@futurebird I'd get on the one that comes first because I don't fully trust the accuracy of those signs. If it says there's a train coming in five minutes, there *might* be a train coming in five minutes. But the one that just pulled in and opened its doors is definitely here.

@futurebird If I were visiting NYC and given this choice, I would not have any clue that one of these was a local and the other was an express since the sign has no indication (that I can see?). I guess "you just have to know"!

If I had cell service, I'd be consulting a transit app and doing whatever it told me. Otherwise, I'd probably take the first to arrive, lol

@futurebird

I have a book with me so I'm good with either one

@futurebird take local, and they usually have express train waiting down the line anyway, so switch to express later. worst case, you will get somewhere few minutes late.

@futurebird you wait the 5 minutes for the A because the number of stops between 145th and Columbus Circle id far more than the 4 minute difference

@futurebird Would taking the express force you to get off the train at a different stop that is further from you destination? If so, don't take the express. Otherwise, the express is probably better, and probably no more than about 4-5 minutes later at worst.

@futurebird wait

@futurebird Take the C and contemplate your choice until you hit 125th, check the times again, and (likely) switch over.

@futurebird so which did you choose? 🙂

@futurebird are they on the same platform? if so, i'd probably check how crowded the local is and base my decision to get on it or not on that.

@futurebird train will pull a u-turn and come back to the platform but on the other side but it takes a few minutes because it has to look both way for traffic on the other rail

@futurebird Local right now.

@futurebird I'd wait for the express, too many stops

@futurebird Depends how full the train happens to be. I don't mind local if I can sit.

@futurebird Couldn't tell you.

What I can tell you is "public transit anxiety" is a thing, and I experience it every time I have to take a bus or train for the first time, especially in an unfamiliar city.

My guess is to wait.

@futurebird