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New York City Subways

MTA Subway System – Serves Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island through MTA Staten Island Railway. Its over 6,200 cars serve an annual ridership now exceeding 1,500,000,000 (yes, billion!) riders year which is just behind Tokyo, Moscow and Seoul in total annual riders. Subway service runs 24 hours every day. Though it is known as "the subway", implying underground operations, about 40% of the system runs on above-ground tracks (the system is almost entirely underground in Manhattan, as well as portions in the other boroughs), including steel or cast iron elevated structures, concrete viaducts, embankments, open cuts and surface routes. All of these construction methods are completely grade-separated from road and pedestrian crossings, and most crossings of two subway tracks are grade-separated with flying junctions.

For just $2.00 you can still travel over 30 miles on the A train, which makes the New York City subway one of America's greatest travel deals. You can also travel on the nearly two dozen additional subway lines, enjoy frequent service and clean trains that serve nearly four million passengers on an average weekday! Up to three children 44 inches tall and under ride for free on subways and local buses when accompanied by a fare paying adult. Infants (under two years of age) ride express buses free if the child sits on the lap of the accompanying adult.

Since the introduction of Metrocard (a thin plastic card used to pay for bus and subway fares in New York City) several years ago, you can now transfer free between buses and subways as well as enjoy economical day, week and month passes. The minimum cost for a Metrocard is $4. Note that farecard machines are conveniently located in many stations, and that many newsstands sell them as well. $4 day passes are available ONLY from farecard machines. In addition, various reduced-fare fares apply for elderly and handicapped residents of New York, and the subway system also serves disabled passengers and those with special needs. Not all subway stations are accessible to people with disabilities.

Free bus and subway maps are free at any subway station token booth or view the map and station information online. Inside every subway station you'll also find a large wall-sized subway map and detailed neighborhood map as well. If you take the subway late at night, the transit authority recommends waiting in the marked yellow Off-Hours Waiting Area, which is generally located right near the station's staffed token booth.

If you're traveling to or from JFK airport, the Airtrain stops at all JFK terminals and connects with the A subway line at Howard Beach and E/J/Z subway lines at Jamaica.

A note on taking pictures: Although photography is not forbidden in the subway (a proposal to ban photography was defeated in 2005), do use good judgment when taking pictures. For example, taking pictures of token booths or more sensitive equipment is probably not a good idea.

To obtain maps or more information, including construction affecting accessible stations, call (718) 596-8585 or (718) 596-8273. Customer Service representatives are available 24 hours a day to help plan your trip.

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