Transportation in New York City

3 min readFeb 14, 2022

The transportation system of New York City is a network of complex infrastructural systems. New York City, being the most populous city in the United States, has a transportation system which includes one of the largest subway systems in the world; the world’s first mechanically ventilated vehicular tunnel; and an aerial tramway. New York City is also home to an extensive bus system in each of the five boroughs; citywide and Staten Island ferry systems; and numerous yellow taxis and boro taxis throughout the city. Private cars are less used compared to other cities in the rest of the United States.

Within the New York City metropolitan area, the airport system — which includes John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport (located in New Jersey), Stewart Airport and a few smaller facilities — is one of the largest in the world. The Port of New York and New Jersey, which includes the waterways around New York City and its metropolitan area, is one of the busiest seaports in the United States. There are also three commuter rail systems, the PATH rapid transit system to New Jersey, and various ferries between Manhattan and New Jersey. Numerous separate bus systems also operate to Westchester County, Nassau County, and New Jersey. For private vehicles, a system of expressways and parkways connects New York City with its suburbs.

1Background
1.1History
1.2Mass transit use and car ownership
1.3Environmental and social issues
1.4Commuting/modal split
1.5Ridership
1.6Transit culture
2Transit systems
2.1Rail
2.1.1Rapid transit systems
2.1.1.1MTA
2.1.1.2PATH
2.1.2Airport services
2.1.3Commuter rail
2.1.4Intercity rail
2.2Buses
2.3Other transit
2.4Major transit hubs
3Ferries
4Roads and expressways
4.1Bridges and tunnels
4.2Expressways
4.3Private automobiles
4.3.1Congestion pricing
4.3.2Delivery trucks
4.4Taxis
4.5Pedicabs, pedestrians, and bicycles
4.6Dollar vans
5Aerial tramway
6Airports
7Seaport
8Future and proposed projects
9See also
10References
11Further reading
12External links

Background[edit]

An 1807 version of grid plan for Manhattan.

History[edit]

Main article: History of New York City transportation

The history of New York City’s transportation system began with the Dutch port of Nieuw Amsterdam. The port had maintained several roads; some were built atop former Lenape trails, others as “commuter” links to surrounding cities, and one was even paved by 1658 from orders of Petrus Stuyvesant, according to Burrow, et al.[1] The 19th century brought changes to the format of the system’s transport: the establishment of a Manhattan street grid through the Commissioners’ Plan of 1811,[2] as well as an unprecedented link between the then-separate cities of New York and Brooklyn via the Brooklyn Bridge, in 1883.[3]

The Second Industrial Revolution fundamentally changed the city — the port infrastructure grew at such a rapid pace after the 1825 completion of the Erie Canal that New York became the most important connection between all of Europe and the interior of the United States. Elevated trains and subterranean transportation (‘El trains’ and ‘subways’) were introduced between 1867 and 1904. In 1904, the first subway line became operational.[4] Practical private automobiles brought an additional change for the city by around 1930, notably 1927 Holland Tunnel. With automobiles gaining importance, the later rise of Robert Moses was essential to creating New York’s modern road infrastructure. Moses was the architect of all 416 miles (669 km) of the parkway, many other important roads, and seven great bridges.

Transportation in New York City

Contents

History[edit]

Written by Caxec