Commuting - Get ready NYC Subway commuters!

When service changes on 2/22/04, here's what's going to happen to your subway service:

B=Q, D=W, BDNQ over bridge, BD runs express in manhattan but only in the middle, NQ run express but only on broadway, D=W but only in brooklyn, B = Q in brooklyn and N=Q in manhattan, D no longer stops at dekalb but does at night, N doesn't go over bridge at night and resumes old N service through tunnel with the R which is unaffected, doesn't stop at dekalb either, W only runs in manhattan now and takes the old N line, Q is completely discontinued (so long).

Got it?

Glad I own a bike...

Glad this doesn't affect me.

Glad I don't have a clue what slvoid said.

Glad I live in Texas.

NYC public transportation sucks. I went out there once, tried to use it once, and vowed never to voluntarily step my foot back in that city again. It's way too complicated when it doesn't need to be, fersheezy.

Koff

Yea NYC subway sucks ass as is, when the changes happen, I think the whole thing's gonna be chaos underground.
Plus they're phasing out manned stations with the gates. Which means single person turnstiles that prevent bikes and baby carriages from getting on the subway as well as any large packages.
I've seen families get stuck at a stations because the gates were locked and unmanned.

Hopefully, they will have the gates along with the turnstiles that accomodate for wheelchairs. We have turnstiles and got rid of the manned gates here in Chicago years ago, and it works well. There still is a CTA representative at every train stop in case there are problems, but for the most part, everyone uses the turnstiles, and if you can't get through it, there are gates that either can be unlocked and opened by a CTA rep, or you can simply use your bus/train pass for the automated gate and open it up and either wheel your way through, or walk the stroller through, or walk your bike through. Whatever works for you.

I remember (barely) when they had all that train A/train B/all stops train crap- I barely took those trains, and when they finally did away with that and just assigned the trains the colors and gave them one route, I was relieved. Of course, now I ride my bike, so the trains mean nearly nothing to me now.

Koffee

NYC public transportation sucks. I went out there once, tried to use it once, and vowed never to voluntarily step my foot back in that city again. It's way too complicated when it doesn't need to be, fersheezy.
Koff

I disagree. New York City is one of the few cities in the world that has a public transportation system (subways, Trams, buses, railroads) worth hundreds of billions in todays dollars. The only reason the city became rich and prosperous is due to that subway system built at the turn of the century. Without the subway, there is no way the city could function as we seen the chaos during the blackout when hundreds of thousands were sleeping on the streets because we had no rail transport.

I can't tell you how many people I've met over the years who are car free because of the subway system including myself. For those that must spend 20 or 30 percent of their incomes on automobiles, you have my sincere condolences. The only reason I could become car-free is due in large part to the New York City subway. I can't tell you the THOUSANDS I'm saving!

The New York City MTA map is not that hard to understand once you have someone explain it to you. I can teach you how to use the subway map in about 15 minutes. The MTA is one of the most bike friendly subway systems in the world allowing access to cycles 24 hours a day! (Thank you Transprortation Alternatives) I don't know of ANY subway system that is this generous to cyclists. Most rail lines force you to box the bike or restrict you during rush hours. Not New York city!

I've used the MTA during the past month instead of cycling in the city when temperatures were below 20F. It saves wear and tear on my body and keeps me from getting terribly sick. I love the MTA and participate in subway forums regularly.

Last summer, I explored the MTA's subway system riding many lines to the end and then coming back home by bicycle with the aid of my GPS. It was amazing to travel to the last stop and discover neighborhoods I've never seen in my life. I can't wait to do this summer. It's opened up a whole new world.

Glad this doesn't affect me.

Glad I don't have a clue what slvoid said.

Glad I live in Texas.


I agree with everything you said. Except thelast part I'm glad I live in Washington, the other Wahington that is ;)

Plus they're phasing out manned stations with the gates. Which means single person turnstiles that prevent bikes and baby carriages from getting on the subway as well as any large packages.
I've seen families get stuck at a stations because the gates were locked and unmanned.

Folding bikes get through those single person turnstiles. The poor larger mountain/bikes will simply have to suffer.

Steve Dahon, you make sound pretty inviting. Here in Minneapolis (and St Paul for that matter) all we have is the bus system and thats pretty limited unless you just want to get around the cities, the suburbs are pretty sketchy. We are getting our first light rail line in, it opens April 4th, but the first faze just takes you from downtown Minneapolis to the airport and back (with stops along the way). Phase two opens next December (I think) and that will extend it out to the Mall of America and back. The trams are set up to accomadate bikes, I don't know what the regs will be. We are a little behind the times as far as mass transit, but we are a very bike friendly area.

Out the door, down the street. Stop at the one light. Up the hill, turn left. 10 mile straight shot of two lane country road. Timing depends upon whether you beat the cows crossing to the milking barn.

I disagree. New York City is one of the few cities in the world that has a public transportation system (subways, Trams, buses, railroads) worth hundreds of billions in todays dollars. The only reason the city became rich and prosperous is due to that subway system built at the turn of the century. Without the subway, there is no way the city could function as we seen the chaos during the blackout when hundreds of thousands were sleeping on the streets because we had no rail transport.

I can't tell you how many people I've met over the years who are car free because of the subway system including myself. For those that must spend 20 or 30 percent of their incomes on automobiles, you have my sincere condolences. The only reason I could become car-free is due in large part to the New York City subway. I can't tell you the THOUSANDS I'm saving!

The New York City MTA map is not that hard to understand once you have someone explain it to you. I can teach you how to use the subway map in about 15 minutes. The MTA is one of the most bike friendly subway systems in the world allowing access to cycles 24 hours a day! (Thank you Transprortation Alternatives) I don't know of ANY subway system that is this generous to cyclists. Most rail lines force you to box the bike or restrict you during rush hours. Not New York city!

I've used the MTA during the past month instead of cycling in the city when temperatures were below 20F. It saves wear and tear on my body and keeps me from getting terribly sick. I love the MTA and participate in subway forums regularly.

Last summer, I explored the MTA's subway system riding many lines to the end and then coming back home by bicycle with the aid of my GPS. It was amazing to travel to the last stop and discover neighborhoods I've never seen in my life. I can't wait to do this summer. It's opened up a whole new world.

I feel what you're saying. But I really believe there are a lot of cities in this country that have good, solid, less confusing public transportation where people don't have to take cars. I'm sure the NYC subway system is a godsend, considering the number of people that live in NYC. I just don't think it's practical. In their attempt to make mass transit more accessible, it's turned into a confusing mess. I just thought the transit system was too big to handle. Even the people that worked in the transit system couldn't steer me in the right direction when I was taking the train, and I found that frustrating. How can you work for the mass transit system but not know which trains run where?

In Chicago, you can seriously go without owning a car. I think our mass transit is pretty good. It doesn't take me 15 minutes to explain the subway to people- it takes about 2 minutes, tops. Whatever can't be accessed by train can be accessed by bus, or you can do a combination of both. Some trains also meet up at certain stops, so if you miss one train, you can jump another train and meet up with that train at a connection. Maps are clear and concise. Trains are easy to identify. The CTA maps have a full map of Chicago with all the trains and buses, and when you flip the map, you get every bus with their number, and the times they run. It's easy to figure out how to get from point A to point B. They even have arrows to indicate what the direction the route is of the bus, so you don't get confused and catch the bus you want going in the wrong direction.

Trains are a snap. We've got 3 green lines, 1 orange line, 3 blue lines, 1 brown line and one red line. We also have a purple line and a yellow line for the folks that live just north of Chicago but need to come into Chicago. The map of the city shows the colors outlined with how the trains run, where they meet up, and when they get to the city, how they run through the loop. It's so easy to identify which train you're going to take- simply knowing the first stop of the train and the last stop of the train indicates the direction of travel. Plus, you can use your transit card on all buses and trains, so no need to toggle back and forth between rider cards. That's easy.

I work at the youth hostel every Sunday. There are a lot of people who come in from other countries, and some of them have very limited english. Yet I can break down the full CTA system to them simply by pointing when they ask where things are. Even if you're illiterate, you can figure out that map.

I'm sure that NYC would need a more complex system since NYC is a bigger city than Chicago, but uuuuugh... when I read the description that slvoid posted, I just think that in its effort to become more user friendly, they've actually created a bigger monster than they can handle. It was bad enough already- all the extras will just make it worse. But folks out there will adapt and learn the system and get by, while visitors coming through stand by and struggle with that monstrosity you all call convenient public transportation.


Koffee

I agree with Dahon.Steve, NYC has a great subway and bikes are legal on most transit: subways, ferries, and bridges, not sure about buses and tunnels. I found the transit to be more user friendly than any other place I have ever been. NYC is geographically more complicated than Chicago with 5 boros separated by water, the hudson and east river, far away staten island, tunnels, bridges, etc. I am up in Hartford, CT in a suburb and work in a cross town suburb and have do not have point to point bus service. I previously worked in downtown and had a bus stop 3.3 miles from my house that took me downtown. However, the buses will not allow bicycles on the bus.

I've been living in NYC all my life and taken the subway through almost all of it.
Yes I do agree, for what it's worth, it's not easy managing a system that gets millions around everyday. On the other hand, having my subway fare double in this time while service has actually dropped 4-5 times would say that they could do a much better job of it.
The line I ride's the one that unfortuantely has extremely bad delays often 1-2 out of 5 working days.
Not to mention infrequent service upwards of 15 minutes per train where on the other side of the tracks, another train that carries the same amount of people through a business district has the same type of trains going once ever 30-45 SECONDS.
Some trains take an hour to go a distance that normally takes me 15 minutes by bike during rush hour because while they can't afford to stick them onto trains that run in the "richer" parts of town, trains here get shafted with the trainees that don't know what they were doing.
A girl was killed yesterday when she stepped onto the tracks to pick up a cell phone and was hit by a train pulling into the station at less than 10 mph, conductor wasn't watching.
At the station near work, they keep the gates closed and unmanned. I once saw a father take his sick child through the turnstile (there's a hospital near by) while his mom had to stand by with the stroller because it wouldn't fit through even when folded up and there was no one at the gate. Sure you can blame them for being poor and not having a car but that's bullsh*t.

Oh here's the best part, they spent countless billions "upgrading" the system so we can foot the bill for it.
So far the only newer, cleaner, quieter trains I've seen are the ones that run though manhattan and wall street, gee I wonder why. I worked with an engineer an investigation of the new trains. Turns out they spec'ed it to the lowest bidder and the safety linkages between the trains have been failing after 8 months rather than the spec'ed 20 years.
And while the older cars, you can shift them around to different lines by simply changing the number or letter on the sign, the new ones have a fully lit map of the train's specific route installed onto it which make it an absolute ***** to switch around.
My girlfriend and I each ride 4 different lines to school and work. There hasn't been one day this winter that we've gotten from point A to point B without some sort of delay, train out of service, or been on a train with a malfunctioning active noise cancellation system that they wouldn't take out of service (think dog whistle 10x louder in your ears).

On the other hand, having my subway fare double in this time while service has actually dropped 4-5 times would say that they could do a much better job of it. Not to mention infrequent service upwards of 15 minutes per train where on the other side of the tracks, another train that carries the same amount of people through a business district has the same type of trains going once ever 30-45 SECONDS.

A girl was killed yesterday when she stepped onto the tracks to pick up a cell phone and was hit by a train pulling into the station at less than 10 mph, conductor wasn't watching.

The fare did not double and the average New Yorker is paying the $2.00 dollar fare since many are using the unlimited Metro Card. A 15 minute headway between trains is excellant by any standard. Most trains around the world have longer headways.

The conductor was watching but could not stop the train in time to save the girl. The V Train enters that station much faster than 10 mph and it's a blind corner all the way around. According the the New York Post, witnesses state the trains brakes were all the way down but trying to stop several hundred tons of steal on a dime is impossible.

Not everyone buys the unlimited fare passes. Standard fare is still $2. I'm not saying the fare doubled but since I've been using it, it has doubled while service has dropped dramatically.

I've been riding this thing all my life and believe me when I tell you I've seen plenty of 15 minute intervals between trains and in that amount of time, the stations become dangerously overcrowded to the point where people a) can't move on the stairs and b) they're beyond the yellow line on the platform. The average time system wide for trains is something like 5 minutes which might cut it in a small city.

A *5* minute delay on the 1,2,3,9 platform at times square means that the station fills up to the brim with people standing pass the yellow line on the platforms. And usually the trains come rushing in at 10-15 mph (way faster than they should). If you've stood there before, you know the effect that has when a train passes by and you're beyond the yellow line, the low pressure sucks you towards the train. Absolutely ridiculously dangerous. It's like russian roulette and absolutely disgusting how they choose to treat it much like NASA does. If a few broken tiles never caused a failure before, if a few eroded o-rings never caused a failure before, then there's no need for reform.

On some lines, during RUSH HOUR in the morning, the gates are physically chained closed. Meaning if there were an emergency, 2-300 people would have to jam one by one through those rotary turnstiles.

How can anything like that be acceptable in a day and age when you can't even sit on the steps to watch a movie because you present a fire hazard.

This is just a rant but the situation is real.

You know... the only problem I've had woth crowding in CHicago trains and buses have been a.) Leaving a Cubs game and b.) leaving Navy Pier at closing time. Other than those times, I have found the system in Chicago absolutely wonderful. I'll be moving there next spring, and doubt that I'll use the system a whole lot, since I have my bike; but I'll probably use it on foul weather days.

Now, don't even get me started on Indy's public transportation system :P

Not everyone buys the unlimited fare passes. Standard fare is still $2. I'm not saying the fare doubled but since I've been using it, it has doubled while service has dropped dramatically.

How can anything like that be acceptable in a day and age when you can't even sit on the steps to watch a movie because you present a fire hazard.

This is just a rant but the situation is real.

If you buy a 10 dollar Metro card the fare drops to $1.83 per ride. If you purchase a 10 dollar Metro card using a Trainsit check, the fare drops to slightly more than $1.50 per ride. In other words, the only people paying $2.00 per fare are those suckers who are buying single rides.

I don't have a car so my my annual costs of using public transportation is less than $1,100.00 per year. Auto insurance where I live for a new car would be twice that and I'd still have to pay for repairs, gas, tolls, tickets and parking. I have nothing to complain about. Since going car free, I've been able to clear ALL my debts including student loans and credit cards. By summer time, I should be debt free in large part to the New York City Subway System.

I love the MTA system. It's not perfect but what subway system is? Would you prefer to live in LA and drive everywhere?

My wife and me commute everyday on the subway, bus and PATH...

the cost, convenience and speed by which one can get from point A to point B and everywhere inbetween is nothing short of an engineering & planning marvel.

When one considers the sheer population, rivers, density of buildings, etc... NYC mass transit is THE standard by which all other cities transit systems are measured.

Of course it's more cozy to be in ones own car-all safe and secure and knowing that some stranger isn't going to ask you for money or some party girl isn't going to vomit on you at 2am-BUT if you want that you can have the option of driving and sitting in traffic for hours or move out and live somewhere else.