NYC Subways: To be or not to be (on the local train)
The NYC subway is crowded, dirty, old, rodent infested, the list goes on. But it is, undoubtedly, the best and most efficient way to get around New York City. Every weekday, over 5 million people take to the underground to avoid ever rising cab fare, weather, tourists and traffic. Patrons include corporate CEO’s, the homeless, tourists, hipsters, students, everyone!!!! Even Bloomberg himself takes the subway… kinda. The MTA gives you a great map to help you get around and most lines within Manhattan have at least one express train to help New Yorkers get to where they need to go faster.
The one thing that the MTA doesn’t give you are rules to live by for using the subways. After years of riding the subways to work, meetups, coffee shop meetings, and restaurants, I’ve come up with a few simple guidelines for choosing whether to wait for the next express train or jump on the local train The one kicker is that due to the inherent uncertainty that comes with waiting for a New York subway train, it takes some discipline to over come the temptation to just get on the next train and not follow these guidelines; especially after a long day at work when you just want to get home.
So here are my guidelines for when you are faced with the choice between the express train and local train:
1. No-brainer: If you get to the platform and there’s an available express train or the next train that arrives is an express, jump on it.
2. If you actually physically saw the last express train leave as you’re racing down the stairs, or if it’s rush hour and the side of the platform for express trains is just about empty, GET ON THE NEXT local train! Don’t hesitate thinking you’re going to outrun this local with the next express. That almost never happens!
3. If you think or know that it’s been a little while since the last express train and you’ve missed the local that came after the last express, DO NOT get on the next local!!! This is crucial. Resist the temptation to get on “the next train”. Wait for the next express train. If you get on the next local, you WILL find yourself stopped at the next stop looking out the window at the express train flying by with thousands of happy faces (if it’s not going too fast for you to see them) while you’re stuck between Harry, the smelly bum, and Leopold, the hipster from Williamsburg (no offense, I have much love for the hipsters, just saying!).
- This one comes with only one single exception: Get on the local if, and only if, you’ve been privy to information that the express line has some unusual delays.
So there you have it, my rules for choosing between local and express!
Disclaimer: I have zero scientific, mathematical, or statistical data to back up these guidelines. These come strictly from my frustrations, boredom, and obsession with trying to be more efficient in everything I do. If you agree, disagree, have your own guidelines that you follow or anything to add to this, PLEASE comment below!
ONE FINAL REQUEST. If you have any tricks that help you come out of the subway less sweaty and gross on your way to the office in the morning, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE share below, send me an @ mention on twitter to @gboruk, or e-mail me at gboruk@gmail.com. I beg you!
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