Getting to the event
GOTB 2022 will likely be virtual. When the event is not virtual, there are many ways to get to New York City and we are here to help you.
GOTB 2022 will likely be virtual. When the event is not virtual, there are many ways to get to New York City and we are here to help you.
Bus Pick Up Locations
Here is a list of pick-up locations and all the relevant details. If you would like your pick-up location listed, please email [email protected].
Boston/Eastern Mass
There will be a bus pick-up in Cambridge, Mass. at the bus stop at the Alewife MBTA Station, located at the end of the Red Line and just off of exit 61 on Route 2. There is a parking garage at the station, cost $7/day. You must sign up for this bus in advance - do not show up and expect a seat. Sign up for this bus when you Register Online.
Meeting time is tentatively 5:30 am. The last bus will leave promptly at 6:00 am. No refunds will be made for latecomers. This is too early in the morning to use public transportation, but if you carpool in the morning, you can take the T or bus home. We expect to return to Alewife by 11:00 pm.
Southeastern Mass/Cape Cod area - If you are close enough, take the Alewife bus or email us to find out if anyone is organizing transportation in your area.
Central/Western Mass. - Bus pickups in the Worcester area are TBD. Contact the GOTB team.
Maine area - Email the GOTB team if you're looking to connect with other travelers leaving from Portland, Maine.
Central New York - Email the GOTB team if you're looking to connect with other travelers from Central New York.
Connecticut - Email the GOTB team if you're looking to connect with other travelers from Connecticut.
Vermont - Email the GOTB team if you're looking to connect with other travelers from Vermont.
New Hampshire - Email the GOTB team if you're looking to connect with other travelers from New Hampshire.
Basic Guidelines for Passengers Traveling from Boston
You MUST reserve and pay for your bus seat through GOTB by the deadline. Register online now.
If the total number of passengers in your group changes, please let us know immediately. There will not be room for last-minute, unregistered passengers.
Make sure you can get to the MBTA station without public transportation (it is too early for most city buses and subways).
The bus often stops for dinner on the way home (at a fast-food joint) . So bring some extra cash if you want food.
Bring $1-2 for the bus driver tip (recommended).
Here is a list of pick-up locations and all the relevant details. If you would like your pick-up location listed, please email [email protected].
Boston/Eastern Mass
There will be a bus pick-up in Cambridge, Mass. at the bus stop at the Alewife MBTA Station, located at the end of the Red Line and just off of exit 61 on Route 2. There is a parking garage at the station, cost $7/day. You must sign up for this bus in advance - do not show up and expect a seat. Sign up for this bus when you Register Online.
Meeting time is tentatively 5:30 am. The last bus will leave promptly at 6:00 am. No refunds will be made for latecomers. This is too early in the morning to use public transportation, but if you carpool in the morning, you can take the T or bus home. We expect to return to Alewife by 11:00 pm.
Southeastern Mass/Cape Cod area - If you are close enough, take the Alewife bus or email us to find out if anyone is organizing transportation in your area.
Central/Western Mass. - Bus pickups in the Worcester area are TBD. Contact the GOTB team.
Maine area - Email the GOTB team if you're looking to connect with other travelers leaving from Portland, Maine.
Central New York - Email the GOTB team if you're looking to connect with other travelers from Central New York.
Connecticut - Email the GOTB team if you're looking to connect with other travelers from Connecticut.
Vermont - Email the GOTB team if you're looking to connect with other travelers from Vermont.
New Hampshire - Email the GOTB team if you're looking to connect with other travelers from New Hampshire.
Basic Guidelines for Passengers Traveling from Boston
You MUST reserve and pay for your bus seat through GOTB by the deadline. Register online now.
If the total number of passengers in your group changes, please let us know immediately. There will not be room for last-minute, unregistered passengers.
Make sure you can get to the MBTA station without public transportation (it is too early for most city buses and subways).
The bus often stops for dinner on the way home (at a fast-food joint) . So bring some extra cash if you want food.
Bring $1-2 for the bus driver tip (recommended).
Hiring a Bus to NYC
1. Buses generally have 47-55 seats. You should check on the availability of buses that are the right size for you. (Some companies may offer "mini-buses.")
2. You may want to rent one or more 8-15 passenger vans. Budget (www.budget.com), Rent a Wreck (www.rentawreck.com) and U-Save (www.usave.com) both rent to drivers under 25-years-old. (Check state laws.)
3. If you live north of Boston or a couple of hours away from Boston, you may choose to stay overnight in the Boston area and reserve seats on one of the buses organized by AI Group 133. Email us if you need housing.
4. If you'd like to charter a bus, an excellent source for information is the website www.busrates.com: a free database of companies that charter their own buses, rather than using brokers. (Brokers may be less reliable and more expensive.) You can verify a company's ownership, safety rating and insurance at: http://www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx. Remember: safety and reliability may be more important than price.
5. Bus drivers cannot drive for more than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off-duty; on long trips, cost may include a hotel room for the driver. (Some companies will swap drivers on the way.)
6. Charters are usually priced by the hour or by the mile if trips average over 275 miles per day. A 10 % deposit is usually required 2-4 weeks in advance (the sooner the better, since bus availability may be limited), and full payment may be due a week before the trip. You should ask group members for a deposit in advance so you aren't stuck paying the deposit if people cancel or don't show up.
7. Choose a realistic pick-up time (allow an extra 15 minutes or so), and make sure everyone in your group knows the bus will be leaving on time.
8. Decide on an appropriate pick-up location (safe, well-lit, easily accessible, open 24 hours, with ample free parking). Post clear directions. (If using MapQuest, remember that people may be coming from different directions.)
9. Make sure the bus company and your bus driver have detailed directions for your pick-up and drop-off locations through out the day.
10. Establish a per-person bus fee based on the number of people expected and total transportation cost. We recommend you base the fee on a conservative seat count (example, base the fee on filling 35 seats of a 49-seat bus). You can grant participants a refund on the event day, if you've collected more than you need.
11. Set a passenger registration deadline. We suggest setting a deadline of March 17th.
12. Make sure your passengers have also registered for GOTB.
13. It's a good idea to make sure there is someone knowledgeable about first aid in each vehicle. Also, make sure all your passengers have your cell phone number and any other emergency numbers.
14. Email [email protected] with your contact information, price, deadline, and pick-up location and we will post it on the GOTB website.
15. Get permission from parents and school as needed.
* Present the Safety and Security letter -- the more organized and professional the presentation (especially by students) the better!
* Make the educational connection by:
o Emphasizing that GOTB is a practical application of American citizenship.
o Making connections to social studies curricula.
o Showing how these issues are the results of studied American and world histories, world and national politics.
o Having students write up reports about the issues being protested, the more academic, the better.
1. Buses generally have 47-55 seats. You should check on the availability of buses that are the right size for you. (Some companies may offer "mini-buses.")
2. You may want to rent one or more 8-15 passenger vans. Budget (www.budget.com), Rent a Wreck (www.rentawreck.com) and U-Save (www.usave.com) both rent to drivers under 25-years-old. (Check state laws.)
3. If you live north of Boston or a couple of hours away from Boston, you may choose to stay overnight in the Boston area and reserve seats on one of the buses organized by AI Group 133. Email us if you need housing.
4. If you'd like to charter a bus, an excellent source for information is the website www.busrates.com: a free database of companies that charter their own buses, rather than using brokers. (Brokers may be less reliable and more expensive.) You can verify a company's ownership, safety rating and insurance at: http://www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx. Remember: safety and reliability may be more important than price.
5. Bus drivers cannot drive for more than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off-duty; on long trips, cost may include a hotel room for the driver. (Some companies will swap drivers on the way.)
6. Charters are usually priced by the hour or by the mile if trips average over 275 miles per day. A 10 % deposit is usually required 2-4 weeks in advance (the sooner the better, since bus availability may be limited), and full payment may be due a week before the trip. You should ask group members for a deposit in advance so you aren't stuck paying the deposit if people cancel or don't show up.
7. Choose a realistic pick-up time (allow an extra 15 minutes or so), and make sure everyone in your group knows the bus will be leaving on time.
8. Decide on an appropriate pick-up location (safe, well-lit, easily accessible, open 24 hours, with ample free parking). Post clear directions. (If using MapQuest, remember that people may be coming from different directions.)
9. Make sure the bus company and your bus driver have detailed directions for your pick-up and drop-off locations through out the day.
10. Establish a per-person bus fee based on the number of people expected and total transportation cost. We recommend you base the fee on a conservative seat count (example, base the fee on filling 35 seats of a 49-seat bus). You can grant participants a refund on the event day, if you've collected more than you need.
11. Set a passenger registration deadline. We suggest setting a deadline of March 17th.
12. Make sure your passengers have also registered for GOTB.
13. It's a good idea to make sure there is someone knowledgeable about first aid in each vehicle. Also, make sure all your passengers have your cell phone number and any other emergency numbers.
14. Email [email protected] with your contact information, price, deadline, and pick-up location and we will post it on the GOTB website.
15. Get permission from parents and school as needed.
* Present the Safety and Security letter -- the more organized and professional the presentation (especially by students) the better!
* Make the educational connection by:
o Emphasizing that GOTB is a practical application of American citizenship.
o Making connections to social studies curricula.
o Showing how these issues are the results of studied American and world histories, world and national politics.
o Having students write up reports about the issues being protested, the more academic, the better.
Raise your voice! Photo by Kelly Turley
Taking a Train to NYC
Depending on location, time, and budget, it may be easiest to take the train to New York. Immediate options for those outside of the city but within a roughly-75 mile radius include MTA Metro-North, the MTA Long Island Railroad or New Jersey Transit.
These tickets are generally cheaper than Amtrak (MetroNorth has discounted rates for off-peak, or less busy, hours) and local train stations have paid parking options. MetroNorth arrives at Grand Central Station (42nd Street and Park Ave. in Midtown) and the others (Amtrak, New Jersey Transit and Long Island Railroad) arrive at Penn Station (31st Street, between 7th and 8th Avenue).
Depending on location, time, and budget, it may be easiest to take the train to New York. Immediate options for those outside of the city but within a roughly-75 mile radius include MTA Metro-North, the MTA Long Island Railroad or New Jersey Transit.
These tickets are generally cheaper than Amtrak (MetroNorth has discounted rates for off-peak, or less busy, hours) and local train stations have paid parking options. MetroNorth arrives at Grand Central Station (42nd Street and Park Ave. in Midtown) and the others (Amtrak, New Jersey Transit and Long Island Railroad) arrive at Penn Station (31st Street, between 7th and 8th Avenue).
Getting to Cooper Union
Check-in and the morning opening event is at The Cooper Union's Great Hall, at 7 East 7th Street at Third Avenue.
From Grand Central Station:
* Take the 4, 5 or 6 trains downtown.
* Get off at 14th STREET - UNION SQUARE STATION.
* Walk 1/2 mile south. There should be signs.
From Penn Station:
* Take the R-train to BAY RIDGE-95th Street.
* Get off at 8th Street NYU STATION. (Downtown).
* Walk 1/4 mile Southeast. There should be signs.
Driving:
* Click here to get directions from your starting point to Cooper Union's Great Hall.
Check-in and the morning opening event is at The Cooper Union's Great Hall, at 7 East 7th Street at Third Avenue.
From Grand Central Station:
* Take the 4, 5 or 6 trains downtown.
* Get off at 14th STREET - UNION SQUARE STATION.
* Walk 1/2 mile south. There should be signs.
From Penn Station:
* Take the R-train to BAY RIDGE-95th Street.
* Get off at 8th Street NYU STATION. (Downtown).
* Walk 1/4 mile Southeast. There should be signs.
Driving:
* Click here to get directions from your starting point to Cooper Union's Great Hall.
Taking Public Transportation within Manhattan
Taking the Public Bus within Manhattan
1. Download a comprehensive map of MTA bus routes throughout Manhattan.
2. Manhattan subway and bus schedules and maps are available at http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/
3. For a personalized transit map in NYC, visit http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork. You can enter your starting address, and ending (7 E. 7th Street) and you will be given the best subway/bus routes to get to the Cooper Union from your starting location.
Taking the Subway within Manhattan
1. View a comprehensive map of the New York City Subway system.
2. Manhattan subway and bus schedules and maps are available at http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/
3. For a personalized transit map in NYC, visit http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork. You can enter your starting address, and ending (7 E. 7th Street) and you will be given the best subway/bus routes to get to the Cooper Union from your starting location.
Taking the Public Bus within Manhattan
1. Download a comprehensive map of MTA bus routes throughout Manhattan.
2. Manhattan subway and bus schedules and maps are available at http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/
3. For a personalized transit map in NYC, visit http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork. You can enter your starting address, and ending (7 E. 7th Street) and you will be given the best subway/bus routes to get to the Cooper Union from your starting location.
Taking the Subway within Manhattan
1. View a comprehensive map of the New York City Subway system.
2. Manhattan subway and bus schedules and maps are available at http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/
3. For a personalized transit map in NYC, visit http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork. You can enter your starting address, and ending (7 E. 7th Street) and you will be given the best subway/bus routes to get to the Cooper Union from your starting location.
Driving to NYC and Parking Information
Since we are on a tight schedule, please give yourself ample time to drive to New York, factoring in morning traffic and parking challenges.
Driving Directions: Click here to view a Googlemap of Cooper Union's Great Hall and to enter your starting point. If you will arrive after the opening plenary, please see the schedule page to see where we will be.
Parking: Parking in NYC is relatively expensive. The key to getting the best rate is to park as early as you can. Parking rates may increase by as much as $20 if you arrive by 10am as opposed to arriving at 8am. Some lots cannot accommodate SUVs or vans, and the price to park these vehicles is usually more expensive than a standard sized car.
You can purchase prepaid New York City parking cards online in denominations of $20 and $50. Parking cards allow you to park at any parking field or on-street meters in the city. For details, go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/parking/municard.html. For New York City parking rules, go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/parking/parking.shtml
Since we are on a tight schedule, please give yourself ample time to drive to New York, factoring in morning traffic and parking challenges.
Driving Directions: Click here to view a Googlemap of Cooper Union's Great Hall and to enter your starting point. If you will arrive after the opening plenary, please see the schedule page to see where we will be.
Parking: Parking in NYC is relatively expensive. The key to getting the best rate is to park as early as you can. Parking rates may increase by as much as $20 if you arrive by 10am as opposed to arriving at 8am. Some lots cannot accommodate SUVs or vans, and the price to park these vehicles is usually more expensive than a standard sized car.
You can purchase prepaid New York City parking cards online in denominations of $20 and $50. Parking cards allow you to park at any parking field or on-street meters in the city. For details, go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/parking/municard.html. For New York City parking rules, go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/parking/parking.shtml
Buy a GOTB t-shirt! $15! Photo by Kelly Turley
Things You Should Know Before Coming to NYC
Regardless of how you are getting to New York City, you should familiarize yourself with the following information:
* Know where to be and when. Check out the schedule of event times and locations. The day will start at 10:00 am
* Once you get off your bus, van, etc, (at 10:00 am) you will not have access to it again until later that afternoon. Plan to take your lunch, signs, and other items with you for the day. We suggest a backpack to keep your hands free to hold the signs.
* While we will have lots of signs there, we invite you to create and bring your own. Use wording that supports human rights, prisoner of conscience, etc. NOTE: the law prohibits us to have signs with poles or stakes.
* You may want to take city transportation between the protest locations. Bring some cash to pay your fare.
* Bring a pen, as we will have petitions to sign on site.
* Try to bring a sack lunch, and a backpack to carry it in. If not, bring money for lunch (there is a one-hour lunch break). We highly suggest the sack lunch option. Can you imagine 1,000 people trying to go out to eat at the same time?
* We suggest making phone calls Thursday night to remind your group to be ready for the trip. Buses will leave on time and will not wait for late-comers.
* Bring $15 for a GOTB t-shirt if you'd like to purchase one (optional).
* Let teachers, friends or family know an emergency phone number in case they need it.
Regardless of how you are getting to New York City, you should familiarize yourself with the following information:
* Know where to be and when. Check out the schedule of event times and locations. The day will start at 10:00 am
* Once you get off your bus, van, etc, (at 10:00 am) you will not have access to it again until later that afternoon. Plan to take your lunch, signs, and other items with you for the day. We suggest a backpack to keep your hands free to hold the signs.
* While we will have lots of signs there, we invite you to create and bring your own. Use wording that supports human rights, prisoner of conscience, etc. NOTE: the law prohibits us to have signs with poles or stakes.
* You may want to take city transportation between the protest locations. Bring some cash to pay your fare.
* Bring a pen, as we will have petitions to sign on site.
* Try to bring a sack lunch, and a backpack to carry it in. If not, bring money for lunch (there is a one-hour lunch break). We highly suggest the sack lunch option. Can you imagine 1,000 people trying to go out to eat at the same time?
* We suggest making phone calls Thursday night to remind your group to be ready for the trip. Buses will leave on time and will not wait for late-comers.
* Bring $15 for a GOTB t-shirt if you'd like to purchase one (optional).
* Let teachers, friends or family know an emergency phone number in case they need it.
