New York City is one of the world's largest cities by area. Encompassing almost 70 miles from its most southern suburb to the North Bronx. As most citys this size, public transportation is a haven...and New York City is probably the most famous for its transportation.
New York's "yellow cabs" are the most seen taxi cabs in the world. In a review conducted a few years ago, it was stated that their were 10 taxis for every other car in the city of New York. New York has over 75,000 operating "yellow cabs" and can take you anywhere within the burough of Manhattan for a reasonable price.

The New York subway system is probably the most efficient modes of transportation and most famous in the world. The New York Subways have been depicted in hundreds of movies through the years, and carry a stingy stereotype that has since been changed. The Subway is definately a much cleaner, more efficient mode of transport - and can carry you throughout all of New York City.
Along with many cities worldwide, New York is no exception to thorough bus service as well. The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey operate close to 2,000 buses city wide. If speed and space are of no concern to you, the bus is the most cost effective way to travel New York.

New York City is an easy city to navigate if you know the rules. The cities Public Tranportation system is world-renowned; despite the few instances of theft, vandalism and homelessness - the system is very state of the art. If traveling to New York, one should take into consideration the many opportunities that the Transit Authority provides to you.

S U B W A Y S

The New York City Subway (coined the "METRO") is the cities most effective form of transportation. Close to 3½ million passengers board the subways EVERYDAY! The City of New York, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) are the prime controllers of the subway system, and have (over the years) completely revamped the trains and stations from its bleek, dreaded stereotypical past.

Like London, Tokyo, and Paris - New York holds the title as one of the biggest and most complex network of underground travels. Encompassing almost all of the New York City Metropolitan area. One can board the subway all the way in Eastern Queens and ride all the way to Downtown Manhattan. Not only does the subway have entrances at least every 3 to 4 blocks in Manhattan, it also extends to most neighborhoods and enclaves throughout the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn.
The Subway system is primarily responsible for the development and expansion of the city itself. Starting in the early 1800's as an above-ground train and trolly service. As more people immigrated and migrated to New York, the train/subway system would continue to expand more northern on Manhattan Isle...spreading within 50 years all the way to the present site of Central Park. By the early 1930s, the rapid transit system was underground in Manhattan, and partly submerged in the outer buroughs..and continued to expand eastwards onto Long Island. Today, there is over 155,000 square miles of track; making it the one of the largest networks of underground transportation...second only to London's Underground.

In the 1970s the subways were plagued with graffiti, and dirty cars - but today, the subways are mostly spotless, and very efficient. They represent the most effective way to get to your destination. In one year, over 1 billion passengers find it to be their favorite way to get to work, play or wherever they might be going. The subway has definately improved 150% since the cities financially troubled days and, even to tourists, has become a quick, cheap and safe way to travel.

WHERE TO BOARD & HOW TO RIDE THE SUBWAY

• To Find a Subway Station:
New York Subways have 468 stations, and claim the fame of the city with the most subway stations. In Manhattan, the subway stations are all underground - and you have to locate the subway station by looking for a round globe just above the sidewalk near the stations entrance, or just look for the stairs that lead underground - usually located at a street corner.
A green globe means the entrance is staffed 24 hours a day. A red globe means the subway entrance is closed or restricted in some way. A sign will always explain these restrictions.

As you enter the subway staion going down the stairs, the sign above you - (visible at street level also) will tell you which trains are running on this track, identified by the colored circles labeling the trains number or letter such as "A" or "1". And the sign will tell you the stations name, such as "42nd Street - Times Square". Of course, trains run on a east to west or north to south route, in most cases; so you when you enter the station, you may have to walk through a tunnel to access the other side of the tracks for your direction.

• Buy a token or a Metrocard:
The fare for riding the trains are paid for by using the traditional token or the new Metrocard. Both obtainable at any token booth inside the station. The fare for riding is $1.50, using either. Tokens are available in bags of 10. And Metrocards are available various combinations - such as 10 rides, 20 rides, 50 rides, and more. The Metrocard is great for travelers, buy one Metrocard for your entire stay and you never half to buy fare again.
Token-booth clerks cannot accept bills larger than $20, for obvious burglary reasons. (Please don't pay with pennies). Children ride free with a paid adult, but must be under 44 inches tall.

The MetroCard is an automated plastic, credit card. When obtained at over 120 of the busiest subway stations (also the only stations that can take the cards now) the attendant will credit the card with your desired fare amount. You can buy a Metrocard for a minimum of $5 up to a maximum of $80, in multiples of $5. More stations are being added everyday as they become staffed for the MetroCard facilities. MetroCards are also available at over 900 vendors city wide, including hotels.

The token represents the $1.50 fare to ride the subway, and these tokens are available and accepted at EVERY station, network wide. Tokens are usually distributed by a machine where you deposit your bills, and collect tokens, or from an attendent. The tokens are gold and silver and once deposited at the turnstiles, not refundable.

• Know where you're going:
At every station, a board or sign will display Passender Information. This large bulletin will tell the perspective rider where they are, the lines and station names on the routes using maps, and include service schedules and information about changes.

Every token-booth attendant has subway maps and directions available, as well as knowledge to help you. In most busy stations, there are Station Managers to serve you as well.

• Go through the Turnstiles:
After obtaining a token or MetroCard, proceed to the Turnstiles entering the tracks and deposit your token, or slide your MetroCard throught the swipe-reader. If you are disabled, you can pay your fare at the token-booth clerk and the clerk will open a special gate. Once through the turnstiles proceed to wait for your train. (You may have to descend further stairs of escalators)

• Wait for your Train:
After exiting the turnstiles, follow the signs displaying the route you want to take. Detailed signs are above you or aside you on tunnel ways guiding you to your track. At the platform edge you will find signs that will explain which trains arrive and depart here as well as their directions. Trains traveling "UPTOWN" go northbound, and "DOWNTOWN" travel southbound. And then also trains "BROOKLYN-BOUND" head to Long-Island for service to Brooklyn, and Queens.

Trains run approximately every 2 to 5 minutes during rush hours, and 10 to 15 minutes during the day, and almost 20 minutes late at night between 12-midnight and 5am.
When waiting for your train, wait behind the yellow line before the track. If you're traveling during non-rush hours (especially midday and late at night), its suggested to wait in an "Off-hours area" which is marked by a yellow sign, usually suspended from the ceiling. Token clerks can see you when waiting in this area, primarily done for safety reasons.

Train operators sound their horns when arriving in the stat

N THE BUS

The traffic in Manhattan ensures that even if you leave plenty of time when taking the bus, you will arrive at your destination late. This does not mean that you should never take the bus—it can be a great way to see landmarks and street life while sitting down. An especially good route is the M1 along Fifth and Madison Avenues from 59th Street to the Battery and back.

City buses are blue and white and they stop every two or three blocks at stops marked by white and blue signs. When the bus arrives, check the lighted sign in front to make sure it's your route. Subway tokens or MetroCards are the easiest way to pay for a bus ride. Otherwise, you must have exact change—$1.50. Only quarters, dimes, and nickels are accepted; no bills. Free transfers are available if you need to change buses to reach your destination, but you must ask for one when you pay your fare. No paper transfer is necessary when using a MetroCard.

Most buses "kneel," which means that the front right side of the bus comes down to street level to make it easy to board. All buses are wheelchair accessible; use the entrance toward the back of the bus, where there is a lift. To request a stop, press the (usually) yellow strip between the windows, which will illuminate a "stop requested" sign at the front of the bus. Exit from either the front or rear doors (you have to push the rear doors open).

There are about 30 express-bus routes operated by the NYC Transit. Many of them run between Manhattan and Staten Island during weekday rush hours only. Express-bus tokens are sold in 11 Downtown Manhattan Stations. Call (718) 330-1234 for express-bus schedule information.

AKE A TAXI

Taxis are a convenient way to get around, particularly at night. Taxis are yellow—anyone who tells you he's a taxi driver in a car a color other than yellow is lying. If the light on the top of the cab is lit in the middle, the cab is empty and in service.

Most hotels have taxi stands, as do Grand Central Terminal and Pennsylvania Station. Hailing a cab yourself is easy enough. Stand just off the corner, a little bit out in the street, and raise your arm. This is usually enough to get a cab to stop. Yelling "taxi" or whistling is unnecessary—the city is noisy enough as it is.

Rates for taxis are:
$2.00 just for getting in;
$.30 for each 1/4 mile;
$.30 for each 30 seconds stopped in traffic;
$.50 additional night charge;
Plus, tip in the range of 15-20 percent.

N THE CAR

Driving in Manhattan should be easy: above 14th Street, the streets form a perpendicular, numeric grid—avenues are north-south, streets are east-west. Fifth Avenue divides the East Side from the West Side. However, the combination of traffic, crazy drivers, and one-way streets makes driving a nightmare for the inexperienced. If you can avoid it, do so.

Don't block the intersection; it's illegal and causes gridlock. Technically, you are not allowed to honk your horn unless someone is in danger of hitting you, or being hit by you, but no one pays attention to this. Parking tickets are serious business here, so read the signs before you park. Alternate side rules mean that on certain days you cannot park on one side of the street, because it is being cleaned. You cannot park in loading zones, within 20 feet of a fire hydrant, at a bus stop, or anywhere else a sign tells you not to.

Lock your car doors, remove the stereo if you don't want someone else to do it for you, and don't leave anything valuable in plain sight.

Y RAILROAD

The Long Island Rail Road is a heavily-used commuter train with several different lines to various towns in Queens and on Long Island. All lines end at Pennsylvania Station. You can purchase tickets at the station, or on the train, though a service charge will be tacked on to tickets bought on the train, so leave extra time. Tickets for rush-hour trains are more expensive, though if you are a regular commuter, you can purchase weekly or monthly passes for a discount.

The Metro North Railroad, which has its hub at Grand Central Terminal runs passenger trains north along several lines into Connecticut and upstate New York.

ETTING TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT

Landing on the runway at the airport in the city of your choice usually means the end of your long journey. Not in New York City. Getting from the airport into Manhattan is actually half of the journey, so plan ahead: figure out exactly where you're going and the best way for you to get there before you deplane.

The return trip to the airport should be a cinch: use the bus services mentioned above, call that limo service again, or pull your bags to the curb and hail a cab.

There are two major airports in New York City, both in Queens: John F. Kennedy International Airport, the bigger and grimier of the two, and LaGuardia Airport, which is closer to Manhattan. From midtown Manhattan, it's about 15 miles to JFK Airport and around five miles to LaGuardia Airport. Be prepared to spend an hour or more to get from the airport into mid-Manhattan. Newark International Airport in New Jersey is actually closer to some parts of Manhattan than either New York City airport and the journey takes around 30 minutes.

IRPORT: TAXIS

The simplest way into the city, though certainly not the cheapest, is to take a taxi. The fare from JFK Airport is a fixed rate of $30 to go anywhere in Manhattan, plus tolls and tip. The trip from LaGuardia Airport into the city is a metered one, with usual fares ranging from $20 to $30, plus tolls and tip. Fares from Newark Airport, which are metered but don't include toll or tip, cost between $28-$32 to Midtown Manhattan.

There is an authorized taxi stand where a dispatcher directs passengers to the appropriate cab, so have the exact address of your destination handy (it also helps to have cross streets). Though drivers standing in the terminal soliciting travelers may offer better deals, beware: these people are unlicensed taxi drivers. This means they are not driving a standard yellow cab with a medallion on the roof, and may use unregulated (read: potentially rigged) meters, and are not required to follow the rules and regulations that govern licensed cabbies.

IRPORT: BUSES

If economizing is a concern, you should consider taking the bus into the city. New York Airport Service buses depart for the city every 30 minutes from 6am to 12am from all terminals at both the airports. The fare is $13 from JFK Airport and $10 from LaGuardia Airport. The trip takes about an hour to get to Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. The bus subsequently stops at a string of hotels before terminating at the New York Airport Service Ticket Office at 125 Park across the street from Grand Central Terminal. Gray Line also operates shuttles from all terminals to specific locations in Manhattan for a one-way fare of $16 from JFK Airport and $13 from LaGuardia Airport. New Jersey Transit's Airport Express Bus (number 300) leaves from each terminal every 20 to 30 minutes all day and terminates at Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. Fare is $7 one-way or $12 round-trip and the trip takes 30 to 60 minutes. Olympic Trails has two buses that serve Manhattan from all Newark Airport terminals. One goes to the World Trade Center, leaving every 20 to 30 minutes from 6am to 8pm weekdays and from 7am to 8pm on other days. The other bus serves Newark Airport terminals from 5am to 11pm, with stops near Grand Central Terminal and Pennsylvania Station. Fare for either bus is $7 one-way and $12 round-trip. Inquiries can be made at the Ground Transportation Desk.

IRPORT: CAR AND LIMO SERVICES

If price is not a concern, using a limousine service (usually just a plain, old car) allows you to hire a car in advance that will meet you at the airport when your flight is scheduled to arrive. This option is more expensive than a taxi—the trip from JFK Airport to Times Square will run you about $57 plus tolls and tip; the same trip from LaGuardia Airport will cost $47, plus tolls and tip. A few limo services are American Dream Car and Limo Service (212) 427-2648, Jaffa Express Limo Service (212) 289-7272, and Jerusalem Car Service (212) 996-2100. You can book in advance or call them from phones at the Ground Transportation Desk.

IRPORT: RENTAL CARS

For the truly adventurous who intend on driving during their time in New York, all major car rental companies have reservation desks at JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Airport airports. Hertz, Dollar Rent a Car, Avis, and National Car Rental have locations at all three airports. Enterprise and Budget service JFK and LaGuardia airports, and Alamo services Newark Airport.

IRPORT: ALTERNATIVE TRANSIT

New Jersey Transit's Airlink bus (number 302) travels to Pennsylvania Station in Newark Airport. From there you can catch a PATH or Amtrak train to New York and many other destinations. PATH trains run 24 hours a day between New York and New Jersey. Amtrak trains are more expensive, but go directly to Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan. Airlink buses leave each Newark Airport terminal every 20 to 30 minutes and the journey takes 15 to 30 minutes. The fare is $4 and requires exact change.

Delta Airlines operates a water shuttle from the LaGuardia Airport Marine Air Terminal to the East 34th Street Pier and Wall Street Pier 11, with a shuttle bus from the air terminals to the Marine Air Terminal. The water shuttle leaves weekdays hourly from 7:45am to 10:45pm and from 3:45pm to 6:45pm. and takes less time than ground transportation. The fare is $20 one-way and $30 round-trip.

OMMON-SENSE PRECAUTIONS

New York is a big city, both in terms of area and number of people who live, work, and visit here. While most New Yorkers are good people who will help you out and are happy to give directions and such, there are certain unsavory characters around. Most tourists fear being mugged, assaulted, or otherwise physically harmed, but there are simple precautions you can take to prevent this by knowing how to take care of yourself.

Do not bring to New York anything that you cannot replace, i.e. expensive jewelry, watches, and fur coats. If you do choose to wear expensive jewelry here, cover it up when you are on the street or subway. When taking money out to pay for the subway or a hotdog, don't flash it around. Instead, keep some money in your pocket separate from your wallet for these kinds of small expenditures.

Keep your handbag, cameras, and video recorders slung over the front of your body, where you can keep a hand and an eye on them, especially on the bus and subway. Walk confidently, as if you know where you are going, and avoid wandering around with your neck craned skyward to gawk at the tall buildings. This is unsafe not only because you look like a tourist, but it also decreases your awareness of movement and people directly around you. However, don't be shy of asking people on the street for directions—New Yorkers are generally happy to help.

On the subway it's best to avoid eye-contact with anyone who looks threatening. I suppose we can all look threatening at times, which means, sadly, that everyone on the subway avoids eye-contact with everyone else. Most New Yorkers also turn a deaf ear and blind eye to the beggars on the streets and the subways who sometimes badger those who seem to have interest in their plight.

ISABLED IN NEW YORK

Having a physical disability in New York City can suck. Major museums, hotels, and department stores are accessible, but a lot of places are not, ADA not-withstanding.

Riding the subway is almost entirely out of the question for those in wheelchairs, since there are very few stations with elevators. In the long term, the MTA plans to address this, but current conditions do not welcome the handicapped traveller. Most buses are accessible—there's a wheelchair lift at the back entrance that the driver lowers. There is a reduced-fare card for handicapped bus and subway patrons; call (212) 878-7294 for details.

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