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.

Importance, functions, and station design

The volume of passengers a metro train can carry is often quite high, and a metro system is often viewed as the backbone of a large city's public transportation system. In many cities passengers beginning their journeys on a tram, bus, or suburban rail system must finish their journey into the city centre on the metro as their first mode of transport will terminate at a metro station to avoid congesting the city centre above ground. Budapest is a perfect example where the two more modern metro lines connect with buses and trams and also with two circular tram routes (one closer to and one further from the city centre) that allow travel between suburbs and also into the centre of the city by changing onto the metro.

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In some cities, the urban rail system is so comprehensive and efficient that the majority of city residents go without an automobile. Moscow, Hong Kong, Paris, London,and Tokyo arguably have the best metro systems in the world, while New York City is the only American city on the same level. Chicago, Washington D.C., and Boston follow New York distantly, while the rest of the cities in the United States only have partial or poorly used systems, such as Saint Louis or Detroit. In the Western Hemisphere, Mexico City also has a large system. In Canada, only Toronto and Montréal have extensive metro networks serving their urban centres (see Toronto Subway and RT and Montréal Métro); Vancouver's SkyTrain also provides high-grade service, but at present acts primarily as a connection between Vancouver and the surrounding area.

Related Topics:
Automobile - Moscow - Hong Kong - Paris - London - Tokyo - New York City - Chicago - Washington D.C. - Boston - United States - Saint Louis - Detroit - Western Hemisphere - Mexico City - Toronto - Montréal - Toronto Subway and RT - Montréal Métro - Vancouver - SkyTrain

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Most underground systems are for public transportation, but a few cities have built freight or postal lines. One example was the Post Office Railway, which transported mail underground between sorting offices in London from 1927 until it was abandoned in 2003. Similarly, in its early days the London Underground's Metropolitan Line (then the Metropolitan Railway) transported goods as well as running passenger trains. Another example was the Chicago Tunnel Company, which had a dense grid of tunnels under downtown Chicago.

Related Topics:
Postal - Post Office Railway - London - 1927 - 2003 - London Underground - Chicago Tunnel Company - Chicago

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During the Cold War an important secondary function of some underground systems was to provide shelter in case of a nuclear attack.

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Urban rail systems have often been used to showcase economic, social, and technological achievements of a nation, especially in the Soviet Union and other socialist countries. With their marble walls, polished granite floors and splendid mosaics, the metro systems of Moscow and St. Petersburg are widely regarded as some of the most beautiful in the world. Modern metro stations in Russia are usually still built with the same emphasis on appearance. Similarly, the Independent Subway System in New York City was built to compete with the private {{IRT}} and {{BMT}} systems, and succeeded in running them out of business (in conjunction with other factors, such as fare limits).

Related Topics:
Soviet Union - Socialist - Moscow - Russia - Independent Subway System - New York City

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See also Metro station.

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