i can't complain about much about the chicago EL/Subway. things run pretty smooth other than the work that they're doing now. sure it could use some major upgrades in places, but it works and its cheap and reliable
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what do you hate about the subway?
- Thread starter machelp1010
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The DC metro is the nicest subway system I've ever been on. It's clean and the stations are oh so spacious.
The New York subway is great, but it falls into second place behind DC because the stations are often cramped.
The subway system in Tokyo is by far the cleanest, most efficient system I've been on, but it's a PITA because there are three separate companies operating subway lines in the city.
Atlanta, on the other hand, is my least favorite subway system. Every train I've been on in Atlanta has smelled like urine.
The New York subway is great, but it falls into second place behind DC because the stations are often cramped.
The subway system in Tokyo is by far the cleanest, most efficient system I've been on, but it's a PITA because there are three separate companies operating subway lines in the city.
Atlanta, on the other hand, is my least favorite subway system. Every train I've been on in Atlanta has smelled like urine.
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I've ridden the Tokyo subways and while they are generally very clean, don't ride them during rush hours--you are literally packed in like a can of sardines, especially if you're near any areas where there are large numbers of employers or have a lot of train transfers (Shinjuku Station, Shibuya Station, and Ikebukuro Station are notorious for this). I remember back in 1989 after doing some shopping around Ikebukuro Station I walked back to the station during afternoon rush hour, saw the MASSIVE crowd there, and beat a hasty retreat to eat at a nearby tempura restaurant before getting back on the subway train at a less crowded time. 
I've been on DC's Metro a few times and I agree, it is by far the nicest and cleanest public transit system I've seen yet.
Yes, is the suicide rate inordinately high for this occupation?
I'll leave that one up to the passengers to answer.
Hey now! I used to work in a Subway in college. I thought it was pretty good.
I worked at one in High School.
You guys don't have the benefit of having Mr. Sub. A far superior alternative. We should go to one.
I ride the Rennes, France metro (smallest city in the world to have a subway line) to and from university every day...it's new (opened 2002 I think), clean and very efficient. The designers clearly took cues from the problems with other metros around the world in designing this one: the stops are cleaned thoroughly every night, there are no conductors but cameras all over so its safe, the tracks are sealed completely so there's no graffiti, it has rubber truck tires and steel train wheels for a super smooth and fast ride, there are no gates to get in, just proximity-card swipe boxes/ticket punchers so it's on the honor system, but there are enough 'controls' and big fines that nobody takes chances.
The only thing I hate is annoying 13 year old girls riding the metro really early in the morning with their cell phones playing loud and terrible music for everyone to hear.
The only thing I hate is annoying 13 year old girls riding the metro really early in the morning with their cell phones playing loud and terrible music for everyone to hear.
-The guy who always wants to have a conversation. Hey, buddy. I have my earbuds in. I'm clearly not interested in what you have to say.
-The newspaper reader without the newspaper. It's a pet peeve of mine if someone is leaning over to read my newspaper. Get your own, creepster.
-The newspaper reader without the newspaper. It's a pet peeve of mine if someone is leaning over to read my newspaper. Get your own, creepster.
Actually, we do. There are several here in the city. I don't care for them too much.
I ride the Rennes, France metro (smallest city in the world to have a subway line) to and from university every day...it's new (opened 2002 I think), clean and very efficient. The designers clearly took cues from the problems with other metros around the world in designing this one: the stops are cleaned thoroughly every night, there are no conductors but cameras all over so its safe, the tracks are sealed completely so there's no graffiti, it has rubber truck tires and steel train wheels for a super smooth and fast ride, there are no gates to get in, just proximity-card swipe boxes/ticket punchers so it's on the honor system, but there are enough 'controls' and big fines that nobody takes chances.
The only thing I hate is annoying 13 year old girls riding the metro really early in the morning with their cell phones playing loud and terrible music for everyone to hear.
That place sounds like it is from the future. Except the last part, which is aggravating.
The one in Toronto is just ok, but I've been on the ones in London, Washington and Paris.
All very nice.
I particularly like London's. Reminds me of the air-raid shelters during WWII.
All very nice.
I particularly like London's. Reminds me of the air-raid shelters during WWII.
Hmm.. what do I hate about the subway? Oh.. maybe the fact that WE DON'T HAVE ONE. Calgary has the most pathetic excuse for public transit in the world. We have a whopping 2 LRT lines that run downtown and go out to places I don't live, and the trains themselves are soo slow. The buses are even worse. Every day it takes me a full hour to get to school, which I live about 15 minutes away from. The buses that run downtown are obscenely crowded, they're packed right to the doors. They come every 15 minutes rush hour or not and the only articulated buses run on one specific route. For some reason you can't buy a year pass, which screws you over at the end of every month if you've forgotten to buy a new pass for the month.
I've been to London, New York, Toronto, Milan, Rome, Venice, Cinque Terre, Gothenburg, San Francisco, Arlington, and guess what? Every single one of those cities makes Calgary's transit a total joke. (Not that it isn't already)
I guess that's what you get when you combine a city that can't deal with growth and a bunch of losers buying SUVs to drive by themselves into town.
I've been to London, New York, Toronto, Milan, Rome, Venice, Cinque Terre, Gothenburg, San Francisco, Arlington, and guess what? Every single one of those cities makes Calgary's transit a total joke. (Not that it isn't already)
I guess that's what you get when you combine a city that can't deal with growth and a bunch of losers buying SUVs to drive by themselves into town.
Most of my experience with a subway has been in Paris. I actually completely enjoy that form of public transportation. The only drawback is when you are literally compressed with everyone else during 17:00 and such.
I've travelled on a lot of Local Rail mass transportation systems around the world, and so far my favorite is Paris' Métro. Good pricing, fast, punctual, gets you about anywhere in the city. The one drawback for me is that it's not very clean (the clean award goes to DC).
The worst is the Tube in London. Weird tiered pricing, crowded and confusing.
New York isn't bad. It just sucks if you live out in Brooklyn or Queens; I don't find there are many lines that run through them. Plus, there's no regular train between Brooklyn and Queens...GAH! Why do I have to go in Manhattan and then back on Long Island?!
Chicago could be improved. I just find it really slow sometimes.
The worst is the Tube in London. Weird tiered pricing, crowded and confusing.
New York isn't bad. It just sucks if you live out in Brooklyn or Queens; I don't find there are many lines that run through them. Plus, there's no regular train between Brooklyn and Queens...GAH! Why do I have to go in Manhattan and then back on Long Island?!
Chicago could be improved. I just find it really slow sometimes.
I'll tell you what I hate about the subway. I hate that here we only have 1 stupid ground level train. Not underground or suspended. What is the point of a train that stops at some stop lights, that has to (should) slow down going through intersections. The state finally got a second line approved, but construction will not begin until 2010 with the line going online in 2014. The existing line should have been extended and at least 3 other lines should have been built in this time.
I also hate that they increased fares but not service.
I also hate that they increased fares but not service.
Nothing really. The trains themselves are fine and I've never had any issues other than small annoyances (really bad B.O, music too loud, etc).
What I hate are the stations as they can get really hot and humid. After taking the subway to a few Yankee games and getting stuck in the oven that was the station after the game, I swore I'd never take the train to the game again.
Oddly, I've had more problem on the Bay Area's "BART" train.
What I hate are the stations as they can get really hot and humid. After taking the subway to a few Yankee games and getting stuck in the oven that was the station after the game, I swore I'd never take the train to the game again.
Oddly, I've had more problem on the Bay Area's "BART" train.
I don't mind Boston's public transit at all... The MBTA does a decent job at most things.
However, I guess my list of peeves would be:
• Litter filled stations on a few of the more popular lines.
• Streetcars are super crowded during rush-hour.
• Homeless people who ride continuously and bother customers are allowed on.
• Extremely hot/humid stations on the older underground stops.
Otherwise, it's a fine system; fast and efficient.
However, I guess my list of peeves would be:
• Litter filled stations on a few of the more popular lines.
• Streetcars are super crowded during rush-hour.
• Homeless people who ride continuously and bother customers are allowed on.
• Extremely hot/humid stations on the older underground stops.
Otherwise, it's a fine system; fast and efficient.
hot in summer/cold in winter. overcrowded rush hour. dirty. construction when it is most inconvenient. NEVER comes when you are out in the lower east side on a late weekend night and you need to get to the upper west side
My only problem with the tube here in london is the heat.
In the summer the tubes are more less a bunch of underground sauna's, but instead of putting in some kind of AC they put loads of little signs up saying "The tubes can get very hot durning the summer, we advise you to always have a bottle of water with you" or some BS like that.
Meh, oh well...I rarely take the tube now days unless im going shopping or something anyway, but if I did take the tube on a regular basis I would have to write up a complaint ot something lol
In the summer the tubes are more less a bunch of underground sauna's, but instead of putting in some kind of AC they put loads of little signs up saying "The tubes can get very hot durning the summer, we advise you to always have a bottle of water with you" or some BS like that.
Meh, oh well...I rarely take the tube now days unless im going shopping or something anyway, but if I did take the tube on a regular basis I would have to write up a complaint ot something lol