Public transportation
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) – New York City Transit (Tel: (718) 330 12 34. www.mta.nyc.ny.us), which offers cheaper and more efficient services than that, is responsible for public transport in New York many private companies that also exist. The New York Subway (subway) is fast, air-conditioned, extremely cheap and much safer than expected (however, you should avoid it at night if possible). The system, consisting of almost 500 stations and 27 routes, color-coded or numbered, is more extensive than any other in the world and transports passengers across Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. You can get to Staten Island around the clock on the Staten Island Railway (Tel: (718) 966-SIRT). You can also use your subway token or MetroCard for a flat fee. During peak times, trains run every 5 minutes, otherwise every 5-10 minutes, between 00:00 and 05:00 every 20 minutes.
There are numerous buses, Stops are every two to three blocks on the street corners. You can pay for a trip with your MetroCard, underground token or precisely counted change. Buses run around the clock.
There are three different MetroCard passes. Unlimited Ride MetroCards are valid for 7 or 30 days until midnight on the last day. With the Pay-Per-Ride Metrocards you can take 12 trips for the price of 10 and transfers to bus and subway connections are free within two hours. The rechargeable EasyPayXpress card (as a pay-per-ride or 30-day option) is even more convenient for the user. All passes can be bought at subway stations and newsagents.
Note : The OMNY ticket system will be introduced for the entire public transport system (Metro, Metro North, Long Island Railroad and buses) by 2021. However, the OMNY cards will not completely replace the MetroCard until 2023.
Taxis
A trip to New York would not be complete without a trip in one of the famous yellow cabs. Taxis and limousines are managed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission(Tel: (311) TLC). Taxi drivers must take their passengers to any destination within the five boroughs of New York, as well as Nassau County, Westchester County and Newark Airport. Travel costs within the city of New York appear on the taximeter at the end of the journey, plus any toll fees and a tip of 10-15%. A trip costs a basic fee, plus a price per 1/5 mile or 90 seconds waiting time. A surcharge applies for trips between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. If there are any problems while driving, write down the driver’s six-digit registration number, which is located on the roof of the taxi, on the outside of both front doors, on the dashboard and on the receipt, and then report to the Taxi and Limousine Commissiondo.
New York Water Taxi , represented in the German-speaking market by the Cologne agency Get It Across Marketing , offers tours to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island or the Brooklyn Bridge as well as a two-day hop-on hop-off ticket.
Driving in the city
Anyone driving a car in Manhattan needs extremely strong nerves. Visitors who are not familiar with the city are advised not to drive a car. Traffic is hellish, parking fees are exorbitant and you can’t park on the street at all. The business and entertainment districts in particular are constantly congested, and fast driving can quickly unsettle you. You should never park on the side of the road because there are strict rules and there is a high risk of break-ins. In addition, a city toll is to be introduced for Manhattan by the end of 2021 at the latest. Information on parking options at www.citidex.com/696.htm.
Car rental
If you want to drive a car in New York, you need a valid national driver’s license; some car rental companies even require an international driver’s license. Liability insurance must be taken out and the driver must be at least 25 years old.
The best known car rental companies include:
Avis ;
Budget ;
Hertz ;
National and
Sixt.
Bicycle rental
Many New Yorkers defy bicycle traffic, but tourists should avoid this form of transportation. In the parks, on the other hand, cycling is a pleasure. Central Park Bicycle Tours / Rentals (Tel: (212) 541 87 59. www.centralparkbiketour.com) rent bicycles. There is also a leisurely, 2-hour guided tour of Central Park.
