Walking and Riding Between Cars

Another official MTA rule regards walking or riding between subway cars. Supposedly, this is bad. In some cases, such as the 7 train, with its sudden hairpin turns careening on an elevated track, it is actually dangerous. But in most cases, the rule doesn’t make much sense. If you don’t like your car or would like to be in another one and are able-bodied enough to negotiate opening doors and stepping between moving train cars, feel free to walk between cars.

Here are some tips to make it safer: Try to minimize the amount of time that your feet are split between the cars, in case of sudden turns. Pull the latch to the right and open one door, step out while holding the handle, then cross to the ledge of the next car and open that door. If someone is leaning against the door in the next car, it is polite to rap on the window before opening it, so they are not startled into falling to their death.

Riding between cars—in the sense that you spend an extended amount of time there—is frowned upon by both the MTA and by me. First off, other people might want to pass through, and if you are blocking their path of egress, what’s that about? And secondly, extended riding between cars just leaves too much chance for accidents to happen.

Most people who ride between cars are either rebellious teens, or people who decide their commute would be improved with a smoke break of some type. If you stay there long enough, the MTA will catch and ticket you. Especially on the 7 train.

Note: Most of these doors are locked on older train cars on the N, R, Q, B, and D trains. In the case of an emergency, they are automatically unlocked.

Close the Door! Can’t You See I’m Using The Toilet?

The other reason people ride or stand between subway cars for an extended period of time is if they need to use the toilet. It often happens that inebriated young men will step between cars to relieve themselves. (Beware of backsplash, as they will usually just pee on the actual door itself if it is locked).

If you decide to do this, use caution! Remember, direct the stream AWAY FROM THE THIRD RAIL! I can’t imagine how painful it would be to be electrocuted to death via 625 volts DC coursing through your junk, and frankly, I don’t want to.

On the very rare occasion, you may also find women relieving themselves between cars. One unforgettable tale is that of a friend who, attempting to pass through to another car, encountered a homeless woman squatting, taking a shit.

“Close the door! Can’t you see I’m in the toilet?” she hollered. As crazy as that may be, it is in fact quite impolite to walk into the toilet while someone is using it. And, since you may no longer want to walk between those particular cars once that person is finished, wait until the next station stop, and take the scenic route.