Rapid transit

:This article is about high-capacity urban rail public transit systems. For lower-order systems, see tram, light rail, bus, and bus rapid transit.

Definitions and nomenclature

There is no single term in English that all speakers would use for all rapid transit or metro systems.

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This fact reflects variations not only in national and regional usage, but in what characteristics are considered essential.

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One definition of a metro system is as follows:

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• an urban, electric mass transit railway system
• totally independent from other traffic
• with high service frequency.

But those who prefer the American term "subway" or the British "underground" would additionally specify that the tracks and stations must be

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• located below street level

so that pedestrians and road users see the street exactly as it would be without the subway; or at least that this must be true for the most important, central parts of the system.

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Conversely, those who prefer the American "rapid transit" or the newer (when used in English) term "metro" tend to view this as a less important characteristic and are pleased to include systems that are entirely elevated or at ground level (at grade) as long as the other criteria are met.

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A rapid transit system that is generally above street level may be called an "elevated" system (often shortened to el or, in Chicago, 'L'). In some cities the word "subway" applies to the entire system, in others only to those parts that actually are underground; and analogously for "el".

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For a more comprehensive listing showing names of this kind of system in cities around the world, see the list of rapid transit systems.

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Germanic languages generally use names meaning "underground railway" (such as "subway" or "U-Bahn"), while many others use "metro". See also passenger rail terminology.

Related Topics:
U-Bahn - Passenger rail terminology

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