A newcomer’s guide to navigating New York

Written by Shelley McKay

Photo by Shelley McKay

Big cities are often judged on their ability to move the hundreds of thousands (or millions) of their inhabitants and tourists safely and quickly from point A to point B. The Sustainable Cities Mobility Index 2017 ranked New York’s transportation system 23rd among 100 cities, taking into account each system’s social and human impacts (like accessibility and efficiency), economic aspects (such as affordability and time taken to get to work), and environmental implications (including air pollution and electric vehicle incentives).

In the city that never sleeps, it is no surprise that the public transport system keeps New Yorkers on the move at all times of the day and night. You may find that you use different modes of transport based on what is running efficiently at the time of your journey. With any mass transit system, there are bound to be issues, and I have discovered that being flexible can provide you with alternate ways of reaching your destination. If not the subway, then how about a bus, or Citi Bike?

Here is a rundown of the options in New York.

The subway

This is the go-to mode of transportation for most New Yorkers. Once you’ve hacked how it works, you can get to pretty much anywhere in the city — although, these days, you should be prepared for delays. Riding the subway is also an excellent way to experience the city’s diversity — check out this infographic by Michelle A. Johnson, illustrating how the many different languages spoken throughout New York City are represented along each subway line.

• The first thing to know before you set out on your journey is whether you are going uptown or downtown. In a lot of subway stations, there is a different entrance for uptown travel and downtown travel.
• The next key element to know is if your stop is on a local or an express train. Many newcomers to the city will inevitably, at one point or another, get on an express train and watch with dismay as their preferred stop whizzes past. Look on a subway map and you will notice that white circles denote express stops, while black circles indicate local stops.
• When arriving at your designated station, it also helps to know where you are heading above ground so that you take the correct exit. For example, if you need to go southeast to reach your end point, you would take the southeast exit from the subway station, depositing you in the correct location to continue your journey on foot. This shaves off at least a few minutes rather than taking the wrong exit, and then having to navigate across the street; time saved is key to any New Yorker’s daily commute.

Buses

I love getting the bus. Admittedly, it is a slower mode of transport, but if you are not in a rush it is a good way to learn the city layout when you first arrive. Pay attention to which bus you are getting on; if it is a Select Bus then it operates as rapid transit, meaning it will not stop at every bus stop on the route. All buses generally have great air conditioning, so I really try and use this method of transportation during the summer months so that I can stay cool and watch the world go by.

Ferry

If you live in New Jersey, Long Island, Staten Island, or some parts of Brooklyn, then water transportation is a great, and very scenic way to get to and from Manhattan. Though it might be a more expensive travel option, it is perhaps the most enjoyable. And remember that the Staten Island Ferry is free! A lot of tourists, rather than paying an expensive boat operator, use the Staten Island Ferry as an alternative to see that famous New York skyline.

Cycling

For those commuters who want to travel under their own steam, but not on foot, cycling is a good option. It goes without saying that you need to be safe, so keep a good look out, follow the rules of the roads, and always wear a helmet. If you don’t own your own bike, then consider using New York’s bike share system, Citi Bike, which offers bicycles at docking stations around the city. You can pick up a bike at one station and return it to any other station in the network, so it’s a perfect option for one-way trips. Not only are you doing your bit for the environment, but you are also getting some exercise – both good things in my book.

Commuter vans

Commuter vans – or “dollar vans” as they are unofficially called – provide cheap and cheerful shared rides to residents living in areas that are not well-served (if served at all) by public transport. Prompted by a transit strike in 1980, entrepreneurial residents began using their own vehicles to ferry people to their destinations. There was so much demand, that the service kept on running and today operates across Queens, Brooklyn, and New Jersey. Fares vary from around $2 to $6 depending on where you are going.

If at first you don’t succeed…

Simply raise your hand on any street corner, and your chariot awaits! The yellow taxi cab is one of New York’s most prolific modes of transport — easy to spot owing to their high-visibility color!  If you are running out of other alternatives, hailing a cab can often be the path of least resistance. It might not be as cost effective as the subway, but it is probably one of the most efficient ways of navigating the city. I remember a day when I was waiting for the non-arriving bus and running late. I flagged down a cab and was at my destination within 15 minutes, and on time. Yes, it cost me a few extra dollars, but for peace of mind it was the best option. Being a staunch supporter of the yellow taxi cab, I do not use services such as Uber, Lyft, or Via, but they are becoming more and more popular among the smartphone-wielding public.

“People who want to understand democracy should spend less time in the library with Aristotle and more time on the buses and in the subway.”  Simeon Strunsky – American writer