The latest issue of Time Out New York has a great cover story this week on ruling the subways. Personally, I’m kicking myself over this one right now. TONY writers contacted me two weeks ago right when I was in the middle of re-hosting Second Ave. Sagas, and I dropped the ball on getting back to them.
So since I want to opine on these questions, I’ll do it here. So presented for your approval is the Second Ave. Sagas’ Guide to Ruling the Subway. That’ll really teach, um, me not to delay these things. All your subway questions are answered after the jump.
HOW DO I LINE UP MY EXIT?
Know before you go. That’s my secret. If you’re traveling to a destination within the borough of Manhattan, the NYC Subway Google Map Hack at OnNYTurf is an invaluable resources. At the highest level of zoom, the stations come complete with the stairway diagrams. You can literally plan out your place on the train before you go. Otherwise, use common sense. The front of the train heading uptown will always end up at a higher numbered street than the back and vice versa for downtown.
WHERE WILL THE DOORS OPEN?
The platforms tell all. While the TONY guide says to look for black scuff marks, I say look for general signs of wear and tear. The ridged bumps may be a little worn down at some stations; at others — and I’m thinking 7th Ave. on the F in Brooklyn as a prime example — the very edge of the platform may look a little more dilapidated than the rest of it. Subtle clues can help, and at stations with express and local trains, the doors usually open at the same place on both sides of the platform.
WHEN WILL THE TRAIN COME?
As soon as you take out your book or magazine and start reading. Obviously. Trains also come faster if you peer into the tunnel looking for them. That action is not in vain. Really.
WHERE ARE CLEAN CARS?
.
For this question, I disagree with Time Out’s response. They claim that the numbered cars — particularly the new trains running on the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 lines — are much cleaner than those cars running on the lettered lines. But I’d say the N’s shiny new R160s are the cleanest cars on the line. Those R142s running on the IRT lines (numbers) aren’t looking too clean these days. While still a bit sterile, the floors are showing a few years’ use. With even more new cars set to hit the Q line, the Broadway BMT trains may have the cleanest in the system.
HOW CAN I RIDE FREE?
There’s no such thing as a free lunch or subway ride in New York City. Get used to it, buster. Jumping the turnstile or otherwise evading the fare could net you a $60 ticket. Ask yourself — or Tigers first base coach Andy Van Slyke — if it’s really worth it.
WHAT’S THE BEST STATION?
Personally, I’m a fan of the 14th St. station at 8th Ave. While I may be biased since I use it every day, this station has ample exits at 14th, 15th and 16th Sts. It features numerous staircases, a few elevators (!) and a wide-open concourse on the mezzanine level with one of the subway system’s better newstands. It rarely seems crowded despite the number of people heading to and from work, Chelsea and the Meatpacking District. The worst has got to be Herald Square. Try navigating that disaster at rush hour.
WHAT IS THE BEST LINE?
From Far Rockaway to JFK Airport through Brooklyn and up to Inwood, nothing beats the A train. Plus, the Billy Strayhorn song that steals the train name for its title is a memorable musical ride through the subways.
WHAT’S UP WITH FARE HIKES?
Well, gee, why not just start with these 27 posts of mine about the hike and then ask me that question?
HOW CAN I GET A SEAT?
Sexual favors generally work pretty well. In all seriousness, know your train routes. A lot of people get off the Manhattan-bound B and Q trains at DeKalb Ave. in the morning. A ton of riders depart the East Side trains at Grand Central. Wait for the right moment and then pounce. I’d also recommended sticking close to the first or last cars of the train. People — for reasons unknown — tend to gravitate to the middle of the cars. There are often seats aplenty in the back on trains that appear packed up front.
It’s 4am—what to do?
Take a cab or crash on a coach. It’s just not worth it to suffer through an interminable wait at that hour.
Thumbnail image of the KickMap from TONY. They call that map the subway map of the future. You can read my take on the Kickmap from August.
4 comments
“If I feel safter riding in the center car with the conductor, how can I be sure I’ll find that car & the door closest to the conductor’s position?”
– Look for the “Zebra Boards”, long narrow black&white boards facing the tracks above the edge of platform at the center of the platform, where the conductor is positioned(note that the conductor ALWAYS points to the zebra board when opening the doors. Guess why).
“What if I enjoy the thrill of potential danger & incipient criminality?”
– Remember Goetz’s Rule: If you’re looking for trouble, you’re most likely to find it in the last car of the train.
The A train runs to Inwood (almost on both ends, as Inwood is both a neighborhood on the northern tip of Manhattan and a village in Long Island just past Far Rockaway). Midwood, however, is in Brooklyn and not anywhere near the A train.
Also, for the 4am drunk riders: If in Manhattan or if reasonable, walk to the line that takes you all the way home, then wait for the train there. NEVER transfer late at night. I find drunk walking late at night to be easier and faster than waiting.
The secret to Herald’s Square is to enter and exit at 32nd St. It’s crowded, yes, but mostly with commuters who know their ways around rather than tourists who get to the stop of a stairway and stop abruptly. Also, the 32nd St. entrances take you very quickly to the tracks, whereas the ones at 34th St. make you traverse a maze of ramps, stairways, and escalators.
The only problem with 32nd is that you also get a glimpse of the shiny, (relatively) clean, well-lit Path station, which makes the subway seem particularly grimy and poorly planned in comparison.
“People — for reasons unknown — tend to gravitate to the middle of the cars.”
Maybe because they’re trying to “line up the exit”? I value seating area a lot more highly than avoiding a short walk at my destination, so I walk to wherever I think there will be the most room. On a Manhattan-bound L train in the morning, it’s the 2nd and 3rd cars from the front.