urbanblitz

Commute from Hell

Being unemployed, there is one thing I don’t miss. It’s none other then the infamous NYC rush hour.

Let’s breakdown today’s scenario. I had an interview in Morningside Heights ( located on Upper West Side, 125th Street). Since I was travelling from Brooklyn, I thought I anticipate a commute of 2 hour, just in case. Thank god.

Right after, we crossed the bridge ( this where usual train congestion occurs ) we pull into Canal Street, which is the first station in Manhattan on the Q train. The train I was on, halted to a complete stop in the tunnel before the 14 Street - Union Square stop.

Train Conductor: Sorry for the inconvience, a local train is crossing in front of us. Please be patient, we will be moving shortly.

(5 minutes later)

Train Conductor: There’s been a fire at Lexington Avenue. All Q, W, N and R trains are experiencing major delays. Please be patient.

(another 5 minutes later)

Train Conductor: Some local train will be crossing in front of us. Please be patient

(another 5 minutes later)

Me:Tapping foot. Looks out window, sees about 5 local N and R trains cross in front of us. Looks frustrated. Argh! Man, I’m going to be late for my interview. Why does this always happen right after we get off the bridge. I have no damn cell phone reception).

(Finally, 10 minutes later the train pulls into the 14 street - Union Square station)

Train Conductor:

You might want to take the local train across platform. They’re probably going to be moving before us.

So, I got off the Q train to hop onto the N local. As it pulls into 23rd street, the train conductor makes another annoucement about delays on the local train. At this moment, I give up. I hop off the train at 34th street, to take the D train to the Upper West Side.

Initial Route

Take Q train to 42nd street

At 42nd street, I had 2 options:

Option 1: Take the 3 express train to 96th street, to transfer to a 1 train to 125th street

Option 2: Take the 1 train local to 125th street

Duration time: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Alternative Route

Take Q train to 34th street

At 34th street, take D train to 59th Street - Columbus Circle

At 59th Street - Columbus Circle, transfer to the 1 train to 125th street

Duration time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Well, I got to my interview on time. But my commute was hellish.

No wonder, I’ve been feeling calmer these days. It’s because I haven’t had to deal with the hassle of the commute from hell. Of course, people would get agitated during rush hour. We’re all packed in the trains like sardines, especially during the summer. Thank god, they put air conditioning on the train, or I might have to hand someone a Degree deodrant stick.

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