Riding Safely
MTA New York City Transit is interested in your
safety. In fact, it's our foremost concern. We want to let you know some
simple steps you can take to avoid injury or incident in our subway stations
or on board our trains and buses. The information below contains more than
fifty safety tips and lots of other information that can help you ride safely
and securely.
- Subway Safety
- Customer Evacuation Procedures
- View Customer Safety-Train Evacuation Video
- Bus Safety
- Subway and Bus Security
- Bicycle Safety in the Subway
- Pedestrian Safety
Most subway accidents result from slips, trips,
and falls on stairways when someone is in a rush. The best safety advice
we can give you is: slow down when you are on the stairs, and hold the handrail.
On Platforms
Some trains are shorter (have fewer cars) when
it's not rush hour because there are fewer passengers using the subway.
Some short trains operate without a conductor. On those trains, the train
operator opens and closes the doors, makes station announcements, and assists
customers, if needed. Consider waiting at the center of the platform at
these times. At most stations, there are signs that read: During Off-Hours,
Trains Stop Here. If you stand near the center of the platform near the
sign, you won't have to rush when the train arrives.
While you're waiting, please stand behind the
yellow protective strip, away from the platform edge. No matter what situation
arises, keep off the tracks. Tracks contain 600 volts of live electricity.
If you drop something on the tracks, go to the station booth and tell the
agent.
In Subway Cars
You risk serious injury if you ride on top
of the train (surfing) or ride holding onto outside doors (skylarking).
It’s also against the law.
Boarding between subway cars may seem like a time-saver, but it is highly dangerous. It's also dangerous to try to keep subway doors from closing when you are entering or exiting the train. They are not like elevator doors and will not reopen automatically. In addition, make sure that pocketbooks, knapsacks, clothing, packages, umbrellas, and other personal items are clear of the closing doors. When you're inside a moving train, never ride between cars or lean against doors. When you are standing, always hold on.
Boarding between subway cars may seem like a time-saver, but it is highly dangerous. It's also dangerous to try to keep subway doors from closing when you are entering or exiting the train. They are not like elevator doors and will not reopen automatically. In addition, make sure that pocketbooks, knapsacks, clothing, packages, umbrellas, and other personal items are clear of the closing doors. When you're inside a moving train, never ride between cars or lean against doors. When you are standing, always hold on.
Using the Emergency Cord
Use the emergency cord only to prevent an accident
or injury. For example, if someone gets caught between closing subway car
doors and is being dragged, pull the cord. But if your train is between
stations and someone aboard becomes ill, do not pull the emergency cord.
The train will stop, preventing medical professionals from reaching the
sick passenger. A sick person is better off if the train goes to the nearest
station where police and medical services will be waiting or can be quickly
summoned, without interruption.
On Escalators
Never run or walk on escalators; always hold
the handrail and face forward. If you're with a child, hold hands. (It's
not a good idea for small children to hold escalator handrails.)
Escalator steps are always moving and have spaces
that can grab. This means you should avoid resting packages (or yourself)
on the stairs. You'll also want to keep clothing and shoes away from the
sides. In addition, make sure that laces on footwear are tied. When you
leave an escalator, step off, rather than ride off.
On Elevators
Children don't know that they can get hurt by
elevator doors. You need to keep youngsters away from them. So, either hold
children's hands or, if you're using a stroller, keep children's hands inside
and never use a stroller to block closing doors. Watch clothing, bags, and
other personal items — they can get caught in closing doors too.
With Baby Strollers
Fold strollers so that you can carry infants
on stairs or escalators. Strap your child in snugly at all other times.
When you're on the platform, keep the stroller
away from the edge and apply the stroller brake. That's because platforms
tilt toward the tracks to allow for drainage, and the stroller could roll
onto the tracks.
Never place a stroller between closing subway
car doors. Watch out for the gap between the platforms edge and train when
you board. (That's always a good idea, even when you're traveling alone.)
And it's better if you board in the center of the train. The conductor is
usually there, making it easier to get attention in case of problem.
Don't run for the bus -- that's when most customer
accidents happen. Slips, trips, and falls are the most common causes of
injuries. If you're at the front of the bus, please stay behind the white
line. Avoid standing in the stairwell (rear door step) or leaning against
the rear door. And if you're a wheelchair user, please allow the bus operator
to secure your chair.
When traveling with an infant and a baby stroller, the stroller should be folded before entering the bus and should remain folded for the duration of the trip.
While you're riding, keep your head and arms inside bus windows.
When traveling with an infant and a baby stroller, the stroller should be folded before entering the bus and should remain folded for the duration of the trip.
While you're riding, keep your head and arms inside bus windows.
When you're ready to get off, signal the bus
operator two blocks before your stop so that he or she has sufficient time
to stop smoothly. We also advise holding the railing when you exit the bus,
especially in winter. Bus steps and sidewalks become slippery from snow.
As you leave the bus, watch for cars. (This is particularly important when
the bus operator has not been able to pull completely into the bus stop.)
Also, avoid crossing in front of the bus after you get off.
Request a Stop
Bus customers who travel between 10 p.m. and
5 a.m. can Request-a-Stop. Ask the bus operator to let you off anywhere
along the route, even if it isn't a designated stop. The bus operator will
comply as long as he or she thinks it's a safe location. This bus will still
make all regularly scheduled stops.
As a general precaution, whether you're in the
subway, the bus, or even in the street, appear confident. Always look as
if you know where you're going, and you're better off not displaying money
in public.
Officers in 12 Transportation Bureau Police
districts are responsible for keeping subway stations safe. On the streets,
a special police unit responds to bus crimes throughout New York City. Undercover
officers travel on bus routes to stop problems as they occur. And, if you're
alert and aware, you can make your subway and bus trips even more secure.
Off-Hours Waiting Areas
Avoid standing at the end of subway platforms
or on an empty platform. Instead, wait in the Off-Hours Waiting Area,
particularly at night. Most stations have one, generally located on the
mezzanine level, near a station booth. Speak to the station agent or
other NYC Transit employees (who wear bright orange vests) if you have
a problem. Use a Customer assistance intercom (mounted on a platform
column) to get help in a station where you're not visible to the station
agent. When you speak into the Customer assistance intercom,
the agent can speak with you. You can also use a public phone on the
mezzanine or platform to dial 911 (the police) if you need help. This
call is free. Each station booth posts the district and phone number
of the NYPD unit that patrols the station. When it's not an emergency,
use this number to contact the police. Electronic signs in many Off-Hours
Waiting Areas indicate when a train is approaching the station. If you
wait near the sign, you will have enough time to walk to the platform
as the train arrives.
Protect Yourself Against
Pickpockets
Stay awake. A pickpocket's easiest victim is
a sleeping passenger. If you feel drowsy, it's best to get up and stand,
or take another seat. When you find yourself alone in an empty subway car,
move to a car that has a conductor (usually in the center of the train),
a train operator (front car), or other riders. Being alert and staying in
a subway car with other people are always good precautions.
Although pickpockets often target people who
are alone and asleep, they know how to operate in crowds as well. That's
why you should be wary of being pushed or bumped. But even when there aren't
many people around you on a bus or in the subway, never keep your wallet
or money in a back pocket, and keep all bags, backpacks, and pocketbooks
securely closed. Overlooking these things can make you an easy target. Keep
alert if you see or hear a commotion. It could be a pickpocket's trick to
divert your attention. And speaking of remaining alert, be extra cautious
if you use headsets. They tend to reduce your awareness.
If your pocket is picked while you're on a bus,
call out to the bus operator immediately. He or she can request police assistance.
How to avoid Bag or Chain
Snatching
Bag and chain snatchers are more obvious than
pickpockets, but the result is the same. Following a few precautions can
better protect our valuables.
MTA New York City Transit is serious about safety
especially your safety. We hope you consider these messages when you ride
with us and that they become standard practice for you throughout your daily
trip.
Loading Translation Services...
