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Getting Around

Download the Transit App. You will use this and/or Google Maps to figure out how to get to where you want to go.

Subway Maps​

OMNY Card​

The MTA (Metro Transit Authority) manages a truly giant network of transportation systems1. In NYC, it manages the OMNY (“One Metro New York”) system. You will use either an OMNY Card or your phone, SmartWatch, Credit/Debit card, whatever, to tap your way through the city’s public transit.

Here’s a map of all the OMNY Vending Locations in case you need to recharge your card.

Fare-Capping​

OMNY automatically caps what you spend: once you’ve tapped 12 paid rides in any seven-day period, additional rides are free until the seventh day ends. At today’s $2.90 fare, that’s a max of $34 per week.

Getting Around for Free​

Columbia operates an intercampus shuttle between CUIMC and Morningside. There’s a web app you can use to track it. I recommend the mobile app.

But I am Poor Student​

Columbia thinks you may be eligible for a 50% reduction in fares with OMNY via the Fair Fares program. I don’t have much information here yet.

Ferries​

For $4.50, you can ride up and down our rivers to reach our beaches at the Rockaways, to visit Governor’s Island for a nice bike ride, or hop on over to Staten Island. You can find routes and more info at ferry.nyc

Footnotes​

  1. “The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America’s largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined.” (Source) ↩