Interesting Opinions Of 10 Of The World’s Largest Subway Systems?

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Mashable blogger Max Knoblauch recently decided to have a bit of fun scrolling through reviews of 10 of the world’s largest subway systems. I’m not sure how many reviews he looked at for each of them, but he shared one pro review and one con review for subway systems in: Madrid, London, Paris, Moscow, Stockholm, New York, Tokyo, Seoul, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.

He also shared some basic cost information for each, but the review quotes were the fun part. Here are just a few of the review quotes (and just a tad bit of commentary from me):

london tube map

London Tube

Pro: “The map and signage are so clear that despite the many lines, it is impossible to get lost.”

Impossible? Really? Have you ever traveled with someone who can’t read maps? 😀

Con: “Cramped hot and full of arrogant people who seem to think they own the damn thing.”

Well, that last bit is really about people and the degree to which they despise, do not tolerate, and are not friendly to strangers, isn’t it? (The commenter surely cannot relate.) Why can’t we all just get along… (and also learn how to use commas)?

Paris Metro

Pro: “Gets you everywhere. Makes you feel like a Parisian.”

Agreed. I absolutely love the Paris Metro.

Con: “There are a lot of stairs. Sometimes I felt like I had to go down stairs to go upstairs.”

My first thought after reading that was a sarcastic, “Oh no, exercise!” However, I’ll admit that too much exercise when sightseeing can really limit how much you are able to see without collapsing and turning into a zombie. Furthermore, a lot of stairs are a real problem for people with small kids, old people, people with joint problems in the lower half of their body, and lazy people. Paris could perhaps work on that a bit.

Moscow Metro

Pro: “The stations are all beautiful works of art.”

That’s pretty cool.

Con: “Smelly, gloomy and no English what-so-ever.”

No English?! In Russia?! You’ve got to be kidding me!

Stockholm Tunnelbana

(First off: awesome name!)

Pro: “On some days, the operating company also offers guided tours, these are free, one only needs to have a ticket.”

That’s pretty awesome.

Regarding cons, Max found none for this system. Say what?!?!

New York City Subway

Pro: “I found it incredibly safe, easy to manage and super cheap! Compared to certain Muni lines it’s like riding in a limo.”

A San Francisco limo or a New York limo?

Con: “If you’ve taken a train from Roma Termini (the stench of piss and vomit) in Italy, that’s nothing compared to NY stations. I’ve seen rats running around.”

Holy *&*^!

I have to say that I didn’t run into any such problems with the NYC subway system, but I have probably spent fewer than two weeks riding the subway there (in my entire life). So, don’t expect to find rats, piss, and vomit the moment you get to a NYC subway station. If those were so prevalent, it certainly wouldn’t be one of the busiest subway systems in the world.

San Francisco BART

Pro: “A nice smooth comfortable ride and ideal climate control.”

(Again, people, commas.)

Indeed, the climate control is quite good. 😀 And the overall quality is pretty sweet. But wait…

Con: “Literally I think [it] may have permanent crap stains.”

Washington, DC Metrorail

Pro: “People who work at the many stops are so helpful, especially with all of the tourists and their questions.”

I have been a tourist in DC many times and I can attest to that. Nice people. I met every single one of them, btw.

Con: “Seating arrangement encourages ‘hogging’ of two seats, compelling many to stand, mostly crowding around the doors as the aisles are too narrow for the oversized passengers.”

Hmm, “oversized,” is that the new term?

Image: London Tube map via Claudio Divizia / Shutterstock.com


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Zachary Shahan

Zach is tryin' to help society help itself one word at a time. He spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as its director, chief editor, and CEO. Zach is recognized globally as an electric vehicle, solar energy, and energy storage expert. He has presented about cleantech at conferences in India, the UAE, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, Canada, and Curaçao. Zach has long-term investments in Tesla [TSLA], NIO [NIO], Xpeng [XPEV], Ford [F], ChargePoint [CHPT], Amazon [AMZN], Piedmont Lithium [PLL], Lithium Americas [LAC], Albemarle Corporation [ALB], Nouveau Monde Graphite [NMGRF], Talon Metals [TLOFF], Arclight Clean Transition Corp [ACTC], and Starbucks [SBUX]. But he does not offer (explicitly or implicitly) investment advice of any sort.

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