The MTA can be a hassle, especially when running late to school or work and the train is delayed by 10 minutes. The solution? Keep ahead of the MTA’s schedule to be ready for anything that interferes with the commute. That isn’t so easy, however, when not even the MTA can keep up with itself. So the question is: how can we better navigate the MTA?
“There are so many apps. How do I choose?”
The answer isn’t simple. Although an app like Google Maps is widely popularized, users find that it isn’t the most effective. Upon polling students at FHHS and daily commuters about the effectiveness of Google Maps, results vary from positive experiences with the program to not-so-great feedback, often receiving wrong train and bus times occasionally.
Pollers overall rank Google Maps from a 7 to an 8.5 out of 10.
Dr. Belesis, a history teacher at Forest Hills High School, who lives about an hour from the school, spoke of the pros and cons of New Jersey Transit, “It’s great for tickets and schedules. However, sometimes inaccurate when a bus driver does not arrive! For example, sometimes a bus driver may decide they’re not gonna show up, and we won’t be notified until we’re sitting there waiting for the bus to show up.” Just a few days later, Dr. Belesis added, “One would have their salary being deducted [if they were late for work], so therefore, New Jersey transit being unprofessional in both the app and the pamphlet affects everybody trying to go to work.”
Furthermore, Ms. Weiner, a guidance counselor of the school, who also lives about an hour away. “For the subway, I use Citymapper, and I use that because it shows you the subways that are around and, it’s not super accurate with the times, but it’s pretty much accurate. I don’t like using it for the buses, though.” She elaborates by saying, “The MTA Bus Time… This is the only one that’s accurate with the buses because it shows you how far away it is, sometimes it tells you if the bus is really full… I like using this when I’m taking the bus because then I actually know how far away it is.”
2024: The Year of Delays?
“I remember last school year, there were major delays with the R train. I don’t think the M train was working at the time due to railway reconstruction somewhere in Manhattan, so only the R train was running all the way to Forest Hills. The delays with the R train were so bad that the E train had to go local,” exclaims an anonymous student of FHHS.
The year of 2024 has faced multiple situations causing train delays. Earlier this school year, there was a fire at the 67th Avenue train stop. Many students of FHHS, as well as everyday commuters, were forced to get off the train at the 63rd Drive-Rego Park train stop. It was early morning, with a slight drizzle, however students had to walk to school otherwise they would be late for their first period class.
“I feel like there’s been more delays than usual compared to when I first started here,” explains Ms. Weiner. “It’s not fun.”
“I’m a new commuter. Could I get some advice?”
“Use the city. There’s much more traffic with a car, it’s much more expensive using a car versus using a train and a bus,” states Dr. Belesis.
Ms. Weiner elaborates by saying, “Plan ahead. Leave earlier because you need to always expect that there is going to be some sort of delay working in the city. Also, just in general, be aware of your surroundings.”
The New York transport system can be a mess at times and become the most frustrating part of your day, but it’s efficient and convenient so you’ll have to eventually learn how to use it.
We say to find what works best for you, what app works for you might not work for others. It depends on which transportation you take and at what time you need to leave the house or arrive at your destination. However, if you want to avoid being late, then leaving the house at least 10-20 minutes earlier than needed would be the best course of action.
The MTA is the leading excuse for kids that are late to school, and although sometimes it’s inevitable, it’s also up to us to manage our time to make sure we aren’t arriving late at all times.
