Use 511NY.org and Make the Most of Public Transit this Presidents Day

image by Joe Shlabotnik used under Creative Commons license

On Feb. 21, we celebrate Presidents Day, a federal holiday commemorating the birthdays of our first and 16th presidents - George Washington and Abraham Lincoln - respectively. As Presidents Day approaches, we may wonder what life was like when those leaders were alive.

Technology has improved immensely since the 18th and 19th centuries, including transportation. When Washington led our nation, people and goods traveled on land by horse-drawn wagons, coaches and carriages. Oxen and mules also pulled wagons and carts, loaded with goods and personal property from one destination to the other. In Lincoln’s time, new ways to travel were developing, such as trains and ferries, and the Erie Canal was thriving. Today, we have countless forms of land transportation, including public transit, which is available to all citizens.

This Presidents Day, in addition to taking advantage of any special events, make the most of public transit – take the bus, train, subway or ferry to explore the stores around the region! Visit 511NY.org to plan your trip or to check out real-time transit conditions. 511NY also has a new mobile app: click here to find out more information on how to download it onto your smartphone.