NYC Transit Museum

The New York Transit Museum is located at the abandoned Court Street subway station in downtown Brooklyn, which was decommissioned in 1936. Dive underground – and travel through time with the New York Subway.

The New York Transit Museum holds many stories – of unusual engineering accomplishments, of the workers who toiled in the tunnels more than 100 years ago, of ever-evolving technology, and of the design and management of a system that runs 24 hours a day every day.

Don’t miss the entrance to the museum

Externally, the entrance to the museum looks like any other Brooklyn subway station, so visitors often walk around for a long time, not believing that this is it. Fortunately, the signage makes it clear that this is no ordinary New York City subway station. Under the ground, you’ll find many artifacts that tell the story of the evolution of one of the largest transportation systems in the world. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children, and free on Wednesdays for groups of up to 5 people.

Do you remember the old tokens?

Prior to the MetroCard, tokens were the predominant fare on the New York Metropolitan and buses from 1953 to 2003. The New York Transit Museum has an exhibit that shows token-operated turnstiles and ticket vending machines dating back to 1904.

The museum opened in 1976 as part of the bicentennial celebration of the United States. And at the time, admission cost just one token.

Both in the snow and in the rain

The museum features several different galleries that tell the story of the MTA. The museum is currently hosting an exhibition: “The City Recovered: Public Transportation Responds to the Crisis.” The exhibition shows that MTA employees, whose speed is teased throughout the city, handle their tasks quickly and clearly in critical situations. The events of 9/11, the Northeast blackout of 2003 (it occurred on August 14 in all parts of the Northeast and Midwest United States. It took almost two weeks to restore power), Hurricane Sandy and other severe weather events, the exhibit demonstrates how such critical transportation problems for a huge metropolis were handled.

One of the permanent exhibitions, Steel, Stone and Foundation: Building the New York Subway, tells the story of the construction methods and labor required to build the city’s first subway line at the turn of the 20th century. Historical artifacts, video footage, and photographs bring to life the dedication and tenacity of the workers who made this project possible.

Not just about trains

Another permanent exhibit, On the Streets: Trolley Buses and Buses of New York City, tells the story of ground transportation from the early 1800s to the present day. A 12-seat city bus, an Aquarium bus, road signs, parking meters, fire hydrants, traffic lights, and many other interactive “street components” bring this exhibit to life. Visitors can also learn about the evolution of fuel technology and its impact on the environment.