Comparing Subway Systems in Global Cities

Key Takeaways

• The London Underground is the world’s first underground railway, opened in 1863, and now has 11 lines covering 402 kilometers and serving 272 stations.
• Tokyo’s railway system carries over 8 million passengers a day, but suffers from significant overcrowding due to the city’s enormous growth since its construction.
• Singapore has one of the world’s newest underground systems, with plans to expand its rail network to about 360 kilometers by early next decade.
• Paris’ Metro system is undergoing a major transformation, with the construction of the €35 billion Grand Paris Express, scheduled for completion by 2030.
• New York’s subway is the world’s largest by the number of stations, but faces challenges due to its size, age, and funding problems.
• Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway is highly profitable, with a 99.9% punctuality rate, and has among the cheapest fares in the world.

Introduction to the World’s Major Metro Systems
The world’s major cities have developed complex metro systems to facilitate the movement of millions of people every day. From the historic London Underground to the modern systems of Tokyo, Singapore, Paris, New York, and Hong Kong, each city has its unique characteristics, challenges, and achievements. In this article, we will explore the features and developments of these major metro systems, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

The London Underground: A Pioneer in Metro Systems
The London Underground, affectionately known as "The Tube," is the world’s first underground railway, opened in 1863. With 11 lines covering 402 kilometers and serving 272 stations, it carries up to 5 million passengers a day. The network has been expanding and improving since its inception, with the recent addition of the high-frequency Elizabeth Line. The lead architect for Melbourne’s Metro, Ivan Harbour, has taken inspiration from The Tube’s design, but also describes parts of the London Underground as "sort of a nightmare" due to its age.

Tokyo’s Railway System: Efficiency and Overcrowding
Tokyo’s railway system is one of the most efficient in the world, carrying over 8 million passengers a day. The system intersects with Japan’s broader rail network, including its high-speed bullet trains. However, the metro trains can be overcrowded, with each carriage designed for about 150 passengers but often carrying double this number during peak hours. Eric Keys, a retired transport planner, notes that Tokyo’s rail system suffers from significant overcrowding due to the city’s enormous growth since its construction.

Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit: A Modern and Efficient System
Singapore has one of the world’s newest underground systems, with the Mass Rapid Transit network opening in 1987. The system has more than 160 stations across six MRT lines, spanning the island and carrying over 200,000 daily passengers. Nathan Pittman, an education fellow in transport planning, praises Singapore’s MRT as "incredibly frequent," clean, and punctual. The city has plans to expand the rail network to about 360 kilometers by early next decade.

Paris’ Metro System: A Blend of History and Modernity
The Parisian Metro system, with its iconic art nouveau entrances, spans the city across 16 lines. The first line opened in 1900, and the system has since expanded to service 308 stations. The word "metro" originates from the Paris Metropolitan. The French capital’s Metro carries over 4 million passengers a day, and small dogs are allowed on board. Paris is currently undergoing a major transformation of its public transport system, with the construction of the €35 billion Grand Paris Express, scheduled for completion by 2030.

New York’s Subway: Challenges and Opportunities
New York’s subway is the world’s largest by the number of stations, with 472 stations and 36 lines. The system carries about 1.1 billion people a year, although it is still only at 70% of its pre-pandemic patronage levels. The subway’s size, age, and funding problems have made it a challenging system to improve, with parts falling into near-disrepair around the time of the global financial crisis. The newest addition to the system is the Second Avenue Subway, which opened in 2017 after a decade of construction.

Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway: Efficiency and Profitability
Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway serves over 179 stations, with a 99.9% punctuality rate. The system is highly profitable, with a revenue of $HK15.8 billion ($3.1 billion) in the past financial year. The MTR is also one of the cheapest metro systems in the world, with the shortest trip costing just 96¢. The major driver of the corporation’s huge revenue is its property development arm, which holds a portfolio of about 50 properties provided by the government for free. The MTR owns public transport networks around the world, including Melbourne’s, where it has a 60% stake in Metro Trains.

Conclusion
In conclusion, each of the world’s major metro systems has its unique characteristics, challenges, and achievements. From the historic London Underground to the modern systems of Tokyo, Singapore, Paris, New York, and Hong Kong, these cities have developed complex networks to facilitate the movement of millions of people every day. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these systems, we can learn valuable lessons for the development of efficient and effective public transport systems in the future.