In transit: Metro systems around the world

MANILA, Philippines – Thanks to technology and years of research and development in the transportation industry, the masses in many cities have a choice to take the local metro system to get to their destination safely and on time.

As trains are capable of accommodating a large capacity of passengers daily, metros have become the primary choice for most commuters who want to avoid day-to-day traffic jams.

Cities like Manila, Jakarta and Bangkok, which experience congestion of vehicles and high volume of traffic round the clock, deal with traffic jams on a daily basis.

Despite efforts to lessen both private and public vehicles on the road, for these cities, a reliable alternative for public transport remains elusive.

Developing road systems and improving current public transport may not be enough to serve the millions of commuters flocking to live in the growing cities of Asia. More of these cities are looking to develop dependable metros and railway systems as the only viable solution to meet their growth potentials.

Commuters in the Philippines still have to look forward to the day when they can enjoy getting from point A to point B on railway systems similar to the super-fast bullet trains of Japan or Hong Kong’s famous MTR rail network that carries more than 5 million passengers a day with 99.9% punctuality.

Global recognition for titles such as the ‘world’s tallest building’ or the ‘world’s best airport’ bring a lot pride and competition, and it’s no different with the transportation industry.

World-class train systems are not only lauded for their reliability with regard to punctuality and comfort, but also accessibility when it comes to everyday living. 

But how do you measure the efficiency and reliability of a metro system? How do you think your local train compares to that of the world’s best?

Here are some of the most remarkable and most popular metro systems in the world.