Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2006 10:44:14 -0500
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
From: Judith Newton <jnewton at ashcomp.com>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Metro is 30
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

In general, I have found that Washington's Metro is cleaner and easier to
navigate than most of the other systems in this country (with the possible
exception of the SF Bay Area's BART), but pales by comparison to those of
Europe (except for London, which is creaky - long delays, mind the
considerable gaps - but goes almost everywhere).

The nicest system in North America I have ridden on (among NYC, Boston, Bay
Area, Philly, Chicago)?  A tossup between Montreal and Toronto.  Of course,
I rode in Montreal just after it opened in 1965, so newness gave it a great
advantage - but I still remember how impressed I was when I didn't notice
that the train had arrived in the station because I was reading - it was
that quiet.  I was used to Philadelphia's ancient, clanking system.  On the
other hand, Philly's ran (and I guess still runs) 24/7.  Any other hours
and it's not a real system, IMHO.

Any European system except London's trumps Metro.  Stockholm, Glasgow,
Berlin, Vienna, Paris (another confusing one), all better engineered and
more fun.  Stockholm has many "theme" stations designed by artists.  It had
electronic signs announcing trains years ago (just like the ones Metro has
just now installed) and heated benches on the outdoor stations.

Disclaimer - the above is based on my personal experience.  I chickened out
of riding Tokyo's subway when I had the chance, but maybe next year.

Judy

At 09:32 AM 3/28/2006, you wrote:
> > drewbitt at yahoo.com 3/28/2006 7:39:38 AM >>>
>
> >I'll second that-- Metro's much better than other
> >subway systems I've seen/ridden (and I've been all
> >over the country). While it is "showing its age" just
> >a bit, the NYC system looks its 100 years, believe me,
>
>I've been going to NYC - and riding the subway - on a fairly regulary
>basis for just over 30 years. I remember when the cars were heavily
>grafittied (sp?) and the system was teetering on the brink of collapse.
>
>Now... it's a better system.  Perfect?  No, but hey it runs 24 hours a
>day - how many systems do that?
>
> >and the Tube in London is rough around the edges as
> >well.
>
>Ghod help the handicapped in most of the stations.  The newer ones -
>such as the massively rebuilt/expanded Westminster stop - are accesible.
>  The Westminster tube station does not look at all like what one thinks
>of a tube station to look like:
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_tube_station
>
> >It'd be nice if they'd make links to other regional
> >and urban systems;
>
>Once upon a time, sort of: interurban systems.  See:
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interurban
>
> > I think it'll happen in time but
> >it's frustrating that progress doesn't move in the
> >blink of an eye (the way it does in sf!).
> >best,
>
>Politics and money...
>
>mjw
> >Drew
> >
> >__________________________________________________
> >