Staying Safe on New York City Subways and Buses: A Message for Families
New York City’s subway and bus systems are among the busiest in the world, moving millions of people every single day — including many of our students. For children and teens growing up in NYC, learning to navigate public transportation is more than just a convenience — it’s a valuable step toward independence and responsibility.
Whether they’re traveling to school, a friend’s house, or an after-school activity, students need to know how to ride safely, respectfully, and confidently. That’s where families come in. Your guidance and conversations at home can make a big difference in helping your child build good habits and stay safe while using public transportation.
Here are some important safety reminders and helpful tips to share with your children: Safety
Tips for Students and Families: Stay Alert and Aware: Phones, music, and videos can be fun distractions — but it’s important that your child keeps their eyes and ears open while riding the bus or subway. Encourage them to lower the volume on headphones and look up often. Being aware of their surroundings helps them avoid accidents and recognize when something doesn’t feel right.
Stand Back from the Platform Edge: Train platforms can get crowded, especially during rush hours. Always remind your child to stand behind the yellow safety line and to never lean over or sit near the edge. Trains arrive quickly and sometimes without warning — staying back is the safest choice.
No Subway Surfing — Ever: Subway surfing — riding on the outside of train cars or between them — is extremely dangerous and has sadly led to serious injuries and even fatalities. What might seem like a trend or dare on social media is, in reality, a deadly risk. Please talk openly with your child about why this behavior is never safe or acceptable. NYC Public Schools and the MTA are working together to spread this critical message: “Ride Inside. Stay Safe.”
Keep Belongings Secure: Encourage your child to stay organized and aware of their belongings. Backpacks should be zipped up, phones and other valuables kept out of sight when not in use, and personal items held close, especially in crowded spaces. Staying mindful of their things helps avoid loss and theft.
Travel with Friends When Possible: There’s safety in numbers. When possible, encourage your child to travel with classmates or friends, especially during after-school hours. Traveling together can be safer, more fun, and a great way to build confidence in navigating the city.
Know the Route: Help your child become familiar with their travel route ahead of time. Go over which subway line or bus they’ll take, where they might need to transfer, and what to do if they miss their stop or feel lost. Practicing the route together at first can help ease anxiety. Free apps like MYmta or Google Maps are great tools for trip planning and can help them make smart travel decisions.
Emergency Awareness: Make sure your child knows how to get help if something goes wrong. Teach them how to identify MTA staff members, police officers, or station agents, and point out where emergency intercoms, help points, and exits are located in stations and on trains. Reassure them that asking for help is always okay.
A Family Conversation: One of the most important things you can do is simply talk with your child. Ask about their experiences on the subway or bus — who they ride with, what they notice, and how they feel. These everyday conversations are opportunities to teach them how to handle tricky situations, like overcrowded trains, someone making them uncomfortable, or feeling pressured by peers to act in ways that aren't safe. Let them know that if they ever feel unsafe or unsure, they can reach out to you or a trusted adult. Remind them that making good choices while traveling is part of growing up — and that you’re proud of them for learning how to do it well.
In Partnership with Families: Together, we can help all New York City students enjoy the freedom and opportunity that public transportation provides — while staying safe, smart, and respectful along the way. By reinforcing these simple safety habits, families play a key role in building a culture of awareness and responsibility on our city’s transit system.
Thank you for being our partners in keeping students safe, every step of the way.