How to Ride a Light Rail Public Transportation/Transit System

LYNX Light Rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina

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Light Rail is becoming more popular in many urban regions around the world. It is generally lower capacity than heavy rail transit systems. Light rail often operates at street level with traffic in center cities (similar to a street car or tram), but on dedicated and separated rail lines outside of the central city into suburban and commuter areas.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Ticket

Step1

Arrive at the station. If you are commuting into the central city from the suburbs you can park your car in a commuter parking lot at a suburban light rail station, or take a bus to the station.

Step2

The station should have a system map to help you determine your destination station and whether or not you must change to a different train or line at some point along the journey.

Step3

Purchase a ticket. Many light rail systems operate on the honor system with no turnstiles to board a train and with random ticket checks aboard trains by system employees. Many stations have self-service automated ticket machines with touch screens. For some systems, the ticket cost is a flat rate for a one-way or a round trip ticket. For other systems your destination (and therefore the distance you are traveling on the system) will determine the cost of your fare. Follow the on screen prompts to purchase the correct ticket based on your travel needs (one-way, round trip, specific station destination, multiple tickets or transit pass for a certain time period, etc.).

Step4

When the train arrives, board the train, find a seat or stand and hold on to a support. As the train travels, announcements will be made automatically or by the driver as to what station the train will be stopping at next. Pay attention to each station the train is stopped at so that you will not miss your destination station.

Tips & Warnings

When you know the train is approaching your destination station or stop, move close to the train door so you may quickly exit.
Do not step off the station platform onto the rail and track.