New York subway - the largest subway system in the world in the number of stations and length of routes (metro, the longest lines - Shanghai), fourth in the world in annual passenger traffic. The system introduced in 1868, when New York was opened above ground (on metal racks) urban rail line with cable traction, replaced in 1871 by steam, and in 1890 - for electricity.

The total length of routes operated by 1355 km (of which are used for passenger traffic in 1056 km). The official number of stations - 468 (different calculation methods give values ​​from 416 to 468) components of the 26 routes. Metro covers four of the five urban areas (in Staten Island, City Line operates trains with similar trains). Operates the metro, as well as other urban and suburban transportation in New York, the company MTA. In addition, the city serves the PATH - Speed ​​Underground Railroad, which connects Manhattan (New York City) with the towns of Hoboken and Jersey City, New Jersey.

As in most other U.S. cities and in contrast to the "underground" capital system is traditionally called «subway» (subway), despite the fact that the company's name is the word metropolitan, and that about 40% of the paths are ground or above ground. All are fully separated from traffic and other modes of transport, the majority of the intersections between the paths made by different level.

Multi-day ticket entitles you to unlimited travel repeated in the subway and buses in the city during this period. Count the first day begins at the first pass through the turnstile metro or bus, regardless of time of day, so start using the multi-day ticket is more convenient in the morning. On the last day of the ticket through the turnstile metro or bus can take up to midnight.

The first line of above-ground public transportation came to New York in about 1870, but has not survived to the present. The earliest surviving in the underground sections of the present elevated railway opened in 1885. Even earlier, in 1863, opened as a valid part of this day, refers to the locomotive while the road.

By the time of opening of the first underground stations in 1904 the railways in the city belonged to two large private companies - BRT (Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company), and IRT (Interborough Rapid Transit Company). The city authorities have taken a great interest in the development of the transport system, most of the lines were built and the city surrendered to companies in the lease.