List of rapid transit systems

This is a list of rapid transit systems around the world. Such systems are commonly called metros, subways, elevated railways, rapid rail, or underground railways. The list is ordered by continent, country and city, and the systems are listed along with their opening year, system length and number of stations.

Considerations

There is no single and unambiguous definition of a rapid transit system, but the term often refers to systems that are called metro, subway or underground. [The term rapid transit sometimes refers to high capacity bus transit systems (BRT) or any kind of transit system that features some dedicated lanes or routes.
cite web|url=http://www.apta.com/research/info/online/glossary.cfm|title=Glossary of Transit Terminology|publisher=American Public Transportation Association|accessdate=2008-02-27] Whereas the words subway and underground indicate that the system is sub-surface, the terms metro and rapid transit typically also include systems that are elevated or at surface level. A popular definition of metro is urban, electric passenger transportation system with high capacity and high frequency of service, which is totally independent from other traffic, road or pedestrians. [cite web|url=http://www.uitp.org/Public-Transport/metro/index.cfm|title=Metro|publisher=International Association of Public Transport|accessdate=2008-01-14] [cite web|url=http://www.urbanrail.net/about.htm#definition|title=What is a metro?|author=Schwandl, Robert|publisher=UrbanRail.Net|year=2007|accessdate=2008-01-14] The terms "heavy rail" (mainly in North America) and "heavy urban rail" have similar definitions. [cite web|url=http://www.apta.com/research/info/online/glossary.cfm|title=Glossary of Transit Terminology|publisher=American Public Transportation Association|accessdate=2008-02-27] [cite web|url=http://www.demandforpublictransport.co.uk/TRL593.pdf|title=The demand for public transport: a practical guide|pages=p. 6|publisher=Transport Research Laboratory|accessdate=2008-03-27]

The dividing line between rapid transit and other modes of public transport, such as light rail and commuter rail, is not always clear. A common way to distinguish rapid transit systems from light rail is by their separation from other traffic. While light rail systems may share roads or have level crossings, a rapid transit system runs on a grade-separated exclusive right-of-way, with no access for pedestrians and other traffic. And in contrast to commuter rail, rapid transit systems are primarily used for transport within a city, and have higher service frequency, typically not more than 10 minutes between trains during normal daytime service. Furthermore, rapid transit systems do not share tracks with freight trains or inter-city rail services. It is however not relevant whether the system runs on steel wheels or rubber tyres, or if the power supply is from a third rail or overhead lines.

The name of the system is not a criterion for inclusion. Some cities use rapid transit or metro as a brand name for a transit line with no component of rapid transit whatsoever. Similarly, there are systems branded light rail that meet every criteria for being a rapid transit system. Some systems also incorporate light metro or light rail lines as part of the larger system under a common name. These are listed, but the light rail lines are not counted for in the provided network data. Certain transit networks match the technical level and service standards of rapid transit, but reach far out of the city and are commonly known or better described as regional or commuter rail. These are not included. Neither are monorail and funicular systems, nor people movers, such as amusement park, ski resort and airport transportation systems.

List

Legend

; Location : Country, and primary city served by the rapid transit system.; Name : The most common English name of the system.; Opened : The year the system was opened for commercial service with rapid transit standard. Parts of the system may be older, as parts of a former light rail or commuter rail network. ; Stations : The number of stations in the network, with stations connected by transfer counted as one. ; Length : The route length of the network in kilometers and miles.

See also

* Total rapid transit systems statistics by country
* Metro systems by annual passenger rides
* List of United States rapid transit systems by ridership
* List of suburban and commuter rail systems
* List of light-rail transit systems
* List of airport people mover systems
* List of bus rapid transit systems
* List of town tramway systems
* List of trolleybus systems
* List of articulated bus systems
* List of monorail systems
* List of funicular railways
* List of United States light rail systems by ridership
* List of driverless trains

Notes

References

*
*
*

Further reading

*
*
*
*

External links

* [http://www.mic-ro.com/metro/metroart.html Metro Arts and Architecture of Transit Systems Around the World]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1460612.stm BBC: Around the World by Subway]
* [http://www.virgin-vacations.com/site_vv/11-top-underground-transit-systems-in-the-world.asp Top 11 Transit Systems of the World]
* [http://www.urbanrail.net Urbanrail.net: Metros, subways, or urban rail transit systems around the world]