My question is when is it the safest time to ride the subway and the city buses? I have never been to NYC and a group of us from UWO is going there for spring break and we need to know when it is safe to ride and when it is not safe to ride.

New York safety questions always amuse me. The mean streets of NYC. Yes New York is hyper competitive and things happen, sometimes bad things but chances are you will experience nothing to jeopardize your safty...regarding public transport just use your common sense. No need to ride the subways a 4am after drinking all night. But even at this hr you'll be surprised how many New Yorkers are using the mass transit at all hrs. Enjoy!

As a visitor to NYC I have rode the bus and subway at all times of day and night. I never felt uncomfortable or unsafe, and I don't just ride around Manhattan.