%cbZip, Zip, Zip Away! and other New York City, NY Transportation Tips

A Zipcar

by Ciambella

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: Smart New Yorkers do not pay high rate car insurance and high rate garage fee in order to own a car. In fact, most smart New Yorkers do not own a car if they live in the city. When they need a car for a few hours or a day, they rent one. The best and the most popular car rental by the hour is Zipcars, a company with a thriving business based on the concept of car sharing.

With Zipcars, you don't need to stand in line at a rental office or worry about business hours. Reserve the car online, do all the changes and modifications up until the last minutes, pick up and return the car at a 24-hr garage. The rate is also the lowest, range from $8.50/hr to $60/day, everything is included, from insurance to parking permit to E-ZPass for toll bridges and thruways, to a tank full of gas (no need to fill it up, there is no extra charge for an empty tank when return).

The only requirement to rent a Zipcar is a Zipcard, which can be obtaining online.

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Phone: 866.4ZIPCAR
Website: www.zipcar.com
Other Contact: info@zipcar.com

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Taxis: The Yellow Cabs

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Updated by Ciambella

on Nov 2, 2005

NYC taxis

by Ciambella

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: I used to think taxis in Manhattan is such an expensive way of transportation that should only be used for emergency, and not until recently when I came to term with the cost effective aspect of the yellow cabs.

Taxis are well regulated in the city, from the outside appearance to the inside condition, from the metered rate to the quality of service.

All licensed taxis are yellow with a medallion and numbers painted on the door. All are smoke-free, incense-free, and music-free. All come with A/C.

Rate starts at $2 when the meter is turned on, 30 cents for each 1/5 of a mile, and 20 cents for each minute of stopping. The regular size taxi can only take four passengers since there are only four seat belts installed in the cab. The mini van size taxi can take five passengers.

Taxi drivers are not allowed to refuse a ride to any destination and they must treat passengers with respect. If you happen to be the recipient of a bad taxi service, you simply need to jot down the medallion number of the car and call (212) NYC-TAXI to report the incident.

Gypsy cabs are illegal and the drivers are unlicensed, they do not adhere to any regulations. If you must use them, do it at your own risk.

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Grand Central Terminal: The Grand Dame Of All Train Stations

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Updated by Ciambella

on Nov 12, 2005

The ceiling

by Ciambella , 4 more photos

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Old habit dies hard. The folks here still call this great building Grand Central Station although the name was changed to Grand Central Terminal in the early XX century.

This is the nation's one of the most important landmarks and since after the completely restoration to its original splendour, Grand Central has become more than just a place to board the trains. This historic building houses five upscale and 20 casual restaurants, the famous Grand Central Market, 50 shops, and one exhibition after another.

You can tour Grand Central on your own or with a guide (free or paid). Details on the free guide tour are in one of my Off the Beaten Path tips: New York For Free

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Transportation: Penn Station

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Updated by Ciambella

on Jun 18, 2006

Penn Station

by Ciambella

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: The original Penn Station, the monumental Beaux-Arts masterpiece, the building that was modelled after the Baths of Caracalla, was demolished in 1963 to make way for the Madison Garden Sport Arena. Public was outraged, lawsuit was filed, but nothing could be done to stop "the greatest act of civic vandalism in New York�s history" (quote from Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan).

The current subterranean Penn Station -- a modern architecture in a city of modern architecture -- has been despised by the public since the day it was born in 1968. Architects abhor it, passengers don't care for it, the negative feeling is so strong that another station will be built across the street to replace it in the next few years. The new Moynihan Station will convert James A. Farley Post Office into a mirror image of the old spendor and elegance once called (the original) Penn Station.

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Grand Central Terminal: Short, Silver, And Sweet

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Updated by Ciambella

on Nov 13, 2005

The S

by Ciambella , 2 more photos

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: The most well run in the entire NYC subway is the 42nd Shuttle, also called Times Square - Grand Central Shuttle. The train is in bright and clean silver with blue trim, easy to recognise.

As the name implies, the 42nd St Shuttle connects Times Square to Grand Central Terminal. It is the shortest regular service in the system, covering 0.8 mile in exactly one minute.

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Subway: Keep New York Moving!

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Updated by Ciambella

on Dec 18, 2005

by Ciambella , 4 more photos