New York City's metro system is in a much better shape now. Yes, it is difficult to navigate for first-time travelers and some stations remain sketchy. On the other hand, cars are newer and stations are becoming more accessible and user-friendly. Anyway, tourists need it to explore the Big Apple.

Dirty, inefficient and the only real way to get around the city and this is from someone who traveled the various lines for years when we lived and worked up north. It is getting expensive but still less than a taxi. Don't even think about getting on one of the awful busses. I only gave it a second star because it is quick (most of the time) and less costly than other modes of transport in the city. Fogettabout it on weekends when services are rerouted and disrupted. You have no idea whee you are going and how to get there since no one works in the boots anymore. An antiquated system for use by way too many people it has no future but to get worse.

Easy to navigate after a while, worth spending time reviewing maps before you travel. Level of people clearly on drugs and suffering mental health issues is concerning. Inappropriate for young children to be exposed to this daily. MTA staff were extremely helpful and pleasant. Such a convenient method of transport through NYC. As we were travelling with a stroller we spent a lot of time in lifts and more then once lifts had been soiled and very dirty.

This was the 2nd time I’ve used the subway in New York. I was pleasantly surprised, by the folks that gave their seat up, because I was using a cane. Not everyone was sociable, but there were people that would talk to me, and I like to talk! There were a couple of areas that someone had urinated in, (mostly the corner before you got on the elevator), but otherwise, it was clean and there wasn’t trash lying around, so I was pleasantly surprised! With COVID-19, and everything else going around, (it was December, coughs, colds, etc), so after using the handrails with going up stairs, I used gloves and then I sanitized my hands! When we left, it was shoulder to shoulder because it was rush hour, but people still talked to others. I felt perfectly safe and at no time, was I ever afraid, and we saw many security people, so that helped a lot!

We used the subway a lot, however it isn’t as easy as say, the Tube maps in London, to follow. Be aware…..I was scammed when I was buying a Metro Pass. I had just put my card in and a guy flew in and quickly said that was the wrong machine. He said i needed cash which i produced, meanwhile another guy bought a pass on the other machine that i had put my card in. Don’t let anyone help you, you can figure it out!!

I have been in many underground transport systems across the world but I have never experienced anything as filthy as the New York system. The dirt of the actual trains, the seats, floors etc. The rubbish on platforms and lifts was disgusting and the constant smell of urine, faeces and cannabis was unbelievable. Lots of the stations are not disabled friendly so had have my wheelchair carried up and down flights of stairs. People were standing injecting and sharing needles openly. Given the number of stations that had NYPD presence, I was shocked by the open drug use. I would not recommend this as a means of travel if you have children with you as the sites we saw of people injecting, urinating etc was an eye opener.

I was warned in advance not to ride the subway! It had to be the most filthy place I have ever been. The only reason we rode it was to get from Wall Street to Times Square quickly for a show. I removed all visible jewelry and tried to just look normal and not a tourist. There were other people onboard who were obviously not tourist and just working folks. The subway station was beyond nasty. People had urinated in areas and the urinate had just pooled up. The stench of urine reeked as you enter the subway. Do yourself a favor and Uber or use a taxi.

Subway is always dirty and depending where you go. Now, I see many illegal sellers inside any stations to sell fruits etc. It reminded me of Mayor Guiliani’s era when he kicked and cleaned up the criminal and fake product sellers everywhere. I think NY need another Giuliani to make NY cleaner from poor and illegals people!

When entering subway, in the city, do know first exactly where are you going, direction, train number... we thought all stations have underground connection to the other direction, like in Toronto... Assuming so, we payed the ticket and went in the wrong direction entrance. When returning to JFK, by subway, get off from the subway on the second to the last stop, to transfer to the airport train. Not at the very last stop.