Some basic information first

MTA NYC transit is the mass transit agency that runs 24-hour-a-day bus and subway service throughout the entire city of New York and its outer boroughs, with ridership reaching an astounding seven million persons every day…that translates to more than 2 billion people using NYC Transit’s buses and trains to get to work, play, visit restaurants, you name it, every year! The NYC subway is the country’s largest and most complex, running to a total of 468 stations along about 660 miles of track.

The Routing System

While many other transit systems around the world and around the country use colors for signifying their routes, the NYC subway has so many that it uses numbers and letters as well as colors. Savvy New Yorkers however know that going by the numbers and letters gets you around better and easier than just using the colors. Numbered routes for the subway are the 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, and 9, lettered routes are the A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, M, N, Q, R, S, V, W, and Z. What this means is that instead of relying on or asking someone about the “Red line”, it’s best to think about or mention the numbers 1, 2, or three lines. Also, they don’t go by the term “line”, most people in NYC just refer to them as trains. For example, “Can you tell me how to get to the number one train?” With only a single fare and a little ingenuity, you can travel across the entire city and its five boroughs because the subway’s 27 routes are interconnected with many of the lines allowing for across-the-platform transfers to express or local trains.

Entering the subway

First things first, when you get to a subway station entrance there’s usually a colored globe on a pole. A green globe tells you that this entrance is open and is staffed by a Station Agent 24-hours a day. A red globe tells you that the entrance may only be open part-time, may be closed, or may be open but not be staffed by any personnel. Also, you should look for the sign that’s usually above the stairs to the subway (whether underground or elevated) that tells you which trains (what line) runs there. Once you enter the station there should be a Customer Information Center bulletin board near the station booth, on it you'll find the latest subway map and information about changes in service.

Paying your fare

You can purchase NYC Transit’s latest fare media, the MetroCard, from either one of the convenient machines or from the agent in the booth. The larger machine, the MetroCard Vending Machine, lets you buy a MetroCard using cash, an ATM or credit card. The smaller machine, the MetroCard Express Machine, only accepts ATM or credit cards. Once you’ve purchased your fare media, Swipe your MetroCard through the slot in the top of the turnstile. Walk through the metal barrier arms when you hear a single beep and the turnstile’s screen says, “GO.”

In the station

Once you’re inside the subway, there are signs everywhere describing the routes, route changes, etc. Just take your time and follow the signs for the train (subway route) you want to take. Overhead, at intervals along the platform’s edge, you'll find signs that tell you which trains stop there and the direction the trains are going, such as Uptown or Downtown. Some signs are even more specific and let you know whether this train is Queens-bound or Brooklyn-bound. Be sure to wait behind the yellow warning strip at the edge of the platform. If you're traveling when during off-peak hours, meaning at midday or at night, it’s another good idea to wait in what’s known as the “Off-Hour Waiting Area”. There’s usually a yellow sign suspended from the ceiling that identifies the “Off-Hour Waiting Area” as just that. It’s nothing special or elaborate; it’s just a space usually near the turnstiles where it’s easier for the station agent to keep an eye on you. The trains usually run about every 5 minutes during rush hour, that’s 6:30AM to 9:30AM and from 3:30PM to 6:30PM, Monday through Friday. During the midday the trains run about every 5 to 10 minutes apart. During the evening, that’s 8:00PM to just before 6:30AM, the trains can run between 15 and 30 minutes apart. Also, during the late evening, many trains run with fewer cars so during those late night excursions it’s a good idea to look out for black and yellow signs that let you know where you should wait on the platform. To make it even easier for you, some subway stations have electronic signs called “annunciators” with a simple digital readout that points out when a train is coming and whether the train is traveling uptown or downtown. You’ll even hear a beeping sound that lets you know that a train is about to arrive. These annunciators are usually located near the Off-Hour Waiting Areas mentioned earlier.

Getting from here to there

Once you’ve made up your mind about where it is you want to go, now you’ve got to make sure you get on the right train. Boarding the right train is actually pretty easy if you keep your eyes and ears alert. First off, the front and sides of every train displays the number or letter of the train. For example, the “A” train or the number 4 train. There are plenty of stations throughout the subway system where more than one train stops, i.e., the numbers 1,2,3 as well as the N, Q, and R trains all stop at Times Square station, not to mention the shuttle train that takes you from Times Square on the west side of the city to Grand Central Station on the east side. You can see why you'll want to be sure to read the route number on the front or side of the train before you get on. You should also keep in mind that local trains make every stop while express trains skip some stops, for example the A train is an express while the C train is local. As you get on the train, please be careful of the gap between the platform and the train.

Manhattan

New York City, also called Manhattan, is accessible from all of the outer boroughs; these are Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. If you’re taking a train from anywhere in Brooklyn to Manhattan, you are going uptown and so must take the corresponding train. If you’re in Manhattan and you want to go to Brooklyn, make sure you take a downtown train. Just make sure which part of Brooklyn you want to go to before getting on a train! Any train going from Manhattan to the Bronx is going uptown, consequently any train going from the Bronx to Manhattan has to go downtown. The Queens trains are a little tougher. Some, like the A and the C, go uptown to Manhattan while others like J or the 7 make it a little easier by stating they are Manhattan-bound. From Manhattan to Queens, it’s just reversed with the signs going to Queens reading Queens-bound.

East side-West side

If you’re going to do all of your traveling an Manhattan then here’s some additional pointers… the 4,5,and 6 trains (the “green” lines) run along the east side of Manhattan while the A, C, E, 1,2, and 3 trains run along the west side. If you’re not sure which side your destination is on, check the address or directions. Trains that run along the east side run where the avenues are numbered the lowest, for example First Avenue through Fifth Avenue. This is where all the famous avenues and shops are. This is where you’ll find the well known Madison and Lexington Avenues, as well as Tiffany’s and Bloomingdales. Trains that run alongside the west side of the city run where the avenues are numbered the highest, for example Seventh through 11th Avenues. This is where you’ll find the World Trade Center, Greenwich Village, Lincoln Center, the Port Authority and the Jacob Javits Convention Center. The B, D, F, N, R, V and W trains run right up the middle until they hit Central Park. So how do you know when to get off the train at your stop? Well, train conductors usually make announcements and they’re usually clear enough so you'll know what the next stop is along the line, but it’s still best to through the train windows and see what stop you’re pulling into.

The map

Every manned station booth stocks the most up-to-date version of the subway map. These maps are absolutely free and contain a wealth of information to help you get to where you’re going. It’s a great idea to consult one of these maps before and during your trip so that you’ll have a good idea what direction you need to go and how to ultimately get to your destination. Every subway car also has two maps posted inside on either side of the car. The newest subway cars, like the ones on the L train, have colorful strip maps that show the stops along the line. They also have electronic strip maps with digital readouts of the upcoming stops with an electronic voice that announces the current stop and the next station.

Summary

So there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t climb aboard a NYC subway train and explore the city via one of its greatest attractions. Just remember that Yankee Stadium is in the Bronx, City Hall’s on the east side, the Mets play in Queens, and Washington Square Park is somewhere in the middle. If you still have questions, walk up to any MTA NYC Transit employee and ask them how to get around, there are about 47,000 of them and they’d all be glad to help you.