“If you see a subway car in New York that’s empty, it’s empty for a reason:  someone died inside.”

Stories of the New York City subway are extremely popular amongst New York City residents — from horror stories of things seen in the subway, to close shaves with somewhat violent homeless people. According to the informant, this piece of advice has caused him to not enter an empty subway car, simply because, even if there’s no dead body inside, it’s bad luck. This belief is one of many urban legends about people dying on public transportation, especially the subway. Death on the subway may be an affecting topic because of the importance the subway has in the lives of people living in large cities.