How to Ride the Subway Safely in New York City

As we have all seen from the movies, subways are prime locations for people to get mugged. Watching the news these days does not help confidence much either. It is funny, then, to read that the most common subway problems come from slips, trips and falls on the stairs, which occur because people are so often in a rush. Here are ways to ride the subway safely.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• MetroCard

1. Entrances to subway stations are located on almost every street corner. Signs point to the entrances.

2. Buy a MetroCard. MetroCards are available from subway station clerks and in groceries, drugstores and cigarette stands. Look for a sign in the window that says MetroCards. The MetroCard allows you to get on and off the subway all day.

3. Locate the subway map in the station. Usually a neighborhood map is nearby that shows the local streets in detail. Remember these neighborhood maps if you get lost wandering on foot.

4. Check before you swipe your MetroCard! Uptown and downtown trains have separate entrances. Ask an attendant for help if you are unsure where to enter.

5. Enter the train car only after the doors are fully open. The doors are not designed to reopen if you stick your arm in, the way elevator doors are. Also make sure all your articles are clear of the train doors.

6. Head to the middle of the train car when it is full. This will make room for other passengers trying to get on or off.

7. Hold on to a pole if you are unable to find an empty seat. It is difficult to stay steady when the trains are starting and stopping. You can easily lose your balance if you are not holding on firmly.

8. Place your bags in your lap, if sitting, or at your feet, if standing. They should not block the path of other passengers.

9. Listen for your station stop. Gather your belongings and be prepared to exit the train car.

Tips & Warnings

• Always keep your wallet, train ticket and valuables in your front pockets. It is much harder to steal from in front of you than from behind.
• Be alert to your surroundings at all times.
• Stay in the more populated areas of the subway station in the evening hours.
• After 7 p.m., ride in the first train car.
• Do not fall asleep on the train.
• Move carefully on the stairs and platforms. Hold the handrail.
• If traveling with young children, always hold their hand getting on and off the train car. If traveling with a stroller, close it before boarding and hold the child in your lap.
• Pull the Emergency cord only to prevent an accident or injury.
• Always stand behind the yellow line, away from the platform edge.
• No matter what happens, stay off the tracks! If you drop something on the tracks, immediately tell an attendant. The tracks carry 600 volts of electricity.

Resources

• Find everything you need at MTA NYC Transit.