Any body who visits New York City and does not ride the subway is really not seeing New York. Spending time in midtown Manhattan is just seeing other tourists not new yorkers. If you want to see what new york is really about get on the subway (however avoid the rush hour) and ride one of the trains.

        Now I know a lot of you hear stories of people getting hurt when they ride the subways so I will give you some facts. If the bridges connect New York then the subways are the arteries of the system. Four boroughs are connected by many lines and you can spend a whole day riding every one of them.

        The subway system has 231 miles of track. On any weekday it carries over 4 million people. The record was set on Dec.23, 1946 when the subways carried over 8 million people. So if you know what to do your chances of being bothered on a subway is less than being struck by lightning.

        Now some history of the subway system. The first subway system was the Interborough Rapid Transit known as the IRT. It was first put into service on Oct. 1904. The lines are numbered 1 through 7. They pass through all 4 boroughs and run from one end of The Bronx to the end of Brooklyn and in Queens to Shea Stadium.

        The next system was the Brooklyn Manhattan Transit known as the BMt. This went into service on May 1923. There were 4 lines with all but 1 starting at the Times Square Station. They were known as the Sea Beach Line, The West End Line, The Culver Line and the Brighton Beach Line. All of the lines terminated at Coney Island (Stillwell Ave.).

        The last line went into service in 1932 and was known as the IND (the Independent line). this line ran to all 4 boroughs. The lines all had letters from A to F. In the 1950's the lines were merged into the MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority. Now except for the old IRT all the lines are lettered.

        Any visitors to New York City (if you are staying for more than a few days) should get 2 things. One is a bus and subway pass (they can be good for so many rides depending on how much you are willing to spend) and the second is a bus and subway map. This will save you time and money even if you only stay in Manhattan.

        Cab fares are very expensive and getting a pass every time is wasting time. Since there are quite a few things you might want to see outside of midtown Manhatten the easiest way is by subway and bus.

        Now if you ever want to ride the subways here are some tips: when you get down to the station act like a New Yorker. Stand away from the platform until the train comes to a complete stop. Do not travel during rush hour. No matter what is going on do not stare especially at a person. Keep your eyes moving even if you have to read the advertisements.

        If you remember these few things a trip on the subway can be very enjoyable. Even if you are not going anywhere in particular just riding you can always get a free show. However in my other stories of the boroughs I will tell you about places that you can go to and enjoy yourself.

        I do hope you will visit my city sometime and have a ball.

bigdaddi