New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [302]
Most city buses follow easy-to-understand routes along the Manhattan street grid. Routes go up or down the north–south avenues, or east and west on the major two-way crosstown streets: 96th, 86th, 79th, 72nd, 57th, 42nd, 34th, 23rd, and 14th. Usually bus routes operate 24 hours, but service is infrequent late at night. Traffic jams can make rides maddeningly slow, especially along 5th Avenue in Midtown and the Upper East Side. Certain bus routes provide “limited-stop service” during weekday rush hours, which saves travel time by stopping only at major cross streets and transfer points. A sign posted at the front of the bus indicates that it has limited service; ask the driver whether the bus stops near where you want to go before boarding.
To find a bus stop, look for a light-blue sign (green for a limited bus) on a green pole; bus numbers and routes are listed, with the stop’s name underneath.
Bus fare is the same as subway fare: $2.25. MetroCards allow you one free transfer between buses or from bus to subway; when using coins on the bus, you can ask the driver for a free transfer coupon, good for one change to an intersecting route. Legal transfer points are listed on the back of the slip. Transfers generally have time limits of two hours.
Route maps and schedules are posted at many bus stops in Manhattan and at major stops throughout the other boroughs. Each of the five boroughs of New York has a separate bus map; they’re available from some station booths, but rarely on buses. The best places to obtain them are the MTA booth in the Times Square Information Center, or the information kiosks in Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station.
Pay your bus fare when you board, with exact change in coins (no pennies, and no change is given) or with a MetroCard.
Buses in New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Travel Information Line (718/330–1234, 718/330–4847 for non–English speakers | www.mta.info). MTA Status information hotline (718/243–7777 or 718/330–1234), updated hourly.
Buses to New York Adirondack, Pine Hill & New York Trailways (800/225–6815 | www.trailways.com). BoltBus (877/265–8287 | www.boltbus.com). Coach (800/631–8405 | www.coachusa.com). Greyhound Lines Inc. (800/231–2222 | www.greyhound.com). New Jersey Transit (973/275–5555 | www.njtransit.com). Vamoose Bus (877/393–2828 | www.vamoosebus.com).
Bus Stations George Washington Bridge Bus Station (4211 Broadway, between 178th and 179th Sts., Washington Heights | 10033 | 800/221–9903 | www.panynj.gov). Port Authority Bus Terminal (625 8th Ave., at 42nd St., Midtown West | 10018 | 212/564–8484 | www.panynj.gov).
CAR TRAVEL
If you plan to drive into Manhattan, try to avoid the morning and evening rush hours and lunch hour. The deterioration of the bridges to Manhattan, especially those spanning the East River, means that repairs will be ongoing for the next few years. Listen to traffic reports on the radio before you set off, and don’t be surprised if a bridge is partially closed or entirely blocked with traffic.
Driving within Manhattan can be a nightmare of gridlocked streets, obnoxious drivers and bicyclists, and seemingly suicidal jaywalkers. Narrow and one-way streets are common, particularly downtown, and can make driving even more difficult. The most congested streets of the city lie between 14th and 59th streets and 3rd and 8th avenues.
Gasoline
Gas stations are few and far between in Manhattan. If you can, fill up at stations outside the city, where prices are anywhere from 10¢ to 50¢ cheaper per gallon. In Manhattan, you can refuel at stations along the West Side Highway and 11th Avenue south of West 57th Street and along East Houston Street. Some gas stations in New York require you to pump your own gas; others provide attendants.
Parking
Free parking is difficult to find in Midtown and on weekday evenings and weekends in other neighborhoods. TIP Violators may be towed away or ticketed literally within minutes. And you will not be able to talk your way out of a ticket—especially after it’s been