Educational Housing Services

Like taxis, buses are a good way to get around parts of Manhattan that are not close to subway lines. Some folks use buses as a way to tour through various parts of the city and get a true New York City experience. Buses are cheaper than taxis and you can ride them with the same MetroCard you use to ride the subway or with change (no pennies). Here are some tips to navigating the bus system during your internship in New York City:

• Each fare is $2.00 and if you ride a bus on a MetroCard you can then use the same fare if you transfer to a subway - but while you can ask for a "bus transfer" card if you pay your bus fare in change, you cannot transfer from bus to subway on the same fare, so carry a MetroCard!
• You can get on a bus at any designated stop, simply put your arm out as the bus approaches to let the driver know you want to get a ride.
• You’ll pay as you enter the bus and then take a seat whenever you find one open.
• To request a stop, push a "stop" button or the yellow tape and the "Stop Requested" light will come on.
• Exit through the rear doors once the bus stops moving. Before you get on, be sure to note whether the bus is a local or express, as express buses only stop at designated spots.
• You can always ask the driver about the bus’s destination if you are unsure, otherwise you might end up in a part of town you didn’t intend to visit.

Taxis are an easy and fast way to get around the city and are especially useful in parts of Manhattan that are far from the subway. It’s not as reliable as the subway, however, as occasionally you’ll have to deal with traffic jams.  Here are some tips from Educational Housing Services:

• Yellow taxis are more common in Manhattan than in Brooklyn, so if you are staying at one of our Brooklyn Heights locations, ask your RA for the number to a few local car services: these are licensed town-car style livery cabs that are often cheaper than a yellow cab - just make sure you ask the dispatcher how much the fare will be when you order a car to pick you up.
• Some first time visitors wonder what the trick is to hailing a yellow cab, but there’s no secret. Look for the yellow cabs with their numbers lit (which means it’s available), and stick out your arm, wave it around and maybe throw a whistle in for good measure.
• One thing to keep in mind is that cabs only took cash until recently; now almost all yellow cabs have credit card machines in the passenger section, but the driver might be reticent to let you use it (the credit card reader company takes 5% of every fare paid via credit card).
• Drivers often can’t make change for bigger bills, so bring the appropriate amount. It’s also standard to add a 15-20% tip onto the fare shown on the meter when you reach your destination (or, with a car service, add a tip to the agreed-upon fare).
• Lastly, keep in mind that cabs can only carry four people at a time, so if you are with a larger group, you’ll need several taxis to get you to your destination.

The subway is one the easiest, safest and fastest ways to get around the city. For many people it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out how to get where you want to go the first time you step into the subway terminal. Here are a few suggestions from Educational Housing Services to help make the process as smooth as possible and get you where you want to go:

• The entrances to the underground stations are usually found on street corners, and are well marked.
• Be sure to note if the sign has a green or red ball, green means you can purchase the MetroCard pass needed to ride the subway, red means you need to already have one.
• Once inside, you’ll want to check out the maps, they are very helpful and show a concise and clear picture of your location relative the streets and subway lines in the city.
• All lines are divided into uptown (North and the Bronx or Queens) or downtown (South and Brooklyn or Queens) as well as marked by their final destination (most originate in Brooklyn or Queen and end in the Bronx or Queens, though some originate in Manhattan).
• Make sure you know which way you want to go, after you swipe your card you’ll find it very difficult to get a refund if you’ve entered the wrong terminal.
• Train etiquette dictates common courtesy. If you can’t find a seat, hold onto the poles, but leave room for others to do so as well - don't lean against a pole or door. Giving up your seat for elderly folks is a kind gesture that won't go unappreciated.
• If you have several bags, try to keep them in as small an area as possible, the trains can be very crowded at times and you don’t want to be a space hog.
• When waiting for a train, don’t stand in front of the doors. Instead, wait off to the side for the passengers to unload and then make your way into the cars.
• In the unlikely event of an emergency, don’t try to get out and walk down the tunnel. Stay put and the situation will most likely be resolved shortly.