NYC Subway, the worst in the world ? (New York, York: trains, land)

[Fred314X]

One of the great things about the elevated lines around New York City is that they were NOT constructed along isolated, private rights-of-way. They rumble right through the city (or, in the case of the #7 line where it runs in Long Island City, snake. I love that big, sweeping S-curve right through the industrial district!). Actually, most of them went up prior to urbanization, so what happened was that the city encroached on the transit lines.

In either case, after the A to the Rockaways, my second favorite el ride is on the J. I'm endlessly fascinated by the cityscape. And the view from the Williamsburgh Bridge doesn't get as much hype as the view from the Brooklyn Bridge, but it's just as spectacular.

[Rachael84]

I know the elevated lines were meant to be that way because of the topography of certain areas. But how come the 4 is underground for 2 stops in the Bronx, then goes elevated? You would think it would stay underground or elevated.

[Fred314X]

Originally Posted by Rachael84

I know the elevated lines were meant to be that way because of the topography of certain areas. But how come the 4 is underground for 2 stops in the Bronx, then goes elevated? You would think it would stay underground or elevated.

The Lexington Avenue subway (that's the Manhattan part of the #4 route) connected to what was originally the Bronx portion of the 9th Avenue el, which came into that borough at 167th Street. So the subway connection required those first two stops in The Bronx.

If you ride the #4 in The Bronx, you can still see the spur where the 9th Avenue line turned off, just above the 161st Street station. A little elevated trivia there.

[JesseJB]

Kinda off topic, but I'm visiting from Seattle and I'm taking the D train via the E from Jamaica during rush hour tomorrow from JFK. Im meeting friends in Harlem and they are telling me its 6 hours by subway and to take a cab or Super Shuttle. But MTA says its 1.5 hour subway ride and Im buying a weekly pass anyways for the weekend.

Are they Mod cut: languageor should I shell out extra $$$ and take the shuttle?

[009]

Originally Posted by JesseJB

Are they Mod cut: language

Yes.

Originally Posted by JesseJB

or should I shell out extra $$$ and take the shuttle?

Can't go wrong either way.

[JesseJB]

I'll take your word for it and do the subway. Thanks!

[Fred314X]

Originally Posted by JesseJB

I'll take your word for it and do the subway. Thanks!

There's no such thing as a six-hour subway ride from any given point to any other in New York. Anyone who tells you something like that either A) needs to get a new wristwatch, or B) had something unauthorized in their morning coffee.

[Rachael84]

Originally Posted by Fred314X

Anyone who tells you something like that either A) needs to get a new wristwatch, or B) had something unauthorized in their morning coffee.

LOL good way to put it, funny.

[SilkCity0416]

A 6 hour subway ride! Mod cut: language lol. Man, they're pulling your leg. The longest subway ride in the city will most likely be the Rockaway Park A. Even that will take you about 2 hours from start to finish.

[Lital_The_Best]

LISTEN. There's a lot of things I can crap on about NYC, however NYC's subway system is definitely not the worst in the world. Try going to Rome or India and then you can talk about decrepit and bad subway systems.

I've been to better and cleaner and more efficient subways (Tokyo) but NYC's subways are still great and I honestly don't have too many problems with it besides the raising of the rates. Getting from the tip of the Bronx to the end of Brooklyn with only 2 dollars doesn't sound like a bad deal at all to me.

NYC's subway system is not the worst in the world by any means. I love riding the train here.