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 be.
I highly recommend the Subway Time app over the official ones.
The Subway
- Regular Map
- Late Night Map (11PM - 5AM)
- All Maps
It has a long, long history, route length of 250 miles and track length of 850 miles (here are some more facts and figures). Where do the numbers and letters and colors come from? It’s complicated.
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 (which includes buses and trains.)
Here’s a map of all the OMNY Vending Locations in case you need to recharge your card.
On iPhone, and if you have Apple Pay enabled, you can go to:
Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay → (Tap Card) → Express Transit
and use that card to pay for NY transit. You can then just tap your phone at the station ✨
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. You may need your tax returns and a copy of your lease.
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