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How far can you get in 40 minutes from each subway station in NYC?

subwaysheds.com

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Re: How far can you get in 40 minutes from each subway station in NYC?

#11

Post by Tade0 »

I'm of the opinion that every 500k+ city should have a subway line.

I grew up in a city with one (just one for the majority of my 20 years there) and if there's one thing I miss from that place it's the ability to move at an average speed of 35km/h at any time the trains were operating, especially at 2am on a Friday night after a couple of beers with the guys.

The other thing I noticed when I was visiting my family there during the recent holidays is that there are so few cars in places close to the subway lines - roughly half the usual concentration. The incentive to have one is just not strong enough.

Re: How far can you get in 40 minutes from each subway station in NYC?

#12

Post by bdunks »

I love this. I agree with the "about" that it's visually compelling, and I'm mesmerized.

This doesn't detract from my enjoyment the site, but for trip planning I'm a little skeptical of the results around the edges, especially when I'm assuming multiple transfers would be required (e.g., Local -> Express -> Express -> Local).

With a caveat this was over 10 years ago (~2012-2013), and train frequencies may have changed:

I used to live pretty far up on the upper west side, and took the 1 train from the 103rd street station daily. My weekday route was 1 -> 2/3 -> 7 into midtown. The 20 minute radius is accurate at peak times, when it only takes 2-3 minutes to catch a transfer. However, the website "about" makes an assumption this is for noon on a weekday. I don't think I ever made it to Brooklyn in under 40 minutes.

Re: How far can you get in 40 minutes from each subway station in NYC?

#15

Post by xvedejas »

Tade0 wrote: post #11

I'm of the opinion that every 500k+ city should have a subway line. I grew up in a city with one (just one for the majority of my 20 years there) and if there's one thing I miss from that place it's the ability to move at an average speed of 35km/h at any time the trains were operating, especially at 2am on a Friday night after a couple of beers with the guys. The other thing I noticed when I was visiting my family t…

I'm of the opinion that it depends on density. You could build a subway line in some US cities of 1M and nobody would ride it; you could build a subway line in a city of 50k and everyone would ride it. It depends on whether there is density to support walking directly to many things (businesses, residences, and other transit lines) or not.

Re: How far can you get in 40 minutes from each subway station in NYC?

#17

Post by dzonga »

nice too. but been a while since I lived in NY. what these things don't tell ya is how frequent the trains break down. my morning commute would be 30 mins on a packed train, but the evening train would be 2x-3x that time due to trains / track issues.

Re: How far can you get in 40 minutes from each subway station in NYC?

#18

Post by lotsofpulp »

amanda99 wrote: post #9
xhkkffbf wrote: post #4

Does it take into account the way that some subway lines run much less frequently than others?

No, it seems to assume changing trains is instantaneous and trains are waiting for you.

Which is why people prefer personal cars whenever possible. Mass transit has to operate at 5 minute intervals (so that you are waiting at most 10 to 15 minutes in the event of a missed connection).

If it isn’t that frequent, then I am going to opt for a personal car every chance I can. Using only the subway in Manhattan/some parts of Brooklyn is convenient, but as you stray further, it starts getting tedious.

Re: How far can you get in 40 minutes from each subway station in NYC?

#19

Post by chimeracoder »

lotsofpulp wrote: post #18
amanda99 wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, it seems to assume changing trains is instantaneous and trains are waiting for you.

Which is why people prefer personal cars whenever possible. Mass transit has to operate at 5 minute intervals (so that you are waiting at most 10 to 15 minutes in the event of a missed connection). If it isn’t that frequent, then I am going to opt for a personal car every chance I can. Using only the subway in Manhattan/some parts of Brooklyn is convenient, but as you stray further, it starts getting tedious.

> Mass transit has to operate at 5 minute intervals (so that you are waiting at most 10 to 15 minutes in the event of a missed connection).

Which is not only possible, but quite feasible. Upgrading to provide six-minute service 24/7 would only require a one-time investment of $300M, because it is projected to raise enough revenue to pay for itself in the long term.

Unfortunately the current governor is trying to cut transit funding again with her most recent budget proposal, so that's unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Re: How far can you get in 40 minutes from each subway station in NYC?

#20

Post by HPsquared »

xvedejas wrote: post #15
Tade0 wrote: post #11

I'm of the opinion that every 500k+ city should have a subway line. I grew up in a city with one (just one for the majority of my 20 years there) and if there's one thing I miss from that place it's the ability to move at an average speed of 35km/h at any time the trains were operating, especially at 2am on a Friday night after a couple of beers with the guys. The other thing I noticed when I was visiting my family t…

I'm of the opinion that it depends on density. You could build a subway line in some US cities of 1M and nobody would ride it; you could build a subway line in a city of 50k and everyone would ride it. It depends on whether there is density to support walking directly to many things (businesses, residences, and other transit lines) or not.

The subway is the big expensive investment. In theory, businesses and housing etc would develop around the stations. Like how suburbs develop around train stations.
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