Life in the US
Public Transportation
There are numerous modes of transportation in the US. Most states offer a variety of services to suit your needs. People use all means possible or necessary. For example, it is common to take a bus or train into New York City, and once there, jump on the subway or into a taxi to get to your specific destination. Typically transportation within and between suburbs and major cities is more than adequate, however, within and between small towns and rural areas, public transportation is lacking. You will most likely need a car. Listed below are more traditional ways people get around, but don’t be surprised by speeding bicyclists, scooters or weaving roller-bladers (similar to roller skates) zipping through our city streets!
Airports
 There are a number of major airports located within states where we do most of our business.
Newark International (EWR), Newark, NJ
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Jamaica, NY
LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Flushing, NY
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Philadelphia, PA
Bradley International Airport (BDL), Hartford, CT
For information on EWR, JFK and LGA airports, including all flight information (domestic or international), refer to www.panynj.gov/aviation/ewrframe.htm
For information on PHL airport and flights, visit www.phl.org/text.index.html
For information on BDL airport and flights visit www.airportsintl.com/conn.html
To find an airport in your region, visit www.airportsintl.com/uslist.html
Buses
 These are probably the most common means of transportation on our roadways today. They are generally available in every state, and offer local (from town-to-town) and distance (state-to-state, coast-to-coast) routes. You can buy tickets for a single ride, round-trip or weekly and monthly passes.
Trains
 Another very common mode of transportation used in the United States, especially for commuting to and from work. Again, they are available throughout the country and offer local (from town-to-town) and distance (state-to-state, coast-to-coast) routes. One can buy tickets for a single ride, round-trip or weekly and monthly passes.
Subway System
 This is a great way to travel, but be ready to keep up with the high speed pace. Subway systems (underground transport systems) are located mainly within metropolitan areas, such as New York City or Philadelphia. NYC Transit keeps New York moving 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as its subways speed through underground tunnels and elevated structures in the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.
For more information on bus, train and subway maps, schedules, pricing, etc. visit -
To find bus/train/subway transportation in any state, visit www.apta.com/sites/transus/
Ferry
Many areas offer Ferry service to get you from point to point over canals and rivers. The fastest, and usually the most expensive, way from New Jersey to New York and vice versa is via this mode of transport.
www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dot/html/get_around/ferry/ferintro.html
Taxi/Cab
These are not limited to, but are typically located within city areas. They are a great way to get around quickly. The convenience may justify the slightly higher cost. Some places have designated areas to wait for a taxi to pick you up, such as outside the bus station in NYC. You may need to wait in line. However, if you walk down a couple of blocks, you can flag/wave a driver down on the side of the road and he will pick you up. You can determine if the taxi is vacant, as the light on top of the roof will be lit. If it is not lit, then the cab is not available for pick up.
Within local municipalities, you can also call for a cab to pick you up at a particular location and take you to your destination. Use the “Yellow Pages” Book or call information (411) to find a local Taxi service.
Drivers do expect tips (usually 15-20% of the fare). Most taxis are metered, so you can see the fare as it increases over the distance traveled. There are times when the fare is a fixed price. An example is a taxi ride from an airport into the city. JFK into Manhattan, costs $35.00 + tolls and tip. Where there is not a metered cab (as in most suburban and local areas), establish with the driver what the fare will be prior to starting your trip.
Limousine
Limos are more costly for the luxury they provide. You can arrange for door-to-door transportation nearly anywhere. Just give a call and they will be happy to discuss rates or any other questions you may have. Tips are definitely expected (Standard chauffeur gratuity is 15%-20% of the rate). Check out www.limos.com for more information.
There are other means of transportation that you can also research. Many companies offer Van and Carpools. These are basically groups of employees m work. Typically there is a general meeting location central to all participants. You can ask your co-workers if there is anything available like that on your assignment.
Parking
Airports, Bus Terminals and Train Stations have designated areas or garages in which to park your vehicle. There are fees associated with the length of time (hours, days, weeks, etc.) in which you leave your vehicle on the premises. You can call ahead of time to get information on the fees. There are also parking garages located in and around major metropolitan areas, like New York City and Philadelphia. These too, charge a fee depending on the length of stay. Some areas have “metered parking.” Meter’s are designated for each spot and are coin operated. Fee’s and allotted times vary. An example would be $ .25 per ½ hour parking. These meters may be located on street parking or in parking lots. Lastly, many places have free parking, like in shopping malls, grocery stores and libraries. If you are in doubt, just ask someone nearby.
Toll Roads
The two major toll roads in New Jersey are the Garden State Parkway (GSP) and the New Jersey Turnpike.
The Garden State Parkway (www.gspkwy.state.nj.us) runs 173 miles along the New Jersey shoreline. Tollbooths are set up for $0.35 fee collections intermittently along the way. Be alert to be in the correct lane. Toll violators are subject to fines.
Lane designation:
- Attendant/change
- Exact Change
- EZ Pass (www.ezpass.com) electronically deducts tolls from a prepaid account (EZ Pass can be used on toll roads, bridges and tunnels throughout the Northeast region)
The New Jersey Turnpike (www.state.nj.us/turnpike) runs throughout New Jersey. Upon entry, a toll ticket is taken. You can then travel on the Turnpike until you reach your desired exit. The toll is paid only once at the point of exit.
The New York Thruway (www.thruway.state.ny.us) is a 641-mile superhighway crossing New York State, which is the longest toll superhighway system in the USA. It connects New York City and Buffalo. Opposite, the Thruway connects New York to the Pennsylvania.
Other Thruway sections make direct connections with the Connecticut and Massachusetts turnpikes, New Jersey's Garden State Parkway and Interstate 287, and other major expressways that lead to New England, Canada, the Midwest and the South. Similar to the NJ Turnpike, The New York Thruway utilizes a Toll Ticket upon entry and payment upon exit.
Pennsylvania Turnpike (www.paturnpike.com) is the Grandfather of the Interstate Highway System. It is a key transportation route within the state of Pennsylvania and a vital link in the network of the eastern United States. The PA Turnpike connects directly to the NJ Turnpike at exit 6A. The Pennsylvania Turnpike too, utilizes a Toll Ticket upon entry and payment upon exit.
Most states have some type of roadway system similar to the ones mentioned above. On these roads you may encounter Toll Bridges and Tunnels as well.
To find information on Toll roads in any state, visit: www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~mn2n/tollroads.html
Bridges and Tunnels linking NY and NJ
Bridges and Tunnels have varying fees for use. Check this site for exact charges: http://www.panynj.gov/tbt/tollfram.htm
The Lincoln Tunnel is the world's only three-tube underwater vehicular tunnel facility. It provides a vital link between midtown Manhattan and central New Jersey, and forms part of New Jersey Route 495. In New Jersey, this highway connects the tunnel with U.S. Routes 1 and 9, 3 and the New Jersey Turnpike. The Lincoln Tunnel Expressway and Dyer Avenue in Manhattan connect the tunnel and local city streets from West 42nd Street south to West 30th Street.
The Holland Tunnel - The first Hudson River vehicular tunnel will bring you from NJ to Canal Street and West Street, NY. You can access the Holland Tunnel in New Jersey off the NJ turnpike and U.S. Routes 1 and 9.
For more information, visit: http://www.panynj.gov/tbt/tbtframe.htm
The George Washington Bridge (GWB) is a one of a kind, two-level Bridge that crosses the Hudson River between upper Manhattan (West 178th Street) and Fort Lee, New Jersey and forms part of Interstate Highway I-95.
The Goethals Bridge spans the Arthur Kill Channel linking Elizabeth, New Jersey with the Howland Hook area of Staten Island, New York. The Goethals Bridge is a memorial to Major General George W. Goethals, builder of the Panama Canal. The Goethals Bridge leads directly to the New Jersey Turnpike at Interchange 13, and is accessible to Routes 1 & 9 and other New Jersey highways. It is a major route for traffic moving between Brooklyn and New Jersey with its direct connections across the Staten Island Expressway (1-278) to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
The Outerbridge Crossing was named in honor of Eugenius H. Outerbridge, first Chairman of the Port Authority. It links Perth Amboy, New Jersey with the Tottenville section of Staten Island, New ork and the New Jersey shore. On its New York side, the Outerbridge Crossing leads to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge via the West Shore Expressway to the Staten Island Expressway (I 278). On its New Jersey side, it leads to the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway via State Highway 440.
The Bayonne Bridge is one of the longest steel arch bridges in the world. It spans the Kill Van Kull to link Bayonne, New Jersey, with the Port Richmond area of Staten Island, New York. On Staten Island, it leads to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge via the Martin Luther King, Jr. Expressway and the eastbound Staten Island Expressway (1-278). It also leads to the Goethals Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing via the westbound Staten Island Expressway.
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was named after Giovanni da Verrazano, who, in 1524, was the first European explorer to sail into New York Harbor. The ends of the bridge are at historic Fort amilton in Brooklyn and Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island, both of which guarded New York Harbor at the Narrows for over a century.
The Tappan Zee Bridge (http://www.tzbsite.com) is one of the largest bridges in the United States. Spanning three miles, it carries the New York Thruway's mainline across the Hudson River. The bridge connects two important parts of New York State - Westchester and Rockland counties - which previously were linked only by ferry.
The Driscoll/Edison Bridges (http://www.state.nj.us/njcommuter/roads/rt9) connect Sayreville to Woodbridge New Jersey. These run parallel to one another, but The Edison Bridge is located on Route 9 and the Driscoll Bridge is located on the Garden State Parkway. Unlike the Driscoll Bridge, the Edison Bridge is not subject to toll collections. |
