For many people heading into New York City, the workday starts long before they reach the office.

For Mike Mangan, commuting is a carefully timed routine—one that depends on trains running on schedule, smooth transfers, and a bit of luck.

His morning begins at the platform, waiting for the 8:17 a.m. train. From there, it’s a 25-minute ride to Newark Penn Station, followed by a transfer toward New York City.

But during rush hour, even a small delay can quickly snowball. “Whichever is going to have the least turbulence and issues, I’ll take that one,” Mangan said. He makes the trip four days a week, sometimes choosing between the train or the bus, depending on which seems more reliable that day. While he says the commute doesn’t bother him as much as it might others, it’s far from stress-free. “It has its moments where it’s frustrating,” he said. “But I think if I was driving or doing any other way into the city, it would be just as frustrating.” The stakes are higher than just getting to work on time. As a father, Mangan plans his schedule carefully so he can be home to pick up his kids. Missing one connection can throw everything off. “I’ll go in early so I can pick up the kids, but if I miss a certain train, who’s going to pick them up?” he said. “It’s not like a bus where one comes every 10 to 20 minutes—sometimes it’s an hour.”

On one particular morning, what should have been a 9:10 a.m. arrival at New York Penn Station turned into a longer journey. By 9:27 a.m., he was still in transit, waiting for his third train of the commute.

That unpredictability is part of what inspired Mangan to start documenting his daily trips on TikTok—giving others a real-time look at the challenges many commuters face. “Boredom… complete boredom,” he said. “Trying to make it more fun and less stressful.”

After multiple transfers—including a subway ride through Times Square and a final shuttle—Mangan eventually arrives at work nearly 90 minutes after he started. “I think in the end, it’s fine,” he said. “I don’t love it, but if you want to work in the city and not live in the city, you’re going to have to commute.” For Mangan, it’s a routine shared by thousands across the region—one he’s turned into something relatable for others navigating the same daily grind.