Grand Central → Day 1 of 12 Days of Transit Vlogmas 2023

It's the first day of 12 Days of Transit Vlogmas for 2023. We're taking a look at the diverse ways people get around in New York City. For Day 1, we are visiting Grand Central Terminal and Grand Central Madison right below it.
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[@UrbanCaffeine]

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[@soullfire]

The outrage of the demolition of Penn Station saved Grand Central and serves as a lesson in the limitations of private companies being in full control and ownership of a critical public good. When profits go down and turn to losses, the private company will just get rid of the costs rather than maintain. NYC let Penn be torn down and it's crazy to think they almost let the same thing happen to Grand Central.

[@alk61695]

As a Long Island Railroad commuter, Grand Central is a nice option, but it really messed up the schedule. Also, you do not want to be late for a train at Grand Central and have to run down those escalators. One wrong step and it is a long way down.

[@stevenroshni1228]

part of that was the mta not ordering new trains when the fed consultant said they need it, and i simply dont buy the brooklyn excuse, during rush hour sure but outside of that ...

[@aqua2poweros699]

@@stevenroshni1228 Grand Central gets more ridership than Brooklyn does with exceptions of some Sundays (and a few Saturdays) and when the barclays center is hosting events.

[@thomasmason302]

Wow. The press about GCM has been negative. I'm glad to hear otherwise

[@user-hi4xk1bs2o]

​@@thomasmason3024 REPLIES

[@jfmezei]

Nit Pick: After Pennsylvania Railroad bulldozed Penn Station, New York Central wanted to do same. This was in early 1960s. And it was Jackie Kennedy (Onasis) who mounted fight to save Grand Central and started the movement to preserve historical buildings. The compromise was to keep the terminal but sell air rights above platforms, hence the Pan Am building (mispelled "Met Life"). (in your video you mentioned the 1970s, it was i 1960s). The inability to demolish did not mean it had to be kept in pristine condition. With PRR NYC merger, the complex went to Penn Central. Amtrak took over intercity, and Metro North contracted with Penn Central to operate commuter services. Bankrupted Penn Central went to Conrail. and in 1983, Metro North started to run its services instead of contracting. BUT: Grand Central remained with the bankrupted Penn Central and ended up absorbed into some insurance firm. It is only in recent years that the complex was sold to Metro North/MTA at which point, a full renovation to "brand new" was undertaken. (so that black spot you showed is from that recent renovation).

[@stevenroshni1228]

"misspelled" is a nice way of saying "they stopped paying and went bankrupt". Lol

[@JuanNunez2023]

Grand Central Station reminds me of how much of a shame that Penn Station wasn't saved back in the 1960's.

[@tasniaislam3951]

yes, I agree it's a long walk from the subway station exit to the LIRR station platform. I think they should add the moving floors they have in airports that take you straight across. I've missed the train many times because of it

[@robertewalt7789]

I don’t understand why LIRR didn’t route east side trains to unused platforms at Grand Central Terminal. When built, there were 47 platforms, many more long line trains to Boston, Chicago, many other cities. The LIRR trains could have gone across the Hell Gate Bridge to the Bronx, then down to GCT.

[@SasserReturns]

12 videos we are so privileged 🙇

[@schwasel]

Exactly a year ago, on December 2nd, 2022, I was there at Grand Central. It was a beautiful moment of our New York vacation :)

[@LenaRacing]

I love having the option of either penn or grand central depending on where I am in the city. My family lives out in LI and having a second option of where to leave Manhattan from has been great. But yes they probably should put some of the airport style moving walkways to assist because when you are shelping luggage that hallways of Madison it can feel like you are walking forever.

[@TudorCityGrrrl]

I was just telling my hubby that they need a people mover. It is a long walk, unless you are at the front of the train (coming in).

[@user-hi4xk1bs2o]

​@@TudorCityGrrrl2 REPLIES

[@MTAFan585]

I love Grand Central. It has so much history and just looking at the new GCM actually, been there like 5 times this past year. The main area of the terminal itself is so so beautiful. I’m gonna go back this week sometime hopefully and ride the LIRR. Great choice of videos. January will mark a year since they opened up Grand Central Madison.

[@ChasMusic]

I either hold the escalator rail or rest my elbow on it. I think the last time I was in Grand Central Station was the dingy years. I probably wouldn't have even thought to look up at the ceiling. Anyway, fun video, thank you.

[@CoastersBolts]

Used to go through Grand Central on the Metro North Harlem Line all the time when my family would take day trips to Manhattan from Putnam County. Was last in Grand Central two years ago and ate the best black and white cookie of my life in the food court.

[@tasniaislam3951]

I frequently take LIRR from Grand Central and I've tried walking down the escalator and have gotten dizzy staring at the escalator platform grill lines. it's a sport I have yet to master.

[@richshort8120]

I can't remember the last time I was in Grand Central. Cool video 😎👌

[@AMAN61-]

Best thing about Commuting from Grand Central Madison, you are not sharing track with Amtrak or Nj rail. Because Amtrak always interfere with commuter rail and make your trip dealy. As a person who commutes from Princeton Nj to NY Penn on NEC sharing the entire tracks with Amtrak and make your train delay.

[@omarhamza7996]

Pre-covid I used to come in Grand Central Terminal from Metro-North on a weekly basis, and I was always awed by it after growing up in NJ and getting used to dingy old Penn. Between that and Port Authority it really feels like New York doesn't want people from NJ taking transit in 😅

[@charlesbaran1106]

My wife and I recently traveled on Metro North, LIRR, and Airtrain to Kennedy Airport. The train from Southeast arrived on the lower level of GCT, and we were able to find GCM pretty quickly, without actually going into the gorgeous Terminal. However, heading home we were taking a train to Poughkeepsie on the upper level. We took various elevators, escalators, and stairs, winding up on the platform in front of the train. It was not pleasant while pulling a heavy suitcase. Hopefully, next time it will be easier. Looking forward to your next 11 videos.

[@WilliamPhillippe]

Superb stuff, Théa! I’ll be tuning daily to catch your twelve days. You omitted to mention the famous Tiffany Clock, which is considered one of the most famous clocks in the world and is on the façade of Grand Central Terminal.

[@russellmancillas4464]

Great!

[@AhmaadJohnson]

3:49 i really like your pronunciation of lamenting. It sounds so fluid and lovely.

[@D...M...A...]

Thanks for the series Thea , early December needs your charm...

[@Sleepy1026]

I have done the same exploring of both stations and yes absolutely agree on the GCM having a long….. too long of a concourse and its frustrating walking it end to end

[@CharlesReiche]

Good bathrooms in Madison as well.

[@ommy7672]

INCREDIBLE bathrooms

[@peterthehappywaiguoren]

Great video, looking forward to the next 11 days of transit!

[@davidkoenig8592]

Great video. I have been back to the city like 4 times in the last 3 years and always try to spend a few minutes inside Grand Central. It is a majestic place. If I didn't see this video though....I wouldn't have known the museum was there. Need to do that and hit the gift shop as there are some books there I want.

[@UrbanCaffeine]

It's more like a satellite gift shop. The museum I would recommend is at Brooklyn.

[@kaydee1201]

B careful don’t catch a cold

[@stepheneson4107]

People who avoid touching handrails think nothing of 1)handling cash money 2) picking up their phone from a dirty countertop 3) pull commercial door handles 4) hold on to subway train handrails etc etc etc. Just use common sense: wash your hands frequently, use sanitizer periodically, and avoid touching your face.

[@matthiashowley2570]

Used to commute on Metro North every day from Putnam County. Coming into Grand Central was a delight, but I do not miss spending 3 hours commuting on heavy rail every day

[@ddrdanganvloger2187]

I do want to see videos of Bee-Line & NICE as they DO traverse NYC by Bx & QNZ. Don’t think you’ll do that though. To consolidate the GSS/M/T, it should be renamed as the Big Meganame: GRAND CENTRAL UNION STATION.

[@pgchase4578043026]

Of course there's no money for it now, but they should have put in a Travelator (moving walkway) in that long walking section. There's certainly plenty of room for it.

[@adventureswithcarl123]

I haven't taken the long Island railroad yet but will definitely take it when I revisit in November! Happy Holidays Beautiful Lady😘😘😘 xox

[@yugioh041]

I use the 4 ,5 and 6 trains . And I get off and on at grand central on my way to Brooklyn.

[@Thorum0]

790 views and 760 likes. Either the numbers are incorrect, or the video should be promoted to a LOT more people...

[@darrenkwalsh]

Informative vlog! And, yes, I touch the escalator rail, but always think to myself if I should… lol

[@stevenroshni1228]

i hold my hand just above the railing so i can grab it if lose grip

[@jeffreysmith85]

A fast walkway or shuttle bus

[@user-jo3pd6nk3t]

I wouldnt want to do this. I grew up in the average size city but lived North of there in a small town for 17 yrs. When we go back for shopping or to visit family, its crazy to have to sit through 10 street lights within a couple miles. Where I currently live we can go north or south in a mile a minute or less. I cannot imagine living in new york city. I think I would get frustrated really fast.

[@bongoms]

I accept my fate and grab all sorts of railings and handles if I need. I inevitably get my hands full of city germs being out and about, always wash as soon as I get home

[@3markaw]

I rarely touch things unless necessary when I'm out . Remember NY as a world city has germs from around the world. However that never stops me from enjoying it all.

[@raakone]

For Grand Central Terminal to Madison, and along Madison, should they put in moving sidewalks/Travelators to make things more tolerable? (they use them in airports for that reason)

[@jfmezei]

Question: on Grand Central Madison: From the maps and my recent visit, it appears the long corridor from 42nd to 48th is under Vanderbuilt, not Madison aver, and the long escalators down from that corridor (1 minute 30 seconds BTW) go east towards Park Avenue. So I am curious on whether there is any of the station that is actually under Madidon Ave, or if the name was chosen because it sounded better than Grand Central Vanderbuilt. Or did I get totally disoriented and the long corridor is actually under Madison ave ?

[@stevenroshni1228]

The exits are on Madison. I believe there is a different part of the station that's called Vanderbilt

[@choossuck7653]

Im going to nyc next week for the first time with 3 people. Will i have to vuy three Metro cards or can we all use the same card?

[@cicchiamichael]

👍🙂👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@UNDERTAKER2621]

12 days of your face, thank God you are cute 😍

[@KeelohTwango]

They need to have Travellators like at some airports for the long ‘commute’ between 42nd and 48th !

[@mikvas8088]

great video...(you look like you are 12 :)

[@EPMTUNES]

I love grand central but grand central Madison is certainly stretching the definition of a transfer... Google maps even suggests going to the 51st Street stop of the 6 for access. (Instead of the stop called grand central)

[@stevenroshni1228]

It's a stretch for the 4567 but for metronorth there's backway paths. And the shuttle is at the beginning of the concourse. Also consider if you need the front or back of the train

[@Avgeek1564]

Hi, I'm visiting from the UK in a couple of weeks, and I will be taking the LIRR from Jamaica to Penn Station. I then need to get from Penn to my hotel in the Meatpacking district. Do you think I'm better off taking a cab or the subway? I will only have a small carry on with me. Thanks.

[@aptadpamu]

It depends on where your hotel is in the Meatpacking district. If you don't mind walking, look for the signs at Penn Station for the A-C-E Downtown platform. All subway trains stop at W 14th St (first stop for the A-train, 2nd stop for the C or E trains on 8th Ave. Walk SW from there to the Meatpacking district. I have stayed at the Jane Hotel, which is about a 12 minute walk to the subway in a relatively safe area even at night. The southern end of the Highline is in that district. Lot's of restaurants, the Whitney museum, Little Island are in the area, and Chelsea Market is on W 15th St. If you need yet another Apple store, it's on W14th St and 9th Ave.

[@Avgeek1564]

​@@aptadpamuI'm actually staying at the Jane too, stayed there a few years ago, and loved it!

[@aptadpamu]

Well then, play it by ear. If it's dry and not too cold, take the subway and walk the rest of the way. If the weather is less than ideal, pickup a taxi/Uber at Penn Station to the Jane. Also, if you have time, check out Moynihan Hall at Penn Station (follow the signs) and the food court there. Nearly all the restaurants are open and fun to check out the Moynihan in general. As for the Jane, I would always request the 6th floor as it's the quietest with half the rooms. Have great fun.

[@Avgeek1564]

Thanks for the tips, the Jane is apparently undergoing a major reconstruction. So the Ballroom/nightclub is no more unfortunately. I will definitely check out the new Monyihan station as I have time to kill before my check in at the Jane.

[@ommy7672]

They still haven't added retail?

[@stevenroshni1228]

Just a few stands

[@hhvictor2462]

on infrequent weekends I take the Metro North Hudson Line from GCS to visit folks in Poughkeepsie. An uneventful ride with decent views of the Hudson River valley. And would be nice if FairFares included Metro North ticket prices but I suppose the program applies only for city residents.

[@ahmadfrw1]

We still hate backtracks.

[@markfinley2486]

I wonder why they couldn't install moving sidewalks like JFK has?

[@jfmezei]

I suspect moving sidewalks have limited capacity and transit infrastructure in NYC is built to handle large flows of people. Also remember that there is a large number of office buildings just north of GCT so for office workers in those buildings, there is a lot less walking involved.

[@stevenroshni1228]

Probably fearing that homeless people will destroy it

[@DV-ml4fm]

No chairs to rest in grand central madison too. 👎

[@brendapayne6603]

You managed to promote your merch but did not give any information about parking, places to eat, buying tickets, etc. This video was a waste of my time and not ss good as your other videos, many of which I have watched. Hope the other 11 are more informative.