabilities, and try to intimidate you if they think they can. Just ignore them. Don't show anyone where you keep your money. Keep your money safe from pickpockets. Don't keep your wallet in your back pocket - use a zipped or buttoned inside pocket in your jacket. These people are really good at what they do - the man with his arm in a cast sitting next to you on the train - the cast might be a fake and he might use his arm to reach around behind you and steal your money. The woman that falls into you - she might have a partner ready to catch you and steal your money.

Don't wear good jewelry and don't wear expensive shoes - thieves size you up by your watch and your shoes. Buy a $5 watch from a street peddler and wear it for the rest of your visit here - it will keep time as well as a good watch (for the weeks you are here, anyway).

I like to take buses for short rides - you can get a subway map and a bus map from the clerk in the subway station. The bus schedule (not strictly accurate because of the traffic) is posted on the pole at the bus stop (most buses run at least every ten minutes except late at night). The buses aren't as fast as the trains are, but you'll get to see more of the City and you don't have to climb stairs - also you can ask the bus driver to tell you where to get off, etc. Once you're on the train, you are at the mercy of other passengers to help you, and you are liable to get the wrong information. Also, if you get on a crowded train where people are standing, and you see one seat and nobody is trying to sit in it, there is probably a good reason - there may be something disgusting on the seat. Bring something to read - there are free newspapers in green, orange and red boxes all over the city - even if you're not interested, reading something helps you avoid eye contact with people. On the train, know the name of the stop immediately before the one where you have to get off - so, you are prepared - and can just stand up and leave - the doors close quickly.

Understand the MetroCard system - you can get two rides for the $2 fare - either two buses or a train and a bus - if you get the second ride within two hours of when you boarded the first ride. It is easy to take the train somewhere and then go home on the bus, or take the Eighth Avenue bus uptown, do your errand, and return on the downtown Broadway bus. Whether you buy a card with unlimited rides ($24 for a week or $7 for a day) or buy a card with a set number of rides (you get one free ride for every $10 you spend on a card - you get $12 worth of rides on a $10 card and $24 worth of rides for a $20 card. Two people can't use the same unlimited card, but two people can use the same $10 card - you just dip the card twice at the turnstile or on the bus - the transfer to the next bus is already on the card. If you don't use the MetroCard, you can't transfer from a bus to a train or a train to a bus. If you pay exact change (no bills, just change) on the bus, ask the driver for a paper transfer. This is good for another bus, but not the train.

The entertainment in the subway stations is legal - they have passed tests and have permits (some of them are really talented) - they earn their living from donations (I always give money to the bagpipers, the man that dances the tango with the rag doll and the groups that play Peruvian mountain music). The people strolling through the train singing and playing musical instruments are not doing this legally, and I never give them anything (besides, I will never take my money out on the train - not even to buy the cheap batteries from the peddlers). Last week I told an obnoxious accordionist that if he didn't get that awful sound away from me, a proctologist would have to remove his accordion - unfortunately, the creep was Russian and didn't understand - he did understand enough to move.

Just use common sense and you'll be fine. The public transportation system is great here. Have a great trip.

Answer 2

The best thing to do is to be aware of how to get somewhere ahead of time, and to know alternate routes. While (especially in Manhattan) there are Subway lines that may take you somewhere directly, often there is another line that stops an avenue or two away, in case you are not able to transfer to the primary line easily.

Also to consider, you need to be savvy about routes in general as there often are changes in service (especially on weekends) due to a lot of construction.

Use an Unlimited Ride Metrocard (which are $24 for a week and $76 for a month), they provide the best value. While subways are generally safe, you'd want to be aware of your surroundings and people around all the time, especially late at night.

And most of all (even though you may not notice too many New Yorkers acting this way), try to be polite and courteous, offer a lady or older person a seat :-)

Answer 3

Make sure you have a subway map with you at all times. You can get them from the toll booth clerk.
If you get lost, try to ask someone that looks smart. Ive seen new yorkers on the subway give wrong information.
Try not to look lke a tourist by wearing a fanny pack. I can spot tourists in a heart beat and so pickpockets. Just try not to stand out and have a good time!!

Ohh and try not to travel during rush hour. You WILL get squished onto a train and it's not pleasant. Happens every day, so try to travel when it's not rush hour and you'll be ok.

Answer 4

wow there are a lot of good answers here. I just wanted to warn you - do not touch ANYTHING. i mean ANYTHING. I don't live in NYC (I live in the midwest like you) but i have been there many many times and I have a best friend who is in the NYPD there... she always warns us about touching the railings or the walls etc. Also on the subways make sure you have your feet groudned because if you arent used to it.. when it takes off you will fall over.. haha. And like everyone else said, beware of the pickpocketers.. they can look so innocent but you know.. they arent. I never carried more than 2 credit cards with me... I put cash in the zippered pocket of my purse, not in my wallet.. I carried smaller bills in my pocket so I had those for easy access so I didnt have to dig through my purse for money. I also bought a Metro card that I was able to use for the majority of the time I was there, instead of buying one all the time. Just be smart, be aware.. and remember not everyone that looks innocent is!! If you have any questions.. ask the men and women in blue.. they are always around and willing to help you in anything you may need. I love those guys!

Answer 5

On using the Subways --
The key to their use is planning your trip in advance. You can buy subway maps & every station & train car has multiple map boards. You can even print them out from the NYtransit web site. You start by looking for the stop closest to your destination. The maps show which trains stop there. (trains have either numbers or letters) (As do station entrances) Then look at the stop closest to your starting point. If the same train stops at both, congratulations. Then you need to know whether your destination lies North ("uptown) or South ("downtown"). All Manhattan trains run "uptown" or "downtown & keep their same letter designation whether up or down. (trains running outside Manhattan may have a destination like "Coney island" on the car) If the same train does not stop at the beginning & ending station, you'll need to look for a station where both lines intersect so you can transfer. (Transfers cost nothing. Once in the system you can ride all day) You may find yourself traveling out of your way to find a crossover. Before making your final pick of stations, read the key to the symbols at the station. All trains on the same line do not stop at all stations at all hours. NYC has "express" lines at some stations that have their own platforms & skip some intermediate stations. Some trains skip some stops outside of rush hour.

Once inside the station, signs & arrows will direct you to the proper line & then to the uptown or downtown platform.

All trips are paid for by using "Metro-cards," which you can by at a vending machine inside the station. They use a touch screen menue & you can feed them cash or a credit or debit card. You can buy a single trip, multi-trip, all day pass or weekly or monthly pass, by just tapping the menu selection on the screen. The same card is used for buses & trains.

Answer 6

Do wear deoderant...it gets tight down there sometimes.
Do carry a taser
Do Not make eye contact with the overly dressed black gang members with scars on their face.
Do not touch anything! seriously, no joking. Dont touch the railings, dont touch the bathroom sinks, walls, etc. Dont touch ANYTHING. People pee there and other stuff.
Do ask questions...but askt he right people.
Do not say New Jersey in any sentence.

But seriously its a great city...i live here. If you know ur way around u'll be fine. Have fun! :)

Answer 7

All of the answers have good accurate advice, i just gotta put my two cents in. don't keep all your money in one spot keep car fare, coffee money easily accessible. you really don't need to keep all your credit cards on you either for walking around just a debit card will do, (unless you're going shoppping) and be aware of who's around you at the atm. Watch out for our friendly doormen at the bank. by the way it's getting harder to tell who the crazies are, are they talking to themselves or are they on a cell phone

Answer 8

do run to get a seat.
dont push or some new yorker is gonna eventually curse you out and eat you alive.