NYC has one of the most complete and robust public transportation systems in the world. You can ride the train from one end of the city to the other. It runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year, including weekends and holidays.
However, no matter where you are or what mode of transportation you use, delays due to mechanical problems, accidents, sick passengers, and other reasons are inevitable. The NYC subway system is no exception.
Usually, when you arrive at a train station and see a crowd of people, it means there are train delays. These can be caused by a variety of issues such as signal problems or a sick passenger. Delays can be brief or they might add significant time to your commute.
Depending on where you are, you might have the option to walk to another train station, take a bus, or a cab. Of course, this depends on your location. Sometimes your only option is to wait for the train you are on, but other times you can find an alternate route.
For example, in the Bronx, the D train and the 4 train stations are only a short walk from each other. They mostly run parallel, so if needed, you can easily walk between them.
After many years of living in NYC, I consider myself knowledgeable about the subway system. For information I don’t know, I can easily look it up on a subway map app on a smartphone or on the train itself.
Last night, I waited 15 minutes for a 7 train that didn’t show up. The platform became very crowded, and then even more so. The announcer warned us about massive delays and suggested exploring other options. When the platform fills up and you hear an announcement like that, you realize you are stuck.
At the Times Square 7 train station, I walked over to the connected E train via a brief underground passage and was soon on my way back to Queens. It’s great to have options.
Do you know how to navigate the NYC subway system? What methods of transportation do you use to get around?
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