Even though New York City has the most stations (there’s 472 of them!) out of any metro subway system in the world, London’s system is the oldest. And even though London’s is the oldest and NYC’s has the most stops, Tokyo’s system is the busiest.
Have you ever ridden on a subway? If so, was it ever a part of your daily commute? Have you never ridden on a subway before? (If not, you’re missing out on a lot of dripping slime and hungry rats! Sounds appealing, huh?)
Tell us in the poll below. If you ever used a subway system as part of your commute, please tell us about it in the comments.
I grew up in Chicago in the 50’s and 60’s, parents didn’t drive so I was stuck riding the “L” (subway) to get around along with buses. When I was in the Navy and overseas, I rode the subway in many coutries/cities including but not limited to the Underground in London, and Paris
In NYC when I was a kid on a school field trip, 50+ years ago
I said YES!. We’ve done it in a dozen different countries. Today’s ride was in Istanbul, Turkey. Home is Portland, OR where our RV is patiently waiting for us.
Vacation in London area, the Tube?
I rode in the NYC subway two times. Entering and exiting the area it smelled horrible. During my anesthesia I lived in Arlington, VA and commuted via the Metro. The D.C. Metro was a clean, quiet and wonderful system.
Rode BART in San Francisco during a week stay there back in 1990. Also rode DC subways on several sightseeing trips to DC.
Consulted on and installed the door operating system for the Taipei Metro back in the early 90’s. As a kid, was in DC in 69 when they broke ground for the Metro and when stationed there beginning in 77 rode it almost everyday to BUPERS from Rosslyn to Silver Springs.
Been on BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit ) system. Cool going under the SF Bay.
Most major US cities and a few European cities. Some I felt safe on and some not so safe but I never had an issue.
NY, DC and Chicago when I was in the Navy.
I have a deep appreciation for public transportation and enjoy riding it when I am fortunate to be traveling. Have ridden the subway in NYC, London, Boston, Madrid, D.C., and the trains and buses in lots of places including Guatemala, San Francisco, Mexico, Minneapolis and Chicago.
I grew up in Chicago. Nuff said.
Ah… good ol’ Chi-town. Rode the subway, then out of the ground up on to the EL, and on to buses. Years in trade school, work, and in the Army. Memories.
Mexico City, Atlanta Airport, New York City, and San Francisco.
Atlanta was a pain. New York was so much fun and nice people. Gritted my teeth and held my breath every time we went under the ocean floor in San Francisco. Sexually assaulted in Mexico City subway at the age of 15.
I’m sorry to hear about your assault.
Paris and I had my pocket picked!!
The Tube in London. Fast, clean and fun.
They tend to be fun, I like the DART Rail, Washington DC nice too, but the PATH from NJ to NYC was a blast, a rocking, rolling roller coaster, often in the dark.
NYC, Boston, DC, BART, San Francisco*, SanDiego*, Atlanta*, London, Paris, Rome, Toronto, Tokyo
As a tourist, or on business I have ridden many of the biggest in the US.
This will never reach the right ears but the ‘new’ user experience on every one of them has been horrible!
Here’s the list:
No instructions on how and where to pay fares.
The station ‘maps’ do not tell you which side of the track you need to be on (direction). Many times I guess wrong, go the wrong way have to get off cross over and go back).
No indication of how many stops until you need to get off.
The PA is horrible. impossible to comprehend platform instructions or on board train upcoming stops. This applies to airport trains also.
No station name signage easily visible so I know when to get off.
Let’s see, The Worst: DC Metro, NYC, Chicago EL, SF BART, Florida Tri Rail, and more.
The Best: ATL Airport system. Uses your phone location to navigate you in real time👍! Being free of course makes it easier. But other systems could do that and pay for fares on an App.
I commuted for many years on the DC Metro and am confused by your comments. There are several signs stating which side of the track to be on — before you go down the escalator and also poles with great signage when you get down to the platform. There are also maps of all the stops inside each car along with a sign hanging at the front of each car stating what stop you are arriving at, along with verbal announcements. It’s an incredibly easy system to figure out with each line being color coded.
I agree. My 10 year old grandson had no problem interpreting the DC Metro. He took over our on and offs on our second day in the area. Used Metro every day. Easy-peezy he said.
I grew up in the Dorchester section of Boston, in the 60’s. The “T” was our escape, of course you had to sneak on, past the station guys. Once on you could get anywhere, Downtown, Boston, Harvard Square, but make sure you were home before the street lights came on.
We lived in metro Boston for almost 2 years and I rode the “T” to get to work one of those years. We later lived in metro Washington, DC for 25 years and regularly used the “metro” to go to doctors, dentists, and dinners. We return to DC annually and maintain our metro cards for discounted rides.