How Does
How Does New York City Public Transportation Work?
Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
Metropolitan Trasit Authority (MTA)
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MTA Logo
The Metropolitan Transit Authority is the company that runs New York City's public transportation system, including subways, buses and commuter trains. MTA's 2008 budget was $10.8 billion. About 8,505,966 people use New York City's public transportation on an average weekday. MTA employs 69,117 people to control the 5,960 miles of rail and bus routes.
Public Buses
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MTA Bus
Buses have been in service since 1905. They run in all five boroughs of New York on hundreds of routes. Fare for the bus is $2 and is payable with a MetroCard or exact change in cash. The bus stops are located on street corners with a tall pole with a picture of a bus on it. Some poles has a picture of the route the bus takes. The buses are labeled and have an electronic sign above the driver's window that shows the final stop. Passengers push the yellow tape or stop button if their stop is next. This signals the bus driver that passengers need to get off.
Subway System
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Subway Station
New York's subways began operation in 1904. They run 24 hours a day in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens. Staten Island is serviced by the Staten Island Railway. The fare to ride the subway is $2, payable with a MetroCard. Transfers are free. Once the MetroCard is swiped, a person goes through a turnstile to get to the station. A free subway map is available at any station booth, and maps are on the walls of the stations. Routes are identifiable by numbers and letters.
Railroad
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Long Island Rail Service
The Long Island Railroad and Metro-North Railroad are the nation's two largest commuter railroads. They transport an average of 578,318 passengers on any given weekday. A MetroCard cannot be used for the railroads, and a ticket must be purchased at the station or, for a bit more, right on the train. The fare is determined by the destination. There are different routes and maps are available at the stations.
eHow Article: How Does New York City Public Transportation Work?
