New York City is a cultural and economic powerhouse in the United States. The Greater New York area boasts over 20 million residents, and the headquarters of 10% of Fortune 500 companies. But with the city’s dense urban landscape and bordering rivers, efficient and sustainable transportation solutions are a must. Fortunately, NYC’s transportation network is robust. The MTA’s subway and bus systems form the core of the transportation system, well-accompanied by other buses, trains, ferries, scooters, bikes, and ride-share services.
This guide explores the variety of commuting and travel options available in New York City, as displayed on live transportation screens like Actionfigure® Screen.
Learn more about New York City’s transportation options, shown on digital displays like Actionfigure® Screen, below!
Image: Actionfigure Screen with live transportation information in New York City
MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority)
The MTA, also known as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, is the major public transportation operator serving New York City and its surrounding areas. The MTA operates an extensive array of services including subways, buses, and commuter trains, connecting all five boroughs of New York City. As the largest public transit system in the nation, the MTA serves nearly 5 million people daily.
Actionfigure Screen provides live arrival and departure information on the MTA, allowing New York City’s residents, and visitors to benefit immensely. With access to vital schedules and travel information through Actionfigure Screen, commuters can navigate the MTA’s extensive network of subways and buses for a smooth travel experience. Whether it’s commuting to work, catching a Yankees game, or simply exploring the city’s diverse offerings, the MTA is undoubtedly the most popular of transportation across New York City and the wider metropolitan area.
Subway
The MTA Subway system is the crux of New York City’s transportation and the largest in the country, facilitating the movement of millions of people daily. Essentially, the MTA Subway connects diverse communities across the five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island over 36 lines and nearly 500 stations. Accompanying the dynamic New York City lifestyle, the MTA subway offers reliable transportation for work, education, and leisure activities.
Bus
The MTA bus network is also the largest of its kind in the nation, boasting a daily ridership of nearly 2 million passengers. It operates an extensive fleet, including 234 local bus routes, 20 Select Bus Service routes, and 73 express bus routes that effectively cater to the needs of commuters, residents, and tourists. These buses ensure accessibility across New York City’s five boroughs, connecting with surrounding suburban neighborhoods and providing vital links for all their riders.
NJ Transit
NJ Transit, formally known as the New Jersey Transit Corporation, is a key public transportation system that primarily serves the state of New Jersey along with extending services into New York City and Philadelphia. As one of the largest statewide public transportation systems in the United States, NJ Transit facilitates millions of trips annually, providing vital connectivity for commuters and travelers across buses, light rails, and commuter trains.
Actionfigure Screen provides real-time information on NJ Transit buses and trains in New York City, allowing New Jersey commuters to optimize their daily journeys.
Bus
NJ Transit operates an array of bus services that connect New York City to major cities and communities in New Jersey like Newark and New Brunswick. Many of NJ Transit’s bus lines arrive and depart from the popular Port Authority Bus Terminal, allowing for a centralized experience. For the New Jersey resident commuting to New York City, the NJ Transit bus poses a viable option.
Light Rail
NJ Transit’s Light Rail system offers a convenient and efficient mode of transportation, linking key communities within New Jersey to each other and to major hubs in New York City. Serving areas such as Newark, Jersey City, and Hoboken, the Light Rail provides a quick, critical connection for residents and visitors alike.
Commuter Train
NJ Transit’s commuter train provides a direct and efficient link between New Jersey’s towns and cities and major metropolitan areas, including New York City and Philadelphia. These trains offer a lifeline for daily commuters, facilitating a seamless journey to and from work, school, and other destinations.
More Bus Options
Along with MTA and NJ Transit’s bus line, New York City offers a variety of unique bus services that connect commuters from New York City to different parts of New York and in the New York metropolitan area.
Actionfigure Screen provides real-time information on various bus options in the New York City area, including Transbridge, Downtown Connection, Westchester County Bee-line, and more!
Trains
In addition to various subway and bus options, New York City also offers different train services that span in and out of the city from the iconic New York Penn Station and Grand Central Station. These train options, from national providers like Amtrak to smaller, local services, enrich New York City’s transportation ecosystem, providing comprehensive travel solutions that span local, regional, and national needs.
Actionfigure Screen displays live arrivals and departures for New York City’s train options, including Amtrak, PATH train, LIRR, and Metro-North railroad. Whether boarding at the New York Penn Station or leaving from Grand Central Station, Actionfigure Screen keeps travelers informed on their journeys within the city and across state borders.
PATH Train (Port Authority Trans-Hudson)
The PATH train is a rapid transit system that offers a vital link between Manhattan and neighboring New Jersey cities like Newark, Harrison, Jersey City, and Hoboken. Spanning 4 routes across 13 stations, this underground railway system facilitates millions of trips for commuters and visitors beneath the Hudson River. With frequent services, the PATH train is a quick and efficient mode of crossing state lines between New York and New Jersey.
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), owned by MTA, provides an efficient connection between Long Island and major New York City terminals like Penn Station and Grand Central Station on nearly 1,000 daily trains. As the busiest commuter railroad in North America, the LIRR is integral to the daily movement of hundreds of thousands of passengers,
Metro-North Railroad
The Metro-North Railroad, also operated by MTA, connects the city from hubs like Grand Central Station to its northern suburbs and neighboring states, including Connecticut. Covering several lines and dozens of stations, this commuter rail network is essential for facilitating daily commutes, leisure travel, and everything in between for millions of passengers annually. For commuters looking for rapid transit between Manhattan and the serene landscapes of the Hudson Valley, parts of Connecticut, and beyond, the Metro-North Railroad remains a solid option.
Ferry Services
New York City’s extensive ferry services include public providers like the NYC Ferry and Staten Island Ferry, as well as private companies like NY waterways and Seastreak. These services connect various boroughs and neighborhoods across the city’s waterways, offering a peaceful alternative to the bustling city streets. For locals and tourists looking for a unique and scenic way to travel, ferries remain a budget-friendly choice.
Actionfigure Screen provides information on ferry schedules to a variety of operators, from NYC Ferry to NY Waterway. With this real-time data, travelers can easily plan their picturesque journeys along the waters of New York City’s skyline.
Scarlet Sappho, Image: The Staten Island Ferry passing the Statue of Liberty
Bikeshare Programs: Citi Bike
Citi Bike is New York City’s official and most popular bike-sharing service. Since its launch in 2013, Citi Bike has grown five times, recording over 30 million trips in 2022 alone. Today, Citi Bike is the nation’s largest bike-share system, enabling millions of monthly riders across over 1,800 stations and 26,000 bikes. Users can easily rent on the spot by scanning a QR code or through the Citi Bike and Lyft app. Offering both traditional and electric bicycles, Citi Bike is the go-to bike-share option in New York City.
Actionfigure Screen delivers information on bike-share availability and station locations for Citi Bike and Lime bikeshare, allowing riders to effortlessly rent a bicycle for their travel needs.
Scooter-Sharing Programs
New York City has embraced scooter-sharing services, seeing a surge in ridership year over year. Through user-friendly mobile app rentals, companies like Lime, Bird, and VeoRide have become a hit among both locals and tourists looking for a swift, enjoyable mode of transport around The Big Apple.
Actionfigure Screen provides real-time information on Lime, Bird, and VeoRide scooters in New York City, allowing users to easily locate and ride available scooters nearby.
Rideshare Services
Rideshare platforms like Uber and Lyft have transformed urban transportation in New York City, offering convenient and flexible travel options right at the fingertips of its users. Uber has even introduced options for shared rides in New York City, promoting cost-effective and environmentally friendly travel alternatives.
Actionfigure Screen displays real-time updates on Uber and Lyft in New York City, informing travelers of the availability and wait times for cars in the nearby area. Utilizing Actionfigure Screen, New Yorkers can use rideshare options with ease in their everyday travel.
Real-Time Transit Screens in New York City
Every day, New York City’s transportation system caters to millions of daily commuters and travelers across subways, buses, ferries, bikes, and more. Recently, the city has also taken the initiative to integrate micro-mobility options such as bicycles and scooters with transit systems, making travel easier for those who use multiple modes of transportation. In 2023, MTA’s strategic action plan titled “Extending Transit’s Reach” accomplished a variety of initiatives that helped increase accessibility to MTA facilities and stations. By installing more bike racks at stations, installing front-of-bus bike racks on certain buses, and paving dedicated bike lanes to stations, cyclists can utilize the transit options in New York City with ease.
Look onwards, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) is actively developing a strategic plan that will continue to cultivate a transportation framework that is efficient, accessible, and sustainable. With transportation tools like Actionfigure Screen providing real-time travel information to commuters and travelers in New York City, urban mobility is taken one step closer to NYC DOT’s ultimate goal.
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