If I click on 51st & Lex here, I’m asked to choose the E, M or 6 line. I choose the 6 line and in the “subway transfers” column for 51st Street it lists E, M & 4.
The 4 is in a transparent circle which I take to mean part-time (i.e. not during rush hour). So why, when I click on 51st & Lex, doesn’t it show a 4 in a transparent circle along with E, M & 6? To me this says I can transfer to the 4 there but I can’t just get on it there. That doesn’t make sense to me.
This is my home subway stop so let me give you the dope. The #4 does not stop there unless it is late at night or the wee hours of the morning. When it does stop, it runs local all along the line, just like the #6.
I did not click your links, but I understand what you’re asking and my guess is that the site you’re using was programmed incorrectly.
This isn’t an answer to the question - but if you’re going downtown it really doesn’t matter. You get on the first train and then do an across-the-platform transfer to the express train (assuming it’s running).
If you’re going to the Bronx then it might - but only a regular commuter could offer an opinion about whether it makes sense to transfer to the 6 -> 4/5 at 51st or to transfer to the B/D at Rock. My first guess would be the B/D at Rock, cuz that 6 -> 4/5 transfer at 59th is a PITA and it doesn’t get much better at 86th.
No, you can transfer there – when that line is running there. Which is only sometimes. hence the open circle. Anything in a solid circle is always running at that station, and thus, always available for transfer.
Exact departure and arrivals points are somewhat hypothetical at this point. I’ll be making my first trip to NYC in July and I want to have an understanding of how to read the maps. Having never actually been in a subway it’s hard to picture things. When you say, “You get on the first train and then do an across-the-platform transfer to the express train (assuming it’s running).”, am I doing the across-the-platform transfer at the same stop or at a different stop?
On weekdays, what time does commuter traffic slow down to where the trains won’t be so crowded? I’ve read up on subway etiquette and would like to stay out of the way of commuters but I’m an early riser so I’ll probably want to get going as soon as there’s anything open worth going to.
stuyguy, can you recommend a place for 1) A reasonably priced sit down breakfast and 2) a reasonably priced place for a morning pastry and a beverage that’s really close to 51st & Madison Ave?
it’s the same stop, just the other side of the platform.
rush hour is a crapshoot–at certain stops, you’ll never get a seat (the A in the village for example is often crowded day and night) and other stops (near the beginning of some line, like the E at the WTC stop) you can get a seat anytime.
All Manhattan diners have similar prices and all of them seem to have the same menu. (Split Pea on Tuesday, iirc).
Some are better than others…
You don’t learn subway etiquette by reading a book. You learn it by doing and you probably will annoy the straphangers. I’ll help you. Don’t talk and don’t lean on anything and try to stay out of the way.
If you’re traveling outside rush hour then it’s highly likely that you will encounter service changes. New Yorkers are infamously eager to assist if you have subway questions.
My guess would be the 90% of visitors would make out better with a pay-per-ride Metrocard than they do with the unlimited ride card. You also will probably want to consider simply walking more often than not.
The M has recently been rerouted via the IND 5th Ave line as part of the recent service [del]cuts[/del] changes, and hence changed colors from brown to orange.
Thanks. I’d read about service changes but didn’t know they were as common as that. I’ll be on the alert for them. Maybe if I learn how to read the subway map and understand some of the lingo I can find an alternate route myself. Or at least understand what I’m being told.
Thanks. I’ve been trying to decide whether to go pay-per-ride or 7 day unlimited. There are things I want to do that aren’t practical for me to walk to and I don’t want to blow all my spending money on cabs. Did I read somewhere that my sister and I can have one card between us and one can pass it back to the other after going through the turnstile? Or is that annoying?
Things I’ve learned about etiquette/safety from reading:
Stand left/walk right.
Let people off the trains before getting on (but I knew that because I ride elevators daily)
If there’s one empty seat there might be a reason it’s empty. Check your seat.
Ditto if there’s one empty car.
Don’t get on an empty car at night. Get on the car the conductor’s in.
Ask the station agent.
Don’t talk to people.
Assuming you mean escalators it’s Stand RIGHT/Walk LEFT but that will be obvious once you see it in action (which is increasingly rare these days, unfortunately).
Pay-Per-Ride Metro cards can be used multiple times at the same station. Unlimited ride MetroCards have a ~15 minute delay before they can be used again.
You can talk to people if you have a question. The vast majority of New Yorkers are helpful with directions and advice. Just don’t address people in idle chitchat.
I think you are confusing yourself looking at the route listings for each line. The official subway map is posted in every station and in most cars on the subway. You can also get one for free from a station kiosk.
Bear in mind it is very stylized and not to scale. For a look at the subway map, overlaid onto a accurate and searchable geographical map of NYC, use the website www.onnyturf.com
You can also check out www.hopstop.com for detailed walking directions that include public transit.
I’m just trying to get a handle on how it all works before I get there. I get very anxious over things like airports and buses and trains so I need to get a level of comfort, and I understand the line maps now. I appreciate everyone’s help.
I’ve looked at this before but didn’t realize it’s interactive. I’m going to look at it some more. Thank you.
HopStop is helpful but, again, I still want to understand the basics.
Do these decals still exist? Will I get mowed over if I stop to orient myself at one?
They’re around in a few places but they’re not terribly common.
Helpful hint: when exiting (for example) a northbound train, keep the direction that the train was going in mind as you go up the stairs (which will often have a 90-degree turn or two) so that when you get to the street you remember which way is north and can orient yourself.
At unfamiliar stations, I do this by discretely keeping my finger pointed in the direction of the train. My secret shame.
You can also make a note of the direction of one-way traffic on the avenues, this will get you instantly oriented when you exit the subway, in Manhattan anyway.