It's a trap to confuse the tourists.

[gridlore]

In preparation for the trip, I've been researching the New York Subway system. Why anyone would drive when you have this kind of service is beyond me, but that's another story.

One of the lines I've been looking at is the F line. This appears to run close to fimbrethil's place, and heads into Manhatten. Then I went out to the line page, and was amused to see that it is listed as the 6 Avenue Local.

I guess "local" in MTA speak means "it only hits 3 of the 5 boroughs."

Comments

[deathbytamarind.livejournal.com]

[pokes penguin]

[isomeme.livejournal.com]

I don't know if it's the case for the NYMTA, but "local" is often used as the opposite of "express" -- a local line hits every stop along the way, while an express skips many smaller stops. The LA MTA has "local" buses that work routes thirty miles long, crossing the whole LA Basin.

Noo Yawka Cleahs His Th'oat...

[yohannon.livejournal.com]

(I can already hear the Edgar Rice Burroughs jokes)

Isomeme has it, actually. The Express subway hits only the "major" stops (like GCT, Penn Station, etc.) while the Local hits every stop, the sweaty crowds gazing with undisguised envy at the express as it whizzes by on the inside track (which is where that phrase comes from, come to think of it).

~Y~

[freetrav.livejournal.com]

isomeme and yohannon are both right, at a basic level, but it's a bit more complicated than that - local and express refer to the service pattern on the Manhattan trunk line - so even though at most hours, the  E  and  F  bypass most stations in Queens, they're still locals because their Manhattan segments are all-stops. Similarly, the  4  is classed as an express even though it's all-stops in the Bronx, because its Manhattan trunk segment is major-stops-only.

Incidentally, the color of the line's identification also tells you which trunk line it uses.

[melyxa.livejournal.com]

Actually, 3 out of 5 is pretty good. I'm not sure if there's any line that hits all 5.

The MTA-speak for "local" & "express" has already been translated for you quite nicely.

When I lived "in the city," and was able-bodied, I agreed with you and then some. I thought it was nuts to have a car in NYC, and in some cases a tad selfish. But when you've seen some of the "outer boroughs" and Long Island, it's a little less puzzling as to why it would be something people would want. Me? I couldn't use mass transit now if I wanted to. Check the maps for how many stations are accessible, then bank on broken elevators. I won't turn this into a rant, but if you're a crip like me, a car to visit family and friends sometimes the only alternative.

[fimbrethil.livejournal.com]

The F train is one option from my house but so is the E from the same station and you also have the 7 train from Main Street which is near me too.

You would drive...

[seawasp]

... because you would rather have your private parts in a vise than travel on public transit.