Subway Service Gates In A Nutshell

After some troubles I'm going through I've decided to supply my readers with valuable information about how to use the undocumented subway service gates with a bunch of luggage in New York City, because usage isn't intuitive to tourists, and using them in ignorance might work, but turns out to be very expensive. And don't forget: The way something works in your country doesn't necessarily be the way it's done elsewhere!

  1. No matter what Subway Card you've bought, you have to swipe it! Even if it's an unlimited ride ticked and technically you'd be allowed to ride the subway 24/7 for 4 weeks.
  2. You could leave your luggage unattended in a busy and crowded subway station, ignoring the announcements that you mustn't leave your luggage unattended, enter through the turnstiles after swiping your card, open the service gate from inside, pray that nobody's stolen your luggage, get your luggage through the service gate.
  3. Or you could enter through the service gate to bring your luggage in. Then you have to leave through the service gate again, leaving your luggage unattended in a busy and crowded subway station. After praying that your luggage is still there, you swipe your card, enter through the turnstiles and walk to your luggage.
  4. Or you can block out and wait in front of a very busy turnstile and wave to an MTA officer until he's watching you. Then you swipe your card, turn the turnstile without entering through the turnstile. After that you can enter through the service gate.
  5. I don't want to stress it too much, but you have to swipe your card, no matter what Subway Card you've bought, you have to swipe it! Even if it's an unlimited ride ticked and technically you'd be allowed to ride the subway 24/7 for 4 weeks.

I hope this made it much clearer :-)