BEFORE YOU BOARD
How to ride.
Find the right direction, read the system map, choose a payment method and check accessibility. These guides summarize published agency instructions and link directly to their sources.
How to ride the MBTA subway in Boston
Start with the MBTA subway map and your destination station. The Green Line has branches, so compare the branch and destination on the schedule with the train's sign. Where signs say inbound, the MBTA means travel toward the downtown stations near Boston Common; outbound travels away from that central area.
Maps, payment and boarding →How to ride CTA buses and L trains in Chicago
CTA's L lines are identified by color, but the train's destination tells you its direction. Use the system map to locate the line and transfer you need, follow station boarding signs, and compare the arriving train's destination with your planned trip. A timetable and the live Train Tracker answer different questions: the first shows planned service, while the second estimates arrivals.
Maps, payment and boarding →How to ride LA Metro buses and trains
LA Metro's map combines rail lines and busways, so check which kind of vehicle your trip uses. The G and J lines are bus rapid transit services rather than trains. For an ordinary bus route, match its number and destination on the windshield sign with your schedule; the same street stop can serve several routes.
Maps, payment and boarding →How to ride NJ TRANSIT trains and buses
Choose your rail stations or bus route first, then read the timetable for your travel day and direction. Rail itineraries may require a transfer, and timetable notes matter. Before boarding a train, use station announcements or DepartureVision for the assigned track and current status. A printed schedule alone does not establish today's track.
Maps, payment and boarding →How to ride BART and use its Bay Area system map
Use the BART system map to identify your stations and the destination shown for the train you need. Check the map for your time of travel: the official map distinguishes the daytime network from late-evening service. The BART trip planner includes planned delays and can help confirm whether a transfer is needed.
Maps, payment and boarding →How to ride SEPTA Metro, buses and Regional Rail
Decide whether your trip uses SEPTA Metro and buses or Regional Rail before choosing a map and fare. SEPTA publishes separate Regional Rail, Metro and frequent-bus maps, along with City, North and West regional transit maps. Use the individual line schedule and direction for your actual trip rather than assuming every service shown on a regional map operates the same way.
Maps, payment and boarding →