From: michaelr@spider.co.uk (Michael S. A. Robb)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.usa
Subject: Re: Is New York the only city to have a subway? (SUMMARY)
Date: 25 Jan 93 18:37:31 GMT
Organization: Spider Systems Limited, Edinburgh, UK.


After reading all the replies regarding whether New York was the  only
city to have a subway, I am now able to produce a summary of most  (if
not all the) subway/light rail systems in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

From what I have read, it seems that the US holds the world record for
having the most subway/light rail systems, around 12+.  Here in the UK
we only have two (Glasgow & London). I can't guarantee the accuracy of
the information here (not until I go on a tour of the subways  systems
of the world!). 

Many thanks to all who replied to my query  and  participated  in  the 
discussions that followed.

  -- Michael

----------------------------------------------------------------------

      THE HITCH-HIKERS GUIDE TO THE SUBWAYS SYSTEMS OF AMERICA
      --------------------------------------------------------

USA
===

  There are many subway systems located across the USA  (although some
  could be classified as light rail systems rather than subways due to
  their location at or above ground level). The list as follows:

   *Atlanta,       GA
   *Baltimore,     MD
    Boston,        MA
   *Buffalo,       NY
    Chicago,       ILL
    Cleveland,     OHIO
   *Los Angeles,   CA
    Newark,        NJ
    New York City, NY
    Philadelphia,  PA
    Pittsburgh,    PA
    San Francisco, CA
   *Washington     DC

   * = Newer subways (i.e. 20 years old or less).

  Some cities which planned mass transport systems, but which have not
  yet been constructed include:

    Seattle,	   WASH
    Houston,       TX

Atlanta, GA 
-----------

  Atlanta gives access to the heart of downtown and shopping malls but
  not to many other places.

Baltimore, MD
-------------

  No information.

Boston, MA
----------

  Contrary to popular belief,  Boston also has one of  the oldest rail
  systems. One explanation is that Boston had a subway first, but that
  New York's got a lot bigger a lot sooner.

  However, the system  has  been undergoing a renovation over the past
  decade. The stations are better/cleaner than New York`s.

  The Boston subway has a fairly benign reputation, though  some lines
  are more infamous than others. One reason the subway, called the "T"
  in Boston is so tame is that it shuts down by 1:00AM. Another reason
  is that it's relatively small: four lines with connections among all
  four downtown. It's neither charming nor quaint, but it works.  Most
  of the time.


Buffalo, NY
-----------

  No information.

Chicago, ILL
------------

  Chicago has a subway system called the  "Rapid Transit" which  dates
  from early in the century.  It  is underground at some points in the
  central downtown area,  rises to grade level in some places,  and is
  even raised in other places.

  Other names used are the "elevated" or "L" for short,  and sometimes
  it is called the subway - yet it may all be part of the same line.

Cleveland, OHIO
--------------- 

  No information.

Houston, TX
-----------

  Houston had been wrestling with the thought  of  a light rail system
  but the idea is now dead.

Los Angeles, CA
---------------

  Los Angeles used to have  a  very efficient trolley system which was
  dismantled in the late '50s. A  new subway (called the Metro) is now
  under construction and will be completed by the turn of the century.

  The first segment of the Red Line (Heavy rail subway) is essentially
  complete,  and will be open to the public on the 30th January.  This
  segment consists of five stations:

  Union Station   - Civic Center (Hill & 1st),
  Pershing Square - Hill & 5th,
  Metro Center    - 7th & Flower, transfer to the Blue Line light rail
  Alvarado Street - Wilshire & Alvarado.

  Construction of the second segment started about a year ago.

Newark, NJ
----------

  No information.

New York City, NY
-----------------

  One of the oldest and most complex subway systems (which shows!). It
  was originally several private systems at one time.

Philadelphia, PA
----------------

  No information.

Pittsburgh, PA
--------------

  Pittsburgh has  a surface light-rail  system with  three underground
  stops downtown (which is called a subway anyhow).

San Francisco, CA
-----------------

  San Francisco has a modest  rail  system  serving  the San Francisco
  Bay Area (Bay Area Rapid Transit - BART),  which is in  the shape of
  a large "X". There are also street cars.

Seattle, WASH
-------------

  During the early '60s, Seattle had plans for a monorail system,  but
  never followed through. The prototype still runs from Seattle Center
  (the Space Needle) to downtown.

Washington, DC
--------------

  Washington has a nice clean modern rail system which was paid for by
  federal tax dollars. Called the "Metro" it was primarily designed to
  allow auto commuters to park their autos by the freeway and ride the
  metro in instead. Not really designed for intra-city transportation.
  Closed during early morning hours.


CANADA
======

Montreal, Quebec
----------------

  Montreal has a subway system used as a backbone to  an  "underground
  city". The stations have varied designs which also include shops and
  restaurants.

  One feature of the rail carriages is that they have both  steel  and
  rubber tyres. In normal use, the tyres run  on concrete  pads  which
  are suspended above the trackbed and  help to reduce noise pollution
  in the stations. The steel track is only used in emergencies such as
  a tyre bursting. This technology was imported from France.


Toronto, Ontario
----------------

  No information.


MEXICO
======

Mexico City
-----------

  Mexico City also has a subway system similar to Montreal in that the
  subway carriages use rubber tyres to reduce noise pollution.
-- 
| Michael S. A. Robb     | Tel: +44 31 554 9424  | "..The problem with bolt-on
| Software Engineer      | Fax: +44 31 554 0649  |  software is making sure the
| Spider Systems Limited | E-mail:               |  bolts are the right size.."
| Edinburgh, EH6 5NG     | michaelr@spider.co.uk |             - Anonymous
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