Public transport in New York

The New York City Transit Authority runs one of the largest and most complex subway systems in the world with about 720 track miles connecting four boroughs. Trains stop at 470 stations, so you're almost cer­tain to find one near where you need to go.

You'll need a token to enter, and you can purchase them at token booths in every subway station. You'll see globes outside most subway entrances. A green globe means that the entrance is staffed 24 hours a day. A red globe indicates the entrance is closed or restricted in some way. Read the sign posted above the stairs if you see a red globe. On signs outside the station, you'll also see colored decals displaying subway-route numbers or letters. These decals tell you which trains stop at the station.

Once you're in a subway station, you'll find a Pas­senger Information Center near the main token booth. This large bulletin board displays maps, service schedules and information about service changes. Follow the signs displaying the subway route you want to take.

When you're traveling during off-peak hours (especially midday and at night), look for a yellow sign, usually suspended from the ceiling and indicating Off-Hour Waiting Areas where it is recommended to wait for the sake of safety: the token-booth clerks will be able to keep watch over the passengers (sometimes by using a video camera). During off-peak hours, they also suggest you ride with groups of people or in the same car as the train's conductor — usually in the middle of the train.

The buses (usually air-conditioned) are a welcome alternative to the subway. They are extremely handy for traveling from east to west, which is not so easy by subway. Bus stops are indicated by a yellow mark on the curb, showing a bus and line number. Several lines may stop at one bus stop: check the number of the bus indicated on the front and back of the vehicle.

The bus fare is the same as the subway fare and is paid by a token or with the exact money in coins.

 

VI. Choose the right translation for the underlined words.

1. to run one of the largest and most complex subway systems

a) осуществлять

b) руководить

c) управлять

2. you are certain to find

a) вы наверняка найдете

b) вы уверены, что найдете

c) вы уверены найти

3. the entrance is staffed 24 hours a day

a) вход обеспечивает обслуживающий персонал

b) за входом следит обслуживающий персонал

c) за входящими людьми следит обслуживающий персонал

4. Read the sign posted above the stairs.

a) прочтите надпись над ступеньками

b) прочтите название над эскалатором

c) прочтите надпись над ступеньками эскалатора

5. to display service schedules

a) демонстрировать схемы услуг

b) давать расценки на услуги

c) воспроизводить на дисплее схемы услуг

6. to travel during off-peak hours

a) пониженные часы

b) часы затишья дорожного движения

c) непиковые часы

7. to be a welcome alternative to the subway

a) достойная альтернатива

b) поощряемая альтернатива

c) одобряемый выбор

8. are extremely handy for traveling

a) очень удобны для путешествия

b) чрезвычайно удобны для поездки

c) чрезвычайно удобны для передвижения

9. the exact money in coins

a) точное количество монет

b) точная сумма в монетах

c) необходимое количество монет