Groups can have fun and explore a city together for not much money by taking the subway. But traveling through crowded underground passages and transit lines with a group is a bit trickier. If you plan properly and coordinate with group members, a subway excursion is an easy and fun group adventure.
In this article, we’ll cover some helpful tips on how to tackle the subway as a group, from pre trip research to real time navigation strategies, safety precautions, accessibility considerations and technology recommendations.
Pre-Trip Planning
There’s no better way to control your group’s subway journey than thorough preparation prior to it. Although it isn’t impossible to do by yourself, it isn’t easy by any means, we recommend doing a little research, figuring out routes, purchasing tickets and allocating leader roles before the trip.
Research the Subway System
Firstly, it’s important to get your group familiar with the overall subway system you will be using. The transit authority’s website is a great place to start, you can browse maps and resources to see what you can get out of it.
Review routes, lines, stations and connections or find your bus stop and explore your commute. Helpful pre trip familiarization is also available through official mobile phone apps and will be handy later for real time navigation updates enroute.
Purchase Tickets In Advance
It’s not ideal figuring out tickets with a large group at stations during busy transit times. If available, purchase group passes ahead of time, or have each person get an individual reloadable fare card or pass in advance from ticket booths, vending machines or apps.
Coordinating The Group
If you are traveling with a group on public transportation, it’s worth getting organized. We suggest the ‘assign a leader,’ choose meeting spaces, and utilize communication technology methods to ensure better coordination.
Assign a Group Leader
Assign someone in your party to act as the station stationing liaison who will coordinate position at stations for the most efficient tracking of arrivals/departures and to assist in making go no go decisions on the fly if transit conditions preclude plans as they are constituted.
It also helps to avoid having drawn out discussions that slow things down. If phones lose power, the leader should have printed backup subway maps.
Establish Meeting Points
If your party gets separated at any point along the journey (due to train capacity, etc.) agree in advance on easily located specific landmarks such as Turnstiles 22X or the Joseph Smith statue within each station to quickly regroup. In a wide open station space with few reference points, the leader will lead the group to a certain neon sign or pillar number for rallying.
Navigating The Subway System
Mastering subway navigation basics like entering/exiting protocols, boarding and riding etiquette takes coordination practice when moving together as a group.
Entering and Exiting Stations
During busy commuting periods, bottleneck points like turnstiles or stairwells down to platforms routinely attract clusters of riders simultaneously pushing to pass at once. This can splinter member chains.
Have point people enter first to forge paths for others to follow single file through gates. When ascending post-ride, groups should space out across all stairways/escalators to avoid obstructing solo travelers behind them.
Boarding the Train
When trains approach, the leader should direct the group to cluster together to board the same subway car via designated points by door number. Pay attention to markings delineating boarding areas.
Since exiting passengers get the right of way, stand clear allowing them to descend before rushing doors. Groups should avoid blocking solo riders from entering around them.
Safety Considerations
Safety should be top of mind, especially for those unfamiliar with big city subways. Pickpocketing and equipment malfunctions do occur. We recommend groups take preventative measures and prepare emergency protocols.
Personal Belongings
Groups should secure personal items in zipped pockets or close bags to avoid attracting thieves looking to take advantage in tight crowded spaces where detection is unlikely. Stay alert in case suspicious activity is noticed. Report issues to authorities promptly should problems occur rather than taking matters into one’s own hands.
Emergency Procedures
Before riding, leaders should indicate the location of emergency brakes, alarms and communications devices within train cars, as well as clearly marked subway tunnels to safely exit along tracks in the event of issues.
Memorize emergency numbers for local authorities should assistance be required. While extremely rare, even preparations for unfolding dangerous rider conditions should be discussed as precaution.
Accessibility and Special Needs
When coordinating group subway travels, accessibility and inclusivity considerations for less abled members should be paramount throughout the process.
Elevators and Escalators
Navigating some stations requires stair usage between platforms. Check subway maps for marked elevator locations as alternative accessible vertical circulation routes. Report non-functioning options to station agents promptly for repair. Escalators also provide mobility assistance options when functioning properly.
Assisting Group Members with Disabilities
Collaborate to ensure vision, hearing, mobility or cognitively impaired group members feel equally supported to participate, whether helping guide leading members down stairs, offering audio reminders for visually impaired riders or simply carrying bags for those less able to transport independently. The Americans with Disabilities Act protects equal access rights – accommodate accordingly.
Cultural Etiquette and Local Tips
Riding public transit means sharing space respectfully with people from all walks of life and locales. Some helpful pointers for squad harmony with other riders are:
Subway Etiquette
Stand clear of train door openings to allow smooth flow for exiting passengers without obstruction. During commuting peaks, avoid congregating in car pathways blocking seated travelers from moving freely about the cabin between stops. Quiet conversations or headphones are advised over boisterous exchanges which can grate on riders seeking peaceful trips.
Offer Seats to Those In Need
Health conditions rendering difficulties standing safely when vehicles brake and accelerate aren’t always visible. Offer seats to pregnant women, elderly individuals or anyone appearing potentially in need of respite from being kept upright by momentum shifts. Children and less able groups should also get priority seating when available.
Utilizing Technology
Other than the subway navigation and payment apps I mentioned earlier for preplanning, groups can make smart use of smart devices to optimize rides in many useful ways.
Navigation Apps
Accurate tracking of real time exact train progression is referenced as next generation map programs during commutes. This allows groups to expect platform arrival status to catch cars or estimate wait time for the next without relying solely on static schedule estimates or in station signage that may fail to reflect up to the minute system changes. Some helpful examples are CityMapper, Moovit, google maps, Apple Maps.
Digital Payment Methods
We mentioned that major metro areas around the world are transitioning to contactless fare payment systems based on the efficiencies of tapping vs ticketing. There are many that support smartphone wallets that enable apple pay or google pay functionality for more streamlined access to gates without having to handle cards over and over again. Some, like NYC’s OMNY, even offer tap discounts that aren’t available with paper tickets.
Conclusion
On the surface, coordinating groups to travel en masse on urban underground transit appears daunting. But with proper preparation and embracing this time tested transportation mode as part of your adventurous journey, you will increase program cohesion as well as bond through shared experience.
By following the pointers outlined in terms of advance planning, intra trip coordination techniques, navigation best practices and contingency management, your group’s subway travel should be a smooth ride, with you absorbing local culture at an economical rate. Where to next year? Maybe an iconic river cruise to go with this underground voyage. Happy trails, squad!