Responsibilities

Your main responsibility as a Transit Liaison is to ensure that all attendees are able to get home safely and on time, especially at the end of the events. Your role is vital for helping attendees navigate public transportation, guiding them through the transit process, and ensuring that everyone leaves the event feeling confident and secure in their travel plans. This is especially important for attendees who may be unfamiliar with the area or public transit options, such as first-time event-goers.

During the event, you'll provide clear information about available transit options. This includes train schedules (e.g., LIRR, subway), bus routes, and any alternative travel methods, ensuring that attendees know how to get to and from the event location.

• For most of our attendees, this may be their first time using a particular transit service or navigating a specific area. Your job is to make their travel experience as stress-free as possible. This means answering any questions they may have about routes, schedules, or transfer points.
• In some cases, attendees may feel more comfortable traveling in groups, especially if they are new to public transit. See if someone else is able to carpool them back home, but do not pressure them into doing so.
• If you encounter an attendee who is stranded after the event—whether they missed their train, bus, or are having trouble finding their way—it’s important that they get home safe. Help them get home safely.
  • Offer clear directions to the nearest transportation options or help them figure out the next best available transit. If the trains or buses are no longer running, help them find the closest stations or alternative routes they might not be aware of.
    • Example: "There’s a bus stop a few blocks down that can take you to the nearest station. Or, if the subway isn’t an option right now, the next LIRR train should be available at Hicksville. Here's the best route to get there.”
  • If there are other attendees still at the event who are heading in the same direction, suggest they try carpooling together. However, do not get directly involved in offering rides or asking others to give a ride, as it may set an expectation for future events. Encourage attendees to make their own arrangements or ask if anyone feels comfortable carpooling.
    • Example: "I’ve noticed FurryWaifu is heading toward Queens. Maybe you could check with them to see if they’re comfortable carpooling? It’s always best to travel together when you can. I can ask them.”
  • If the options seem limited, point out alternative public transit methods (even if they take longer) or services like rideshare options (Uber, Lyft).
  • Ensure you’re not offering personal transportation or making financial arrangements for them. If they seem desperate or uncomfortable with your suggestions, remain sympathetic, but stick to offering guidance rather than taking on responsibility. Offering rides or making financial arrangements may unintentionally create expectations for future events and will put you in an uncomfortable position. Instead, focus on empowering attendees to make their own arrangements, while ensuring they feel safe and supported throughout the process.

Stranded Attendee

In the event that all other options for getting someone home safely have been exhausted—such as they are unable to find an alternate form of transportation, cannot carpool with others, or public transit is no longer available—you may need to take additional steps. However, it is important to maintain boundaries and avoid becoming personally financially involved unless absolutely necessary.

• Contact the NYFurs host or the event organizer for assistance. They may have emergency funding or resources available to help with transportation costs or making arrangements for the attendee’s safe return home.
• If you are given the go-ahead to assist the attendee with funding or transportation, make sure the solution is appropriate for the situation and in line with NYF policies. The easiest method would be to order an Uber/Lyft to their home.
• Once the situation is resolved, gently remind the attendee that while you were able to help this time, it’s always best to plan their transit in advance for future events. See if they can pay you back in the future. Offer resources on public transportation, carpooling groups, and the importance of arriving early to ensure they can get home without issues.

Getting personally involved in transportation should always be considered a last resort. Relying too heavily on event funds or organizers can lead to reliance on this support, which is not sustainable for long-term events. However, when the situation is truly urgent and other methods have failed, it’s essential to ensure the person is safely taken care of and has a clear understanding of the importance of future planning.