Public Transportation is an effective and efficient means for better mobility on Long Island’s roadways because it transports so many people at one time. This in turn alleviates traffic congestion and reduces hours of delay. Public transportation also allows you to work on projects, read a book, or catch a nap.

Buses
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
Long Island Bus
(516) 228-4000

Suffolk County Transit (SCT)
The Suffolk Clipper
(631) 852-5200

NYC’s 3,700 buses operate throughout the five boroughs on more than 200 routes. You are usually within a few blocks of a bus stop.

It costs $2 per ride, no matter the distance. You can pay your fare with a MetroCard, a token, or exact change in coins. The driver does not give change and fare boxes do not accept dollar bills or pennies. A MetroCard can save you money on multiple rides. Options include the $7 one-day Fun Pass; the 7- ($24) and 30-day ($76) unlimited ride cards; and a pay-per-ride card ($10 for 6 rides, $20 for 12 rides, but you may put any amount onto a MetroCard).

Bus stops have a tall, round sign with a bus emblem and route number; some have bus shelters. Most also include a “Guide-A-Ride,” which is a rectangular box attached to the bus sign pole that displays a route map and bus schedule.

Subways
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
(718) 330-1234

Subways are a fast, easy, and inexpensive way to get around the city. Trains run 24 hours a day, with waiting time between trains normally just a few minutes, depending on the time of day. The 714-mile New York City subway system has 468 stations serving 24 routes – more than any other system in the world. It operates 24 hours a day, is safe, and is used daily by more than 3.5 million people.

Subway entrances in New York are usually found on street corners, marked with a staircase descending to the station. The stop will have a large green ball outside (indicating a booth inside where you can buy tokens or MetroCards) or red ball (no token booth inside; you must have fare available to enter).

Taxi

New York City taxis are yellow and may be hailed on the street or found at taxi stands at major hotels and transportation hubs.  Taxis have meters. The total cost depends on the distance traveled and time spent in the cab. Taxi fares are $2.50 for the first 1/3 mile, then 40¢ each 1/5 of a mile thereafter, and 40¢ per 120 seconds when cab is not moving.  Try to hail a taxi in the direction you would like to travel; this saves time (and money) going around a block.

Train

New York City has two main rail stations, Grand Central Terminal and Pennsylvania Station. Grand Central is on the East Side, in midtown, and Penn Station is on the West Side, just below midtown.

Grand Central Terminal
42nd Street and Park Avenue (between Lexington and Vanderbilt Avenues)
(212) 532-4900
www.grandcentralterminal.com

Pennsylvania Station (Penn Station)
31-33rd Streets between Seventh and Eighth Avenues

Rail Links

Amtrak
(800) 872-7245
(212) 630-6400
www.amtrak.com

Amtrak is the country’s national passenger railroad. It operates seven days a week, with destinations throughout the United States. Many packages and special deals are available. Rail passes are available for international visitors.

Long Island Railroad (LIRR)
Nassau: (631) 822-5477
Suffolk: (631) 231-5477
www.mta.info

Metro-North Railroad
(212) 532-4900
(800) METRO-INFO
www.mta.info

Currently the second-largest commuter line in the United States, Metro-North operates from Grand Central Terminal to 119 stations in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

New Jersey Transit
(973) 762-5100
(800) 772-2222
www.njtransit.com

Frequent rail service throughout New Jersey into and out of New York City.

PATH (Port Authority Trans Hudson)
(201) 216-2677
(800) 234-7284
www.panynj.gov

Rapid transit among several stops in New York City and Newark, Harrison, Jersey City, and Hoboken, in New Jersey. Operates round trip from Newark, NJ’s Penn Station to lower and midtown Manhattan (including New York’s Penn Station); connections from Newark Airport. PATH’s 33rd Street Station (on 6th Avenue, in Herald Square) in Manhattan is one block from Amtrak trains at NY’s Penn Station.