ultrarunner2020

Thanks guys; I don't really know why I didn't just walk around the stairway to the other side to find the one leading down to the #7. I was pretty tired. Your info will certainly help me out on my next trip through GCT.

Hey guys; I have been traveling through GCT from Metro North to the Port Authority bus terminal mostly on weekends, but occasionally weekdays. With the construction in the area of the Shuttle station, I find myself in a different place each time I pass through. For example, a couple weekends ago, I was on the main concourse heading towards 42nd st. The entrance to the subway was always on both sides, but now it's one side or the other. On this Sunday, I was directed left from the concourse level (near 42nd st) then down a rather narrow corridor, and then down a set of stairs or an escalator to the subway. Once I had paid my fare, I could not find the corridor to the Shuttle. I'm not sure whether it was barricaded off, or that I was not in the same area I am normally when I go to the Shuttle. I ended up taking the #7 instead, which is actually a better choice for getting to PABT. Today (weekday) I was in the same area on the concourse level but this time I was directed to my right as I faced 42nd st. After going through the fare gate, I looked for the #7, but the only escalator I saw was going up. A sign at the top of the stairs leading down to the 4-5-6 platform indicated the #7 two levels down. I descended the stairway to the 456 platform, but didn't see a stairway or escalator leading down to the #7 platform, so I returned to the top of the stairway. Then I found the corridor to the Shuttle, and went that way. I believe that part of my confusion between finding myself on the #7 platform that Sunday and not finding the #7 today was that I had not entered the subway at the same location. There must be another entry point east of the main access (near the 42nd st exit), which is where I was on the Sunday when I found the #7 platform, but not the Shuttle. I suppose I can walk between the two fare gate areas if I do so before paying my fare, and that I need to be paying more attention to the signage, which isn't all that great in the first place. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the lower level. Sometimes the train I am on arrives on the lower level, which leads me to a completely different entrance to the subway. I end up in the same place of course - just don't need to descend a stairway. Perhaps I should just use that route instead of from the upper level. What would be really helpful in large stations like GCT and TS is color-coded floor tiles or painted lines which could be followed to reach a particular subway line. In the mean time, I am looking for a good map of the GCT subway stations (including access from concourse level). It's too bad Google Street View doesn't go inside buildings like GCT!

I was once on a train from Tarrytown to GCT that was completely full, and the conductor never got to take my (paper) ticket. I was able to use it for my next trip.

OK. Thanks.

Hi guys; Is it safe to assume that if I buy an off-peak ticket from Croton-Harmon to GCT but board the train at Tarrytown (or anywhere between the two stations), that there won't be any issues? Reason I ask is that I am a long-distance runner, and often run from Van Cortlandt Park to Tarrytown, and sometimes to Croton. I like to purchase my e-ticket prior to leaving on my run, so if I think I may run to Croton, I would purchase a ticked from Croton to GCT, rather than from Tarrytown. Considering that Tarrytown and Croton are in the same fare zone, I would assume it would be OK to buy the Croton ticket. Technically, it should still be OK to use a Tarrytown to GCT ticket if I board at Croton, but that might be a little more questionable. I don't know what Metro North policies are regarding this, but I am asking because of the possibility that they might frown on boarding the train anywhere other than at the station printed (or displayed) on the ticket - for logistical reasons perhaps. Of course, I could hold off buying my ticket until I reach Tarrytown, as I always make a food stop there. It's just more convenient to purchase it before I leave home. Then, there's the old-fashioned alternative: Buy the ticket at a TVM at the station. But I have missed more than one train because the train was pulling into the station as I ran down the stairs, and was gone by the time I had purchased my ticket. I don't want to pay the penalty fare buying it on the train. Thanks for your help FW-

Thanks for the clarification. Maybe I'll just take the A to 207th st and run the rest of the way to Van Cortlandt. I'm going there to start a 14 mile run to Tarrytown, and a few extra miles won't be a problem. Normally, I take the #1 from 181 st (after getting off the bus from NJ) to Van Cortlandt.

Hi; Can someone clarify the #1 planned service change for this weekend. The website says trains will run in two sections: 242 to Dyckman, and 137 to S. Ferry. Does this affect both uptown and downtown trains? Thanks FW

Not a regular commuter; I am a runner, and frequently run from the GWB to Tarrytown or farther north, then get on MNCR back to GCT and the bus home from PABT. I have yet to use the NJT 'MyTix' app, but do have it installed and configured on my phone. With all the poor reviews of the app, I am afraid to use it, so I have been using cash from NJ, and buy a ticket from a TVM for the trip home. That said, I have seen plenty of people getting on the bus using the app, so I guess it works - at least some of the time. I agree 100% with the need for a new fare collection system. Tap & Go is the way to go, but I would go one step further, and build a system that is compatible with MTA, so we can have one card (or one account) to use for MTA and NJT. Ultrarunner

Hi; I often take the 175 bus from Teaneck road & Grayson place in Teaneck, to the GWB bus terminal. Until a few weeks ago, I was always charged the 3 zone fare ($4.50), but recently, on two occasions, I was charged only the 2-zone fare ($3.50) from the same stop. When I questioned the driver, I was told that the zone changes at route 4 & Teaneck road. So, what the driver is telling me is that he can charge either the 3-zone or the 2-zone fare from Grayson place, even though it is 2 blocks (but 0 bus stops) from the change of zones. The next stop is Route 4 & Phelps road, which is 0.43 miles (as the bus travels) from Grayson Place. So, to avoid any confusion, perhaps the next issue of the #175 bus schedule should indicate the zone change either at Teaneck road & Grayson place, or at Route 4 & Phelps road. Either way, I always have the 3-zone fare on hand when I board the bus. Ultrarunner