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22 thoughts on “Lunchtime Photo

    1. Kevin Drum

      Yes, but I only took the subway once or twice. So I haven't given it a fair trial.

      London and NYC are both good, but Paris is cheaper; covers a ton of ground; and has stations everywhere. You rarely have to walk more than half a mile to find one.

      1. irtnogg

        New York's subway system is bigger than Tokyo's, but is not as efficient or as accessible. Tokyo's system of thirteen lines, 286 stations, and 300 km of track is cleaner (of course), its ability to run trains on time is legendary, and they have been able to add new lines when needed. It's also seamlessly integrated with rail lines like the Yamanote line and the Chuo line.
        The Tokyo system is still growing. They opened the Namboku line in 2000 and the Fukutoshin line in 2008 (expanded in 2013). More train linkups are supposed to commence this year, and another line is in the works.
        Of course, the system also serves an enormous population and the Japanese government overspends like crazy on public works projects, so the quality of the subway system is not much of a surprise.

    2. J. Frank Parnell

      Taipei is also very good. Ticketing is so logical that even a westerner with zero Chinese can handle it. And you don't have to stare down the teenage pickpockets/purse snatchers like you do in Paris.

      1. realrobmac

        I was there several times about 30 years ago when the system was just being built. I have not had the chance to use it.

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  1. Amil Eoj

    For a subway system's core job of getting you where you want to go, when you want to get there, Paris, Tokyo and London are all pretty terrific.

    But NYC is in a class by itself, because of the 24/7 service. London would be runner up thanks to the night tube on the handful of lines where it's available.

    Of course NYC is probably also in a class by itself when it comes to deferred maintenance--and there may well be a correlation there!

    But all four systems (and I'm sure there are others outside my experience) do the essential thing you want from them superbly well, which is to give you the run of the city.

    If I could snap my fingers and make one improvement to San Diego's infrastructure (or that of most of the large cities I've visited), the retroactive creation of such a comprehensive subway system would be it.

    All that being said, yeah, Paris wins for coolest signage, hands down.

  2. PhilipSalen

    Of the world's busiest metro/mass transit stations, 86/100 of the busiest are in Japan; 24 of the busiest are in Japan, mostly Tokyo and Osaka. The Yamanote line is incredibly utilized and incredibly busy. Just in terms of on time performance, utilization, cleanliness (and perhaps crowdedness) Japan has the best subway system in the world. I use New York's system periodically; it's relatively inexpensive and runs 24/7 but is way underfunded by NY state and has major maintenance needs.

  3. S1AMER

    Yes! The Paris Metro is a gem!

    But almost as good are the suburban trains, and all the trains to all the other cities throughout Europe.

    We have good systems in a few cities (New York, especially), but nothing compares to all forms of travel in Europe. Frankly, Americans should be embarrassed at how crude we are when it comes to getting from one place to another by any means than an auto.

  4. Displaced Canuck

    The Paris system is good but only if you include the RER suburban system. The Metro itself only covers the main city. One other issue with many of these older systems is that they are not very accessible for people with even mild physical disabilities. The London Underground and the Metro both have many stations with stair access only.

  5. bouncing_b

    Tokyo suffers from many, many staircases, especially if you have to change trains. Often it's up a long flight, through a corridor, down another flight, up again. And you're flowing along packed in a thick throng (well, as close as Japanese are willing to get to a gaijin). Don't even think about stopping to look at a map. Really hard with luggage. And just about impossible for people with disabilities.

    1. Salamander

      Re: stairs. The Japanese have much stronger legs than Americans. All that kneeling and getting up, and not spending all their time in cushy chairs.

  6. kkseattle

    I only rode it once, back in the USSR, but the Moscow system blew me away with its beauty and artistry. Maybe some day I’ll try it again.

  7. Jasper_in_Boston

    Welcome to Paris, home of the greatest subway system in the world. Only New York comes close.

    New York? You've got to be kidding me. Seen the on time numbers recently? Abysmal. Have they installed plexiglass safety guards on even a single platform? This is standard equipment now in many subway systems globally.

    Paris is a gem, agreed, though it mostly coveres a small patch of land (Paris is less than 50 square miles, aboutt the same land area as Boston or San Fransicsco).. But with the RER included Paris's overall transit system is excellent.

    The major Asian metros (Seoul, Shanghai, Tokyo, Shenzhen, Singapore, Osaka, Beijing, Chengdu etc) all blow away New York's dilapitdated subway.As an American it doesn't give me much joy to observe this, but it's reality.

  8. SpaceCat

    It's good, but I have never been attacked by pickpocket gangs twice on one trip like I have been in Paris on the Metro.

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