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The 5 Best Mass Transit Systems in the World

April 24, 2008

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As we all put our thinking caps on for this “save the environment” thing, and Americans begin to scream under the weight of rising fuel costs, one of the best ways around leaving a giant carbon footprint, or paying an arm and a leg, is to take the bus. Or the train. Or a subway.


Image from Wolmot

After all, why take a car? CNN filmed people paying for gas yesterday like it was news!

So, without further ado here are the five best places for you to be shacked up on this planet if you want to have somebody else take you from place to place.

5. Chicago

The huge Chicago Transit Authority covers the Windy City as well as 40 suburbs and operates 24 hours a day, moving 1.6 Million people daily. With over 144 stations for the elevated train, not much of the city is out of range for the famed “el.” There are even commuter rail spurs that go as far away as South Bend, Indiana. Nice.


Image from swanksalot

4. Paris

The Paris Metro boasts being both the second-most heavily trafficked subway system in the world, carrying 4.5 Million people every day, and having more stations closer to one another than any other system– 245 stations in 41 square kilometers. You might want to bring a book to escape from the sardine can.


Image from ancama_99

3. London

London, which features the oldest subway system in the world, moves 3.4 million people every day on the tube alone, but that’s only part of the story. Transport for London, the comprehensive system administered from the mayor’s office, operates light and commuter rail and buses, and offers comprehensive trip and traffic information in real-time on their website.Traveling on the tube is not a particularly pleasant experience, but is by far the most efficient way to get round.


Image from Kayodeak

2. New York

One in every three mass transit users in the entire United States, uses the New York system or if you like, 4.5 Million people a day. They’re so effective as a matter of fact, that New York is the only city in the U.S. where more than half of the households don’t own a car. Up to 75% of the population of Manhattan is without four-wheeled transport. Now that’s a statistic to beat.


Image from smoothdude

1. Hong Kong

For sheer volume, Hong Kong is the most effective system in the world: 90% of all traveling is done by mass transit. The 7 million daily riders have access to something known as an “octopus card” which is accepted as currency not just to move them around the city, but also at parking meters, convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants. Looking towards the future, shouldn’t all cities be copying this system?


Image from medwin

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Comments

199 Responses to “The 5 Best Mass Transit Systems in the World”

  1. AvatarRob O.
    1

    Sadly, I haven’t been on any of the mass transit systems listed here but I was quite impressed with the Moscow Metro system. Not only is it very fast & efficient, but its extremely affordable (downright cheap, I’d say) and the stations are so ornate that they resemble museums moreso than subways stops.

    Reply to this comment.
  2. Avatarkevin burt
    2

    move to chicago and rethink this list. i’ve travelled every one of these lines except for hong kong and can confidently say chicago has no place within this list. i ride the el everyday and can’t recall the last time i made it through a commute without some form of delay, overcrowding, stench of urine, broken temperature gauge, cta employee ineptitude, construction issue, electrical complication, ill communication, track derailment, etc… some of these issues are due to the passengers but 90% of the time it’s all on the cta.

    i live 3 miles from work and spend an hour each way. every day. if there were showers at work i’d start riding my bike, but until that happens i’m stuck.

    Reply to this comment.
  3. AvatarElizabeth
    3

    What about Moscow or St. Petersburg? They run every few minutes, are gorgeous, and are hugely expansive.

    Reply to this comment.
  4. Avatardodo
    4

    I second the preceding poster’s opinion on the Chicago metro system. I also suggest you take more time to visit Europe and Asia. I found most of the metro systems there to be superb to anything I’ve seen in North America.

    Reply to this comment.
  5. AvatarRK
    5

    3 miles? You can walk that in an hour… and cycling without pushing yourself wouldn’t make you sweaty enough to need a shower.

    Reply to this comment.
  6. Avatarcaustic
    6

    I would have to agree with kevin. I have lived in chicago all my live and thank good i dont have to rely on the Cta to get me to work. With all the construction and route cuts its horrible.

    Reply to this comment.
  7. AvatarGarrett
    7

    I’m totally shocked Tokyo didn’t make the cut. Despite the perception of packed sub lines I never experienced any of the pushing and shoving one sees in movies/documentaries. I endured far more shoulder-to-shoulder pressing on the Tube and Metro then I did on Tokyo’s subway lines. The bus system is extremely disciplined too.

    Reply to this comment.
  8. Avatarindra
    8

    singapore should be included. getting around in singapore, is very easy and convenient. Their train and bus system are linked.

    Reply to this comment.
  9. Avatardank
    9
  10. AvatarAiden
    10

    I think they are basing their Chicago choice on the fact of how far away you can get from where Mass Transit is worst.

    Reply to this comment.
  11. Avatarbm
    11

    I agree with burt. Compared to pretty much every European system I’ve been on the Chicago el is a disaster. The trains run infrequently, and unless you’re going somewhere in the center, chances are there isn’t a station nearby. Compare this to London, Berlin, Hamburg, or Moscow, which I have ridden a lot. All of these systems regardless of their flaws, get people to pretty much anywhere and do so in a timely manner. Chicago does not belong on this list.

    Reply to this comment.
  12. AvatarJohn Ng
    12

    I could vouch for Hong Kong’s mass transit system. I live in Hawaii which is known to have mass transit problems but I had no problems getting around Hong Kong. Their subway system is very fast, goes to communities so it’s quick, inexpensive, and come in very short intervals. Not only that, they have heavy busses(double deckers) and smaller busses that go directly from one place to another with little or no stops. Out of the heavy population of the city, there aren’t many traffic jams.

    Reply to this comment.
  13. AvatarSarah Barnes
    13

    Not including Berlin on this list is a huge oversight. Germany has one of the best public transit systems in the world. Efficient, punctual, quick - and Berlin’s is no exception.

    Reply to this comment.
  14. AvatarKevin
    14

    I’ve been to most major city in the states, just moved to Hong Kong a few months ago and let me tell you. Public transportation here is awesome. Every 3 minutes a train comes. Trains do not share tracks with each other, so you won’t have the issue the BART system in San Francisco has, waiting for the right train, or even the NY subway system. Basically you have to see it to believe it. It’s awesome here. Oh btw, Universal Health Care here, people get taxed only at 17% for income. Figures huh? Maybe money is well spent.

    Reply to this comment.
  15. AvatarBryan Seely
    15

    CHANGE THE LIST.

    Man.

    Tokyo is number 1 by far.

    Mass transit there moves 10 million plus a day. 121 train lines, with 1 train station -Shinjuku- that does 3.52 million a day. A F__ing day . With some of the most complex, high speed, efficient, and clean trains / subways in the world.

    This beats hong kong HANDS DOWN.

    Do some research before you publish an article.

    CITING:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_in_Greater_Tokyo

    Reply to this comment.
  16. AvatarRyan
    16

    All of Japan and Moscow are easily better than NYC or Chicago. If anything for their complete punctuality.

    Reply to this comment.
  17. AvatarBjorn
    17

    Singapore is world renowned for its clean and efficient mass-rapid systems. Automatic driverless trains and suberbly designed stations all add to the experience. How they are not included in this list is a mystery.

    Reply to this comment.
  18. AvatarBillinSD
    18

    How could you miss Singapore or Tokyo?

    I agree that Chicago should not be here, having also ridden in Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Chicago and Southern California.

    Reply to this comment.
  19. AvatarWeldon
    19

    I’ve been all over Europe and Japan and NONE of the top 5 mass transit systems are in the US, I garuntee it. I’ve used the Chicago system several times and NY many times.

    You can’t consider “sprawl” as your only requirement for “best system”. There are many factors, such as, cleanliness, upkeep, construction, timing, how far it takes you, and cost.

    Take Germany for example. I lived there for a month and could walk down the street to my corner. From that corner I could get to almost any other corner IN THE COUNTRY for less than 100$. Also the cars were pristine (German people cared for them when they used them) and up to date (nice maps, low graffiti, electronic dot maps, computerized announcements in 3 languages which you REALLY appreciate if you ever try to listen to the subway in NY. I fricking speak the language and I have no clue what they are saying “abaklsdhflkajbkajhsdfkhj” is about what it sounds like.”)

    Now I live in Japan, where the price is higher but the trains are faster and nicer and the concept of “on time” is more of a religion.

    You might also consider lower level systems such as Chile. Sure they have no trains but there is a high concentration of collective cabs that make owning a car there a practically silly endevour. I could get anywhere in the city by walking out my front door and waiting between 1-3 min. for a cab to pass by, then paying 75cents and getting off whenever I wanted to (they go by routes). Also I could shell out 2$ and take one an hour away to a city on the beach. The bus system is rather hectic, but there is always transportation. You just go to the station and find out when the next bus is leaving for whever and buy a ticket. There’s always a bus, since that’s what everybody uses to get around.

    Reply to this comment.
  20. AvatarSean Byron
    20

    You missed Tokyo (and all of Japan, in general). More efficient and comprehensive than any of the above selections.

    Reply to this comment.
  21. AvatarNikhil Jhawar
    21

    I would also add the Mumbai subarban train system to the list. For four reasons…..
    1. It carries close to 7.5M people daily
    2. Cost per ride is 10 Cents
    3. The frequency: A train every 3 minutes six weeks a day
    4. 94% accuracy for time

    Reply to this comment.
  22. AvatarOscar
    22

    has Madrid been considered as an option?

    I’ve been in Paris and Madrid. Madrid is way more modern … and faster …

    Reply to this comment.
  23. Avatarglate
    23

    I agree Kevin, whoever wrote this list obviously doesn’t take transit.

    Curitiba, Brazil has a much cheaper and more efficient transit system than most of the places on this list.

    Reply to this comment.
  24. Avatarjumba
    24

    The cta is good, but when there’s christmas fireworks at navy pier its a disaster. I remember once they told some people to get off due to the bus being to full and shortly thereafter they put more people in the bus. It was crazy.

    Reply to this comment.
  25. AvatarIts Me
    25

    CTA is FAR FROM A WORLD CLASS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. Chicago’s CTA does not belong on this list. Yes, its massive and can take you many places. However, the CTA is awful. Trains have derailed twice in the past few months. Even the evacuation was chaotic. The CTA is always short of funding. Every year, public money needs to bail the CTA out because of poor management.

    From experience, riding public transportation in Chicago is dangerous. My sister was assaulted by a random stranger. Gang bangers run up and down each train car and harass passengers. Ive seen dried blood all over train car poles, leading to a puddle on the ground. Was never cleaned up.

    There is no point of train or bus schedules since they run at their most convenience. I once waited for a CTA bus for AN HOUR, and was late to work. I have waited for a train at the worst 45 minutes, and was late to class. Bus drivers do not care, train operators do not care.

    Never on time, is always inconvenient, dirty and stinks, most of the time crowded, no security whatsoever, bus drivers tend to run over pedestrians… I could go on and on. Please take the CTA off your list. The lists’ credibility is in question.

    Reply to this comment.
  26. AvatarWeldon
    26

    Forgot to mention that in Germany we had to pay a tax of 2$ a day (about 60$ a month) and that covered local transit. We lived in a collection of about 175 small villages spread over a huge section of the black forest in southwestern Germany. Rail transit connected all the villages and had trains in and out of all of them several times a day. Basically nobody drove anywhere (except in the one larger city).

    Also the biggest difference I’ve noticed abroad in subway systems in noise level. In NY and Chicago it sounds like you are freaking on the tracks in a convertible. I was downright terrified the first time I rode in NY after taking only European transit for a month.

    Reply to this comment.
  27. AvatarRob
    27

    Even though I am not religious, I thank God that Melbourne ’s Transport system is not on this list. Incessantly delayed trains, prohibitively high ticket prices, bullying ticket inspectors and myki?, ha another cost blowout in down under(for excellence)

    Reply to this comment.
  28. AvatarDetrus
    28

    Well I experience the New York Subway day and night. I would say on average the experience has been negative.

    This is a list of heavily used, big, and functional subways, not a list for positive riding experiences.

    Also they must have closed some mental health facilities in New York and bums rule the subways at night. During the day, the stench and dirt from their clothes is on the seats. It is not very visible, just makes the seats look darker with some black streaks, but you will remember where you sat if you smell your own clothes.

    Reply to this comment.
  29. AvatarFred
    29

    Chicago??? Are you joking?!

    Reply to this comment.
  30. AvatarMolotovCat
    30

    I am from Chicago and currently live in Japan. Chicago lost its place on this list well over 30 years ago. Tokyo has the same system that Hong Kong does, including the pass cards that can be used at restaurants and convenience stores. Why isn’t it on the list?

    Reply to this comment.
  31. AvatarPaul
    31

    Interesting theme but I think you missed Moscow and Tokyo. The Moscow Metro carries over 7 million people per day and has stations that look like museums. Tokyo’s trains are so punctual that you could set your watch to them.

    Reply to this comment.
  32. AvatarSucka MC
    32

    The Paris system is so complicated, its ridiculous. I cannot believe that the U Bahn/S Banh in Berlin failed to make this list. So efficient and easy to use, even if you don’t speak Deutch!

    Reply to this comment.
  33. AvatarDedrick Stone
    33

    move to chicago and rethink this list. i’ve travelled every one of these lines except for hong kong and can confidently say chicago has no place within this list. i ride the el everyday and can’t recall the last time i made it through a commute without some form of delay, overcrowding, stench of urine, broken temperature gauge, cta employee ineptitude, construction issue, electrical complication, ill communication, track derailment, etc… some of these issues are due to the passengers but 90% of the time it’s all on the cta.
    i live 3 miles from work and spend an hour each way. every day. if there were showers at work i’d start riding my bike, but until that happens i’m stuck.

    I agree 100% When I read that the CTA was so high, I began to question the validity of the entire article. I don’t know one person who actually enjoys riding the CTA. I guess from a statistics stand-point it may move a lot of people, but it takes a long time and you’re lucky if there are no delays. I only hope that the constant consruction will start to show that it is working to make it a better, faster service.

    Reply to this comment.
  34. Avatarrs
    34

    Uh, it’s hard to figure a list such as this without mention of Tokyo. I know we’re all free to make stuff like this up, but I think you might have thought this one out a little better before posting. (Or traveled more, perhaps.)

    Reply to this comment.
  35. AvatarDude
    35

    I can’t believe you forgot Tokyo, their subway/train system is definitely one of the most reliable and efficient. Did you even think about this article before you made it?

    Reply to this comment.
  36. AvatarAndy
    36

    New York is pretty bad. I’ve lived here all my life. Same description as Kevin Burt, but for NY. Always some sort of delays. Weekends, the train schedules are slower, and often have detours. Weekdays during rush hours, it’s sardines in a can.
    Hong Kong on the other hand is fantastic. All trains have estimates on when it is coming. Air conditioned stations. Each train comes around 5 minutes or less. Why is it so much better in Hong Kong, than everywhere else. One word, Competition. The trains are rivaled by the bus and van companies. Basically, where ever you want to go, you can take either a train, a van, a bus, or a taxi. And unbelievably, a bus ride is sometimes monumentally faster than a train ride. So there you have it, Competition.

    Reply to this comment.
  37. Avataral
    37

    I’d put Toronto and Montreal’s mass transit systems favourably up against New York’s for sure, haven’t been on any of the others, but I think you missed the most pleasant mass transit experiences in North America by skipping over those two.

    Reply to this comment.
  38. AvatarBen
    38

    I live in chicago and it’s decent but Seoul easily beats it, Paris and maybe even HK.

    Reply to this comment.
  39. Avatarjoe
    39

    I agree with kevin that Chicago has no business on this list.

    And how do you leave Tokyo off? It’s one of the most efficient systems in the world and handles more passengers than Hong Kong.

    Reply to this comment.
  40. AvatarDuncan
    40

    Very offside list:

    Madrid, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Many cities in Germany, Scandinavia … Chicago doesn’t belong, New York could maybe justify 5th…

    Reply to this comment.
  41. AvatarMitch
    41

    Chicago? Chicago? Have you ridden the el? The Chicago Transit Authority is a mess. It’s underfunded, poorly run, decrepit, and dangerous. The trains are unreliable and very, very slow and very, very noisy.

    It’s just a matter of time before there’s a fatal accident.

    Mitch

    Reply to this comment.
  42. AvatarJeff
    42

    @Kevin: I really don’t know what you’re talking about. I went to school in Chicago not to recently, and as a student, I used the el, not just once or twice a day, but literally multiple times a day. Not once did I have any sort of the problems you talk about. Is your definition of “delay” a 5 minute wait? Chicago’s transit is pure heaven compared to most place’s systems. Ever try to catch a bus in Louisville, KY? Expect to wait several hours since they only hit bus stops 5 or less times a day.

    Reply to this comment.
  43. AvatarJustin
    43
  44. Avatarrs
    44

    Uh, it’s hard to figure a list such as this without mention of Tokyo. I know we’re all free to make stuff like this up, but I think you might have thought this one out a little better before posting. (Or traveled more, perhaps.)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Subway

    7.8 million passengers/day and always, always on time (to the minute) unless someone jumps in front of a train. And these numbers don’t count the numerous private rail lines.

    Reply to this comment.
  45. Avatarnybbas
    45

    what a joke, tokyo isnt even on here? not to mention this “octopus card” they talk about, is the exact same thing that the tokyo lines use as well…

    Reply to this comment.
  46. Avatarx
    46

    You forgot Singapore.

    Reply to this comment.
  47. AvatarAlex
    47

    New York #2 you better be jocking!!! The worst system ever!! Never on time, always breaks down, undependable!!!

    The best system I know is in Russia, cleanest not a single gum on the floor, every station is like a palace, and train comes every 2min on the dot, never late.

    Reply to this comment.
  48. AvatarDT
    48

    What about Tokyo’s amazing system. Clean, always on time, and can get you anywhere you need.

    Reply to this comment.
  49. AvatarGanesh
    49

    In the above list, I have utilized both Paris and New York transit systems. I am surprised that Munich (Germany) is not mentioned. I think it is one of the cleanest mass transit systems considering the number of passengers utilizing it.

    Reply to this comment.
  50. AvatarVince
    50

    I agree with Kevin. The author has clearly never ridden the Chicago subway/el system. Every time I ride it I feel as if I’m one lazy worker forgetting to tighten a bolt away from a derailment. Also, I’ve ridden both the Tokyo and Osaka subway lines and found them to be VASTLY superior to anything in this country.

    Reply to this comment.
  51. AvatarSagem Hong Kong
    51

    I live in HK and can confirm the MTR is great. I remember a few months back that it was “news” that an MTR train was delayed for 10 minutes whilst they repaired a hairline crack on the rail. The news was that people were angry that their train was delayed for so long!

    Reply to this comment.
  52. AvatarPaul Johnson
    52

    i live 3 miles from work and spend an hour each way. every day. if there were showers at work i’d start riding my bike, but until that happens i’m stuck.

    Surely you can walk faster than 3 MPH without breaking a sweat…why not do that if you can’t keep up with street traffic on a bike without breaking a sweat?

    Reply to this comment.
  53. AvatarNazz
    53

    Whaaat? No Tokyo? Impossible. They have more trains than nearly anywhere on the planet. Shit, Shinjuku station alone moves about 4-5 million people a day. This is a bullshit list.

    Reply to this comment.
  54. AvatarDustin
    54

    Edmonton Albera definatly has one of the worst transit systems in the world

    Reply to this comment.
  55. AvatarCheryl
    55

    Shouldn’t Tokyo be on this list? You can get literally anywhere in Tokyo (and most of the suburbs) via their mass transit system. They’re multilingual (often in Japanese, English, and even Portuguese), constant, and no one can beat the Japan obsession with being exactly on time.

    Reply to this comment.
  56. AvatarDavid
    56

    I’m curious as to why Japan is nowhere to be found here. You can travel throughout the entire country for very little coin, and a train being late is nearly unheard of. In fact, when they DO run late, all passengers are given notes to hand off to employers as proof - otherwise, no one will believe you. The bus system is also extensive and very efficient. Also, bullet trains, anyone? Too cool.

    Reply to this comment.
  57. AvatarRyan Petty
    57

    I agree Chicago shouldn’t be anywhere on this list.

    If you haven’t used the Munich rail system with the S-Bahn (above ground trains) and the U-Bahn (underground), you are missing one of the best mass transit systems on the planet. The trains are exceptionally clean, stations are immaculate, and the interconnections between U-bahn and S-bahn are efficient. Coverage of Munich is exceptional. It doesn’t carry as many riders each day as Paris, London or New York, but it beats them all–hands down.

    Reply to this comment.
  58. Avatarcharles
    58

    The chicago transit authority should definately not be on this list. First of all, the said transportation to south bend indiana doesn’t run on the same pay system as the other trains, so thats a hassle. Second, construction has been going on for years now, and is really just not very efficient. Third, buses are late so often, it’s more guesswork than it is following a schedule. i’ve stood and waited for 3 scheduled buses to come, only to realize that they were never going to show up.

    Reply to this comment.
  59. Avatargeorge walker
    59

    kevin… if you’re three miles from work and it takes you an hour on cta, why not walk and save the aggravation?

    Reply to this comment.
  60. AvatarSteve
    60

    And the Tokyo system is what? Oh yes, the LARGEST mass transit system in the world with an estimated 20 million daily riders and over 100 different lines. Hong Kong is nice, sure, but it is tiny compared to Tokyo. I have been on every system on your list and Tokyo is the cleanest, most convenient and most on time in the world. Ben, how did you miss this one so completely? Here, let me help you out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_in_Greater_Tokyo

    Reply to this comment.
  61. AvatarMatthew Weflen
    61

    I have to second Mr. Burt’s comments. I commute via CTA in Chicago every day, and have done it for 10 years. It has gotten progressively worse each of those ten years. Where a trip from downtown to O’Hare via Blue Line used to take 30 minutes, now it’s a miracle to do it in under 50. Brown and Red lines are plagued by delays due to construction, with no end in sight. CTA management wastes billions of dollars on construction projects not tied to track fixes and improvements (doing nothing to address the aforementioned derailments, the most recent of which occurred last week), instead gussying up stations for wealthy north side riders.

    Coverage of the train system is incomplete and diminishing, as the CTA is soon to be closing one half of the Blue Line for good. Customers are forced to rely on buses, which on the South Side are 25+ years old and running down quickly. Bus bunching and therefore long waits are the norm, not the exception. Drivers frequently take long breaks and don’t give a rat’s patoot about keeping schedules, or picking up riders. Prices have increased but service has not improved. Routes which have hundreds of waiting riders per hour are ignored, while 3 empty buses for another route whiz by.

    Look, it’s better than having nothing and therefore having to rely on cars. It makes my life as a grad student possible. But if it’s the fifth best in the world, I weep for humanity.

    Reply to this comment.
  62. Avatarjackson_jim
    62

    If you live 3 miles from work… why don’t you just walk? Get in shape AND beat the system. 3 miles at a steady walking pace would only take about 35 minutes…

    Reply to this comment.
  63. Avatarj
    63

    for whoever said moscow up there, i almost agree - i vote st petersburg. theres a subway arrival at almost every 2 minutes there

    Reply to this comment.
  64. AvatarJeremy
    64

    Where is San Fransisco on this list? They have one of the most modern, clean and effective subways in the world…

    Reply to this comment.
  65. AvatarKeith
    65

    I don’t think these should be known as the Best Mass Transit Systems in the World. Perhaps, you may want to change the title to Busiest Mass Transit Systems instead. If I were to acknowledge the title of this post, I would simply say there are several more other countries that can be comparable, e.g. Singapore, Germany, China, etc.

    Reply to this comment.
  66. AvatarDave W
    66

    I can attest HK is simply amazing in regards to mass transit. It however also benefits from having what I believe to be the newest subway system out of the cities on this list which perhaps gives it a slight advantage. Either way, we can only wish every metropolitan city had mass transit systems such as the ones offered in the 5 cities above.

    Reply to this comment.
  67. AvatarHwhat!
    67

    New York and Chicago over Tokyo? Are you flipping insane? Maybe Paris and London, but even those I’m skeptical of..

    Kevin Burt, I agree with you as far as “Best in the World” but as for the USA, Chicago’s public transit is pretty impressive.

    I wish we had anything remotely like it here in Pittsburgh. We have two train lines that serve a tiny sliver of the southern suburbs, if you dont happen to live within walking distance of those two lines out of the city - you’re SOL as far as trains go.

    Reply to this comment.
  68. AvatarPeter
    68

    I was impressed with the mass transit system in Tokyo, Japan, as it goes above and below ground.

    Reply to this comment.
  69. AvatarKen
    69

    One major problem with Chicago’s mass transit is that it mainly runs on radials from the loop. As long as you are going to and from a point on the same radial, it is great. If you aren’t, there is a good chance that you will need to go to the loop to travel on the other radial to reach your destination. New York’s system is fair superior.

    Reply to this comment.
  70. AvatarTom
    70

    NY has an extensive system but it’s decaying. For the most part it’s reliable but there always seem to be delays when you can least afford them. Problem is, driving takes even longer and since Manhattan is an island, you pay almost triple the subway fare at many bridges and tunnels to enter or leave. The whole system needs a facelift. One great thing about NYC though is that we also have the PATH train that links with New Jersey, which you can transfer to from certain subway stations. For a fee of course. Don’t know of another system that links states together.

    I am surprised the BART system isn’t on the list, I’ve found it quite reliable and pretty thorough getting you around the Bay area, although it’s a bit pricey.

    The tube in London is great when I visit there. Haven’t been on the other systems yet.

    Hong Kong seems like it is the future of mass transit. The US should look at what they’re doing.

    Reply to this comment.
  71. AvatarJeramy
    71

    What about Seoul and Tokyo?

    Reply to this comment.
  72. AvatarTom
    72

    I’m agreeing with Kevin. Chicago (and any city with mass transit) gets an A for effort but no way is it one of the top five. Obviously, whoever made this list has never visited Tokyo. This list was made in a rush and without doing all the homework. Boooooo…

    Reply to this comment.
  73. AvatarMike T
    73

    i think the tokyo mass transit system deserves a place on this list. highly efficient, punctual, probably moves the most volume of passengers.

    Reply to this comment.
  74. AvatarSlut Bunwalla
    74

    All great systems listed here, but where is Tokyo?
    The combined Tokyo subway and Japan Rail regional system is at least #2 on this list. (I haven’t been to Hong Kong.) Tokyo should certainly kick Chicago off the list, and is much more comprehensive than NYC.

    That said, living in Atlanta makes me dream of living in a city where mass transit is taken seriously, and is an honest alternative to getting around.

    Reply to this comment.
  75. AvatarKeiyu
    75

    I’ve not been to Chicago or Paris, but I can confidently say that the inefficiency, stench, and overall degeneration of the London Tube and NY subway removes them from this list. If the criteria to be on this list was passenger traffic, then by all means keep them on (though you’re missing Tokyo then).

    If you’re talking about a pleasant experience, with clear signs, absolute cleanliness, 3 minutes or less waiting times, and general safety, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore can’t be beat.

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  76. Avatarwang
    76

    i’m mildly surprised that tokyo didn’t make the list, given that no one i know has a car and the trains will let you go about, anywhere in tokyo and to a lesser extent, japan.

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  77. AvatarE.I.
    77

    Washington DC?- it is probably the cleanest and one of the best in the states. The Chicago el is a horrible metro. London and NY are very dirty. Madrid is also better than London and NY. Rome should also be considered. You know very little about public transit.

    Reply to this comment.
  78. AvatarTynan Sylvester
    78

    True, Hong Kong MTR is awesome. It’s like living in the future.

    Reply to this comment.
  79. AvatarNightStalker
    79

    You obviously have never experienced the pleasures of the Singapore mass rapid transit system. It’s awesome.

    Reply to this comment.
  80. AvatarMike
    80

    Where the hell is Tokyo or at least the Shinkansen lines from Japan? I’ve ridden the trains in Chicago and while they were OK, the trains in Tokyo were extremely clean, pleasant, fast, and efficient. We were able to get all over the city with ease and I was amazed at how many people moved through the major stations every day. And riding the Shinkansen was the single most pleasant travel experience of my life.

    I agree with Kevin. Kick Chicago off this list. It’s crap.

    Reply to this comment.
  81. AvatarAnon
    81

    I can tell you’ve never ridden mass transit in NY. It sucks. No American city has transit that can even come close to anything they have in Europe. It’s a sad, sad truth.

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  82. AvatarDan
    82

    Yes, Chicago shouldn’t even be considered for this list, let alone be on it. Yes, it’s expansive, but it’s truly horrid. I need to buy myself a bike, because the CTA is garbage.

    Reply to this comment.
  83. AvatarTSB
    83

    Clearly this author has no idea what hes talking about of he put the NY Transit system over BART.

    Reply to this comment.
  84. AvatarWill
    84

    I think you are mistaken… Chicago sucks… NJ Transit is by far the best mass transit in the US. It connects NYC to Philadelphia and everything in between. Armpit of the future.

    Reply to this comment.
  85. AvatarAndrew
    85

    uh, what about TOKYO?! Tokyo has the most extensive rail system of any city in the world. It makes Hong Kong look like one of those piddly little trains at an amusement park, and the trains are so rarely late that you get a stamped card from the station master in the event there IS a late train so you can prove to your boss it’s why you were late. This list is terrible.

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  86. AvatarRyan
    86

    You completly left out Tokyo. The mass transit in Tokyo trumps all of them, I’m sure.
    Not only do you have Japan Rail operating the above ground trains all over Tokyo metropolis area, but you have two different companies, Tokyo Metro and Toei, who operate the subway systems.
    More people use Shinjuku station ALONE than most of the entier systems you’ve listed.

    According to Wikipedia:
    “…the station was used by an average of 3.52 million people per day in 2006, making it the busiest train station in the world in terms of number of passengers.”

    Not only that, but the commuter trains are so reliable, that if they are more than 5 minutes behind, they issue you a ‘late pass’ to give to your boss/teacher.

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  87. Avatarphil s
    87

    You live 3 miles from work and takes an hour on the CTA? You obviously are not doing something correctly.. I take a cta bus to the blue line, to the red line, to the yellow line. All under an hour, and much more then 3 miles. It doesnt count if you are walking 2 of the 3 miles ;)

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  88. Avatareric
    88

    As much as I love my city, I have to agree with Kevin here. The amount of work that has been put into the El has been enormous. And what has shown for it? Very little. Chicago and the state has had a big problem trying to fix this system that is slow, old, and inefficient. Even so, come to Chicago, amazing place.

    Reply to this comment.
  89. Avataryeah, right
    89

    What about Tokyo?

    Reply to this comment.
  90. AvatarChris
    90

    Curitiba, Brazil should definitely be on this list. The city’s bus system is incredible.

    Reply to this comment.
  91. Avatarpaul
    91

    I can’t believe you left out Tokyo. It has to be the largest mass transit system in the world both in terms of reach and passenger volume. It is punctual, clean and while famously crowded can be relied on in a way the London tube never can. Although, it must be admitted, they don’t have the London driver’s banter.

    Like the Hong Kong and London systems it uses a ‘touch and go’ style card you can also use at vending machines and stores. Peachy.

    Reply to this comment.
  92. AvatarMike
    92

    What about the Taipei MRT? It’s a lot better than New York!

    Reply to this comment.
  93. Avatartola
    93

    the best mass transit system in the world is in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

    It is not subsidized by the government. It will take a person from where they are to where they want to go at any time of the night or day. It does not waste fuel with half empty cars. It is the Cambo moto-dop system.

    Thousands of young, and older, men stand around at every corner in the city with their motor bikes. When a person needs to go somewhere they simply get on the back of the nearest one and off they go. Very convenient. Very cheap. And I would say the safety record would probably compare favorably.

    An added bonus, when not used for public transportation, the motor bikes are used for personal transportation and at 125 CC they are less polluting than the 6000 CC SUVs seen on the streets of western nations.

    EuthanasiaClinic.com

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  94. AvatarEnlightenment
    94

    Chicago is great because you can get off an airplane, then get on the mass transit to downtown.

    Los Angeles is one of the worst places that needs it. These idiots don’t even have mass transit right up to LAX. They had the chance to put in mass transit down the middle of new interstates, but heck no, they try to determine how to do it later. A bunch of idiots run Los Angeles and near by counties!!!

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  95. Avatartbird
    95

    where’s DC on this list?

    Reply to this comment.
  96. AvatarMTAsucks
    96

    HAHAH…this is the biggest joke of a list of “top mass transit systems in the world” I’ve ever seen. New York? The MTA is dirty, erratic, loud as hell and almost always under construction. So many people use it because it cost a fortune to park in Manhattan and the traffic is terrible.

    Hong Kong I will say is #1, but no mention of Tokyo? Beijing will be on this list by 2014.

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