The world’s top 10 busiest metros - Railway Technology Paris Metro is the second busiest metro system in Europe. The world’s top 10 busiest metros Six of the world’s ten busiest metro systems are in Asia, four can be found in China alone while the busiest, the Tokyo Subway, is in Japan. Railway-technology.com profiles the top 10 busiest metros based on the latest annual ridership data. Tokyo Subway, Japan With an annual ridership of 3.334 billion in 2013, a 1.25% increase from the previous year, the Tokyo Subway is the world's busiest metro system. The 310km rapid transit network serves the Greater Tokyo area of Japan comprising of 13 lines and 290 stations. The metro system has two operators - Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway . Tokyo Metro operates nine lines and 184 stations including Shinjuku Station, the world's busiest rail station . Toei Subway, owned by Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation, manages four lines and 106 stations.

The metro's oldest line, the Ginza Line, dates back to 1927 when it was opened with the completion of a 2.2km section between Asakusa and Ueno by the Tokyo Underground Railway Company. The Toei subway network became operational in 1960 between Oshiage and Asakusa. Beijing Subway, China The Beijing Subway, the oldest metro system in China, recorded an annual ridership of 3.209 billion in 2013, about 30% higher than the previous year. Operating since 1969, the subway system owned by the city of Beijing has expanded to 17 lines and 232 stations covering 465km. The subway system currently boasts an average daily ridership of more than 10 million. State-owned Beijing Mass Transit Railway Operation Corporation operates 14 lines, whereas Beijing MTR Corporation, a public-private joint venture between Beijing Capital Group Co. and Hong Kong MTR Corporation, operates the remaining three lines. The Beijing Subway had just two lines until 2001, but major investments were made to expand the subway after Beijing won the bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.

It is planned for the metro rail network to cover 1,000km of track by 2020. Seoul Subway , South Korea The Seoul Metropolitan Subway, the longest subway system in the world , had a total route length of 940km and an annual ridership of 2.619 billion in 2013, a 6.16% increase in passenger numbers on 2012. The subway system serves South Korea's capital city Seoul as well as the provinces of Incheon, Gyeonggi and northern Chungnam. Seoul Subway is operated by multiple operators including Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corporation, Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation, Korail, Incheon Transit Corporation, and other private rapid transit operators. Seoul Subway became operational in 1974 and has since then expanded to 21 lines (including the Uijeongbu LRT and the recently opened Yongin Ever Line) to carry over seven million passengers a day.

Shanghai Metro, China Shanghai Metro, China's third urban rapid transit system to open after Beijing and Tianjin, witnessed an annual ridership of 2.5 billion in 2013, 10.18% higher than that in 2012. Daily ridership peaked at 9.381 million in April 2014. The metro system, comprised of 13 lines and 330 stations, is operated by two companies, Shanghai Metro Operation Company and Shanghai Modern Rail Transit Company. Lines 1 and 2 are the busiest lines while People's Square station, with daily commuter traffic of 400,000, is the busiest station on the network. Line 13 is the least busy, carrying 51,000 passengers per day. The Shanghai Metro is considered to be one of the fastest-growing rapid transit systems in the world and is planned to expand to 22 lines covering a total route length of 877km by 2020.

Moscow Metro, Russia Moscow metro, Europe's busiest metro system, had an annual ridership of 2.491 billion in 2013, 1.1% higher than that of 2012. Comprised of 12 lines and 195 stations, it spans a total length of 325.9km and set a daily ridership record of 9.28 million in December 2013. Opened in 1935, Moscow Metro was the first underground railway system in the former Soviet Union and is owned and operated by state-owned Moskovsky Metropoliten. Apart from serving Moscow city, the metro system also connects to the neighbouring towns of Krasnogorsk and Reutov. Expansion works are underway, and over 155km of new lines and 75 stations expected to be added to the metro network by 2020. Guangzhou Metro, China The annual ridership of the Guangzhou Metro, which serves South Central China's largest city Guangzhou, increased by 11.35% over 2012 to reach 2.05 billion in 2013.

The metro system, operated by state-owned Guangzhou Metro Corporation, set a record high daily ridership of 7.942 million passengers in May 2014. The metro system, opened in 1997, spans 260.5km and consists of nine lines and 164 stations. China's first intercity underground metro line, the Guangfo Line which began operations in 2010 connecting Guangzhou and Foshan, is part of the Guangzhou Metro. The total length of the metro route is expected to exceed 500km by 2017. New York Subway, US New York Subway, connecting four boroughs of the New York City including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, carried 1.708 billion passengers in 2013, a 2.83% increase from 2012. The subway is owned by the City of New York and operated by the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and was opened first in 1904. The subway system includes 34 lines and 468 stations including 60% underground stations.

The busiest stations of the subway are located in Manhattan, one of the most populated boroughs of the New York City. Times Square - 42nd Street station, located under Times Square, alone has an annual ridership of 64 million. Mexico City Metro, Mexico Mexico City Metro, also called Sistema de Transporte Colectivo, the second largest metro system in North America after the New York City Subway, had an annual ridership of 1.685 billion in 2013, a 4.72% increase from 2012. It recorded a peak daily ridership of 4.4 million in 2012. The 226.5km long metro system operated by Sistema de Transporte Colectivo (STC) serves 16 boroughs and 41 neighbourhood municipalities in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. The metro system began operation in 1969 and currently consists of 12 lines and 195 stations, including 115 underground stations.

MTR Hong Kong, China The annual ridership of Mass Transit Railway (MTR) serving the city of Hong Kong increased by 7.96% to 1.6 billion in 2013. The metro system peaked average weekday ridership of 4.43 million in August 2014. Operated by public-private company MTR Corporation, Hong Kong Metro generated revenue of HK$39bn ($5bn) in 2013 becoming one of the world's most profitable metro systems. Construction of the MTR Hong Kong began in 1967 and the first line was opened in 1979. The metro system, comprising of 82 stations on nine main commuter lines, spans 174.7km of track. What are the world's best metro systems? | CNN Travel What are the world's best metro systems? What are the world's best metro systems? There are few better ways to avoid traffic jams and road rage than by using underground rail -- but which systems are the best?

By Edward Falzon and CNN Travel staff 9 January, 2013 From the single, circular line of Glasgow to the cobweb-like network that is London, underground train systems have been a cheap, reliable and convenient mode of transport for decades. The London Underground, also known as "The Tube," celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2013. Having stood the test of time it ranks as one of the greatest metro systems in the world. (S hare with us your most memorable Tube journey .) But what about the others? Copenhagen Metro has a driver-less rail system that runs 24 hours a day. São Paulo Metro has a comparatively small 74 kilometers of track, yet carries 3.3 million passengers each day. Montreal has one of the lowest carbon footprints for metro networks in the world. Many CNN readers nominated Moscow in the comments section below. But what other systems would they rank among "the best?" We've taken onboard readers' comments and suggestions to update this article. Here are a few underground rail systems we think deserve credit -- let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Hong Kong Wi-Fi hotspots and phone signal boosters mean this network is more connected than most.

Praise for Hong Kong’s MTR gushes from every traveler who’s ever set a toe inside the immaculately clean, well-signposted, cheap, regular, convenient system that connects most corners of the city, from the crowded bowels of Wan Chai to the rural(ish) villages of Tai Po. “…one of the most efficient people carriers in the world,” says reviewer swissfondue on VirtualTourist . There’s free Wi-Fi in 42 stations, facilities such as tactile flooring and Braille plates for travelers with disabilities and public washrooms, shops, banks and takeaway food outlets inside many stations or close to their exits. There's no timetable for commuters -- trains just turn up every few minutes, sooner during peak periods -- and it's dead simple for visitors to buy a ticket via the automated machines. It has possibly the world’s most convenient Airport Express service, with departures every 10 minutes or so. And then there's the Octopus card -- possibly the world's greatest transport payment system, which can also be used in convenience stores, restaurants and other places. Cities like Melbourne should scream with jealousy.

The website offers handy one-day itineraries for Hong Kong tourists keen to shop, eat or discover the local culture Occasionally the walk from one concourse to the next can be lengthy and some stations get ridiculously crowded during peak hours (looking at you TST, Causeway Bay). But that just gives more time to watch and wonder as this 211-kilometer, 150-station system copes easily with its 3.4 million passengers every day. Also on CNNGo: 10 epic train journeys Seoul The world's first virtual mart for smartphone users opened at Seollung Station in Seoul in 2011. Operated by three different companies (two of them state-funded), the Seoul metro system carries almost 7 million passengers per day on nine lines. In addition to being one of the only metro systems in the world with cell phone service and Wi-Fi, many of the Seoul subway trains are outfitted with TVs and are climate controlled. We love the toasty, heated seats in the winter. "Many subway planners come to Korea and are really blown away by the technology that we have in place," says Jung-whan Kim from Seoul Metro's media team.

"It's a big showpiece for Korea's emphasis on IT." The only downside is the early closing time -- around midnight on weekdays, a little earlier on weekends -- considering how obsessed the city is with nightlife. Singapore Most Improved Odor. Now that's a prize that should be on every award list. SMRT swept “the MetroRail Awards ” in 2010, taking home prizes for Most Energy Efficient, Most Technologically Innovative, Best Metro in Asia-Pacific and Most Improved Odor. After an amalgamation of several transit-service-providers in 2000, SMRT has grown to 600 million passengers per year. Some use it to seek refuge from the heat outside, lapping up the air-conditioned comfort. The system gets demerits for lack of EZ-Link ticket card machines at some stations, meaning frequent lengthy lines for travelers needing to top up or buy a ticket. London London mayor Boris Johnson about to prove why some music is best kept underground. The London Tube was the world's first underground metro, opening in 1863 … and they've not done terribly much since. Only in the current, two-decade-long upgrade plan have air-conditioned carriages been introduced.

But for history, for great underground busking and for something relatively cheap in an expensive city, it's hard to beat. Despite all the grumbling, the Underground ferries more than 1 billion journeys per year. Not bad for something that old. Also on CNN: 10 tips for London Tube survival Paris When the only complaint is "the doors are manual," you're probably doing a lot right. The City of Light's metro is unusually dense, with 245 stations on 14 lines, in just 87 square kilometers of the city. Parisians, apparently, don't like to walk. With more than 1.5 billion passengers a year, Paris Metro is in the top-five for busiest city-rail services in the world. The Paris Metro does lose some points for not having automatically opening doors. This hints at the average age of the carriages and suggests a need to spend a little on upgrades. Also on CNN: Europe's most beautiful metro stations Madrid Stations big enough for museums. At 294 kilometers, Madrid has the sixth-longest metro system in the world. But on top of that is another 386 kilometers of suburban rail services.

All up, Madrid's railway serves 1.5 billion passengers each year with 21 lines and 396 stations. Impressive, particularly given that Madrid's population is only 6.5 million. The underground stations are so huge that they can hold public events, such as the three-day fitness festival in May 2011, which attracted 2,600 visitors. One station contains a 200-square-meter archaeological museum. Madrid Metro has 1,656 escalators, the most of any system in the world. New York City The subway system that's about more than commuting. It would be grossly unjust to leave out the city whose subway system, at least, never sleeps. New York City's MTA subway lines are doubled up so all local and express trains can run simultaneously along the same routes, 24 hours a day. And even when carrying out major work on a line, only a single track is decommissioned, leaving a reduced but still-open service. That's planning. Hurricane Sandy hit the network hard in 2012, though it was quick to rebound with only a few areas yet to return to 100 percent.

Extra points must go to New York City for the MTA's Music Under New York program, supporting local musicians. Speaking of musicians, a trip on the MTA isn't complete without encountering a busker (or beggar) doing the rounds of carriages. Tokyo Often crowded yet always super-efficient. Tokyo's rail system is legendary. Super-fast, super-punctual, super-everything. Some 102 train lines, an estimated 14 billion passengers per year. By most measures, Tokyo should take first place on anyone's list of best metros. Successfully navigating Tokyo by train (and working out which station exit to use) is a proud moment for any traveler. For some a positive, others a negative, you risk social-pariah status if you ever talk on your phone while moving . That's consideration for others at its best. Or worst. Guangzhou, China From zero to 1.2 billion passenger in 20 years. After failing five times in 30 years to create a metro system, Guangzhou's first metro line was finally opened in 1997 and a second line was opened in 2002.

Infrastructure investment exploded in 2004 when the city was awarded the 2010 Asian Games. In the ensuing six years, the council spent RMB 70 billion (US$11 billion) on the metro system. For going from absolute zero in 1992 to eight lines, 144 stations, 236 kilometers of track and 1.2 billion passengers in 2008, and for the upcoming 48-minute express-trip to Hong Kong (opening in 2015), Guangzhou must get a mention. The Busiest Subway Systems in the World Busiest Subways The World's Busiest Subway Systems in Major Cities Passengers board a subway car at a metro station in 2005 in Tokyo, the world's busiest subway system. Subway trains operated by the Tokyo metropolitan government began running 'Women Only' cars during the morning hours in order to prevent railway gropers. Junko Kimura/Staff By Katherine Schulz Richard Subways, also known as Metros or the Underground, are an easy and economical form of rapid transit in approximately 160 world cities.

After paying their fares and consulting their subway maps, residents and visitors to the city can quickly travel to their home, hotel, work, or school. Travelers can get to government administration buildings, businesses, financial institutions, medical facilities, or religious worship centers. People can also travel to the airport, restaurants, sporting events, shopping venues, museums, and parks. Local governments closely monitor the subway systems to ensure their safety, security, and cleanliness. Some subways are extremely busy and crowded, especially during commuting hours. Here is a list of the fifteen busiest subway systems in the world and some of the destinations that the passengers might be traveling to. It is ranked in order of total annual passenger rides. The World's Busiest Subway 1. Tokyo, Japan Metro – 3.16 billion annual passenger rides Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is the world’s most populated metropolitan area and home to the world’s busiest metro system, with approximately 8.7 million daily riders. continue reading below our video What are the Seven Wonders of the World This metro opened in 1927. Passengers may travel to the many financial institutions or Shinto temples of Tokyo.

2.Moscow, Russia Metro – 2.4 billion annual passenger rides Moscow is the capital of Russia, and about 6.6 million people daily ride beneath Moscow. Passengers may be trying to reach Red Square, the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, or the Bolshoi Ballet. Moscow metro stations are very beautifully decorated, representing Russian architecture and art. 3. Seoul, South Korea Metro – 2.04 billion annual passenger rides The metro system in Seoul , the capital of South Korea, opened in 1974, and 5.6 million daily riders can visit financial institutions and the many palaces of Seoul. 4. Shanghai, China Metro – 2 billion annual passenger rides Shanghai , the largest city in China, has a subway system with 7 million daily riders. The metro in this port city opened in 1995. 5. Beijing, China Metro – 1.84 billion annual passenger rides Beijing , the capital of China, opened its subway system in 1971. About 6.4 million people daily ride this metro system, which was expanded for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

Residents and visitors can travel to the Beijing Zoo, Tiananmen Square, or the Forbidden City. 6. New York City Subway, USA – 1.6 billion annual passenger rides The subway system in New York City is the busiest in the Americas. Opened in 1904, there are now 468 stations, the most of any system in the world. About five million people daily travel to Wall Street, the United Nations headquarters, Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, or theater shows on Broadway. The MTA New York City Subway map is incredibly detailed and complex. 7. Paris, France Metro – 1.5 billion annual passenger rides The word “metro” comes from the French word “metropolitain.” Opened in 1900, about 4.5 million people daily travel beneath Paris to reach the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, or the Arc de Triomphe. 8.

Mexico City, Mexico Metro – 1.4 billion annual passenger rides About five million people daily ride the Mexico City metro, which opened in 1969 and displays Mayan, Aztec, and Olmec archaeological artifacts in some of its stations. 9. Hong Kong, China Metro – 1.32 billion annual passenger rides Hong Kong, an important global financial center, opened a subway system in 1979. About 3.7 million people ride daily. 10. Guangzhou, China Metro – 1.18 billion Guangzhou is the third largest city in China and has a metro system which opened in 1997. This important trade and commercial center is an important port in Southern China. 11. London, England Underground – 1.065 billion annual passenger rides London , United Kingdom opened the world’s first metro system in 1863. Known as the “Underground,” or “The Tube,” about three million people daily are told to “mind the gap.” Some stations were used as shelters during the air raids of World War II.

Popular sights in London along the Underground include the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, the Globe Theater, Big Ben, and Trafalgar Square. The 12th – 30th Busiest Subway Systems in the World 12. Osaka, Japan – 877 million 13. St. Petersburg, Russia – 829 million 14. Sao Paulo, Brazil – 754 million 15. Singapore – 744 million 16. Cairo, Egypt – 700 million 17. Madrid, Spain – 642 million 18. Santiago, Chile – 621 million 19. Prague, Czech Republic – 585 million 20. Vienna, Austria – 534 million 21. Caracas, Venezuela – 510 million 22. Berlin, Germany – 508 million 23. Taipei, Taiwan – 505 million 24. Kiev, Ukraine – 502 million 25. Tehran, Iran – 459 million 26.

Nagoya, Japan – 427 million 27. Buenos Aires, Argentina – 409 million 28. Athens, Greece – 388 million 29. Barcelona, Spain – 381 million 30. Munich, Germany – 360 million Additional Subway Facts The metro in Delhi, India is the busiest metro in India. The busiest metro in Canada is in Toronto. The second busiest metro in the United States is in Washington, DC, America’s capital. Subways: Convenient, Efficient, Beneficial A busy subway system is very beneficial to the residents and visitors in many world cities. They can quickly and easily navigate their city for business, pleasure, or practical reasons. The government uses the revenues raised by fares to further improve the city’s infrastructure, safety, and administration. Additional cities around the world are constructing subway system, and the ranking of the world’s busiest subways will likely change over time. 10 Largest Metro Systems In The World - 10 Most Today 10 Largest Metro Systems In The World Transportation Before you is a list of the largest metro systems in the world.

There are over 165 distinct systems that can be referred as metro system, subway systems or underground systems, and their size can be measured by a number of factors – number of users, total length of rails or number of stations. Here we decided to list the metro systems by the number of stations, and mention the other factors as well 1. New York City Subway, NYC, United States – 421 stations – The famous subway of NYC has the largest number of stations in the world. Opened in 1904, it’s also one of the oldest (8th oldest to be exact). The NYC subway has a total length of 373 km (232 mi) – that’s 4th in the world, and a whooping 1.7 billion riders as to 2013! Largest Metro Systems In The World: NYC subway 2. Paris Métro, Paris , France – 303 stations – The Paris Métro opened in 1900 – the 5th oldest metro system in the world.

It has 303 stations spread over 214 km (133 mi) and over 1.5 billion riders enjoying fast and reliable transportation every year Largest Metro Systems In The World: Paris Métro (source: Fabio Venni @ flickr ) 3. Madrid Metro, Madrid , Spain – 300 stations – With almost the same number of stations as Paris and even a larger total length – 293 km (182 mi), the Madrid Metro was first opened in 1919. It has “only” 500 million riders every year – the least number of riders between all the metro systems on this list Largest Metro Systems In The World: Madrid Metro 4. Seoul Subway, Seoul, South Korea – 296 stations – The Seoul Subway opened much later than the previous systems – in 1974. It has a total length of 327.0 km (203.2 mi) and has the second largest number of riders – over 2.5 billion every year!! Largest Metro Systems In The World: Seoul Subway 5.

London Underground (“The Tube”), London , England – 270 stations – The famous London Tube first opened as an “underground railway” in 1863, but the first electric line opened in 1890 making it the world’s very first metro system. It’s also the third longest system with 402 km (250 mi) and more than 1.2 billion users each year Largest Metro Systems In The World: London Underground (“The Tube”) 6. Shanghai Metro, Shanghai, China – 263 stations – Shanghai Metro is only 6th where it comes to number of stations, but it has the longest length in the world – 538 km (334 mi)! Considering it only opened in 1993, this is truly an achievement! Shanghai Metro is also one of the busiest systems in the world with over 2.5 billion riders each year Largest Metro Systems In The World: Shanghai Metro 7. Beijing Subway, Beijing, China – 232 stations – Beijing Subway is the busiest metro system in the world with over 3.2 billion users each year!

China can be proud of being the only country with metro systems in this list Largest Metro Systems In The World: Beijing Subway 8. Mexico City Metro, Mexico City, Mexico – 195 stations – Mexico City Metro has 195 stations spread over 226.5 km (140.7 mi) and servicing 1.6 billion riders yearly Largest Metro Systems In The World: Mexico City Metro 9. Moscow Metro, Moscow , Russia – 194 stations – The Moscow metro system opened in 1934 and has a combined length of 325.4 km (202.2 mi). It services almost 2.5 billion people every year. But the Moscow metro is not just another metro system. The stations are known as “Underground palaces”. The beautiful underground structures are designed with care: with pictures on the walls, chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and more. The stations of the Moscow Metro are a major tourist attraction on their own.

Some of the most beautiful stations are Komsomolskaya Metro Station, Kievskaya Metro Station, Prospekt Mira Metro Station, Park Pobedy Metro Station, Novoslobodskaya Metro Station, Mayakovskaya Metro station Largest Metro Systems In The World: Moscow Metro (source: Mikhail (Vokabre) Shcherbakov @ flickr ) The underground palaces of Moscow – the Moscow metro stations 10. Tokyo Metro, Tokyo, Japan – 179 stations – The 179 stations of the Tokyo Metro are spread over a combined length of 195.1 km (121.2 mi).

The Tokyo Metro is used by 2.3 billion people every year Largest Metro Systems In The World: Tokyo Metro And in places 11-13, almost made the cut are the Berlin U-Bahn which opened in 1902, the Chicago ‘L’ – opened in 1897 as the very first metro system in America, and the Barcelona Metro The world's 14 largest metro systems (photos) | ZDNet This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca No. 13: Cairo, Egypt Cairo's Metro system is one of only two comprehensive metro systems in Africa; the other is in Algiers. First opened in 1987, the system consists of three operational lines and today carries about 837 million riders, per 2010/2011 figures. A ride costs just one Egyptian pound, or about US$0.15, which helps to address the city's rapid growth since the 1980s.

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca No. 12: Sao Paulo, Brazil What can you say about Sāo Paulo's famous metro system? Well, for starters, it's the second largest system in South America and the third largest in Latin America, behind systems in Mexico City and Santiago. Launched in 1974, the system now carries 877.2 million people for an average of 3 Brazilian Real, or about US$1.32 -- critical for a city expected to be one of the fastest growing, economically speaking, in the next decade. This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca No. 11: London, England London's Underground (and its recognizable circular symbol) has reached iconic status, and rightly so: "the Tube" began operation in 1863.

Today, it has a breathtaking 11 lines serving almost 1.2 billion passengers, per 2011 figures. A ride isn't cheap, though: the zoned system starts at £4.50, which is about US$6.85. Much cheaper fares can be had through the use of the Oyster contact-less "smart card." This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca No. 10: Paris, France The Paris Metro system is best known around the world for its original Art Nouveau entrances, which date back to the system's inauguration in 1900. Today's system, which includes 14 inner-city lines and five regional lines, the underground heart of France's capital city, and handles 1.51 billion passengers each year, per 2011 figures. A ride will set you back 1.70 Euro, or about US$2.25.

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca No. 9: Hong Kong, China Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway first opened in 1979 and now has 10 light rail lines and a ridership of 1.6 billion, making it the number one mode of public transport in a city of seven million people. How did it achieve such growth in that short amount of time? Government backing. A basic adult fare costs HK$3.50, or about $0.45. Similar to London, Hong Kong's system has a contact-less "smart" fare card named Octopus. This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca No. 8: Mexico City, Mexico Don't underestimate Mexico City's sprawling Metro, which carried 1.61 billion people in 2012 and spans 12 lines.

The system, which began operation in 1969, is what keeps Mexico's capital city moving and is a key strategy to curb the city's massive automotive gridlock problem. At three Mexican pesos, or about US$0.25, a ride won't made too much of a dent in your wallet. It's also music to the ears of a city with 8.8 million people. This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca No. 7: New York, United States of America New York is called the city that never sleeps, and a key tool for that is a transit system that doesn't, either. The 24-hour network carried 1.66 billion people in 2012 -- enough to place it on this list, but also enough to lead the U.S. by a large margin. (Consider: its Lexington Avenue 4-5-6 subway line carries more passengers every day than the entire Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. metro systems combined.

) The system has 34 lines and began operation in 1904; a ride will run you US$2.25. This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca No. 6: Guangzhou, China Guangzhou is probably among the least-known cities on this otherwise star-studded list, but name recognition means little when you successfully carried 1.83 billion riders to their destinations in 2012. The city's metro was the fourth such system built in China, and opened in 1997. The system has grown at break-neck speed since then, and now spans eight lines. It costs as little as two Chinese yuan -- about US$0.33 -- to ride. This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca No. 5: Shanghai, China Twelve lines. Almost 300 stations.

The third-longest system in the world -- and it was only opened in 1993. Oh, and did we mention that there are several more lines under construction? Shanghai's metro saw 2.28 billion passengers in 2012, no slouch for China's most populous city. At just three yuan per ride, or about US$0.50, it's a deal, too. This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca No. 4: Beijing, China The oldest metro system in China has hardly rested on its laurels since it first opened in 1969, and now handles upwards of 2.46 billion riders, per 2012 figures. It's the second-longest system in the world. Amazingly, 15 of its 17 lines were built after 2002, and it's still building: two more lines are scheduled to come online in the next two years.

With a fare of two Chinese yuan, or about US$0.33, it's a regular contender for most affordable in China, thanks to significant government subsidies. This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca No. 3: Moscow, Russia Moscow's famed Metro is among the most beautiful in the world, thanks to its marble walls, high ceilings and elaborate chandeliers. But the state-owned system is also a day-to-day powerhouse, with 12 lines and 2.46 billion passengers in 2012. Opened in 1935, the system is rather inexpensive -- just 30 Russian rubles per ride, or about US$0.91 -- and "smart" card-enabled. This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca No. 2: Seoul, South Korea It may be a cliché to say, but Seoul's Metropolitan Subway has soul.

With 19 lines and a clean, efficient demeanor, there's little reason to wonder why the system saw 2.52 billion passengers in 2011. Seoul's metro first opened in 1974, and as befits its Korean location, it's now kitted out with all the finest technology: mobile applications, massive electronic displays and, naturally, a "smart" payment system that will set you back 1,050 won, or about US$0.93, per ride. Photo: Keith Lee This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca No. 1: Tokyo, Japan The most populous city in the world -- by a long shot -- also has the busiest public transport system in the world, too. Tokyo's joint Metro and Toei Subway systems saw an astounding 3.1 billion riders in 2011. The Metro spans nine lines and the Subway another four; they first opened in 1927 and 1960, respectively.

The entire system handles the Japanese and English languages with ease, and contact-less fare cards are plentiful. A ride on the world's most traveled public transit system costs just 160 Japanese yen, or about US$1.61. It's a tremendous human achievement. What have you got to lose? This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com Published: August 1, 2013 -- 10:52 GMT (03:52 PDT) Caption by: Andrew Nusca The Nine Toughest Railway Stations in Europe The Nine Toughest Railway Stations in Europe Posted on May 9, 2011 by Andy Hayes When in Europe, the best way to travel from one city to another or from one country to the other is by train . Europe probably has the most extensive railways in the world. There must be over a hundred train stations, all exceptionally well-connected to each other. Because railway stations are numerous, there will always be those which go beyond normal engineering. Many of the busiest, the largest, the deepest and the longest and tallest are located in Europe.

And in celebration of Rail Europe’s new Rail Concierge service, which helps you travel hassle-free, let’s highlight nine of the toughest railway stations in Europe. Gare du Nord in Paris, France Located in Paris, France, Gare du Nord, or North Station, is considered as the busiest railway station in terms of passengers all over Europe. According to statistics, it serves approximately 200 million travelers annually. This train station, owned by the French National Railway Corporation (SNCF), is a hub which connects several lines, especially traveling towards Northern Europe. It also serves tourists from the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium as it has lines connected to these countries. This station, built in 1864 and rebuilt in 1889, along with several expansions between 1940 and 1960, has 44 platforms. Clapham Junction in London, England In terms of the number of trains per hour served by a single station, the winner is Clapham Junction. Located in Battersea, London, this railway station has 180 trains every hour passing through the station, with 110 trains stopping to pickup/dropoff passengers.

Daily, more than 2,000 trains pass through Clapham Junction. This railway station is owned by Network Rail and managed by South West Trains. It has 17 platforms, divided into northern groups, in west-southwesterly direction and southern groups, in southwesterly direction. Because it is a junction of several railway lines, it was named Clapham Junction. But even if it is a junction, opened in 1863, the station has very few public toilets, refreshment stalls or shopping stores – you’ll have to head to the friendly neighborhood of Clapham for that. Zurich Hauptbahnhof in Zurich, Switzerland This largest station in Switzerland is a railway hub which serves trains traveling across Switzerland, Austria, France, Germany and Italy. Zurich Hauptbahnhof, or Zurich Central Station, which opened in 1847 and rebuilt in 1990, is the oldest in the country. Opening from 5:00AM and closing at 1:00AM, this station serves almost 3,000 trains every day. Each day, 350,000 passengers pass through this station.

Located in Bahnhofplatz, this train station is not just busy because of the trains; it is also busy because it houses Shopsville, a large shopping center built underground. On Sundays, even if the city of Zurich is bare, this underground railway station, nicknamed Rail City, is pumping with activities. Leipzig Hauptbahnhof in Leipzig, Germany In terms of floor area, Leipzig Haupbahnhof must be the largest among the railway stations in Europe with 83,460 square meters. Opened in 1915, this train station was originally a joint passenger terminal for the Prussian state railways and the Royal Saxon State Railways. Its 24 platforms average 120,000 to 150,000 passengers daily. Annually, 54 million passengers use the railway station not just for the trains but also for its massive selection of shopping conveniences underground. Berlin Hauptbahnhof in Berlin, Germany As the main railway station in Berlin, Berlin Hauptbahnhof is at present considered as the largest train station with multiple levels.

Opened in 2006, it is constructed on the site of the historic Lehrter Bahnhof, which opened in 1871 as a link for trains coming from Berlin to Lehrter. Now it is a modern crossing station in Europe. There are six tracks in at the upper level and eight tracks at the lower level. Statistics have shown that 1,800 trains pass through the station daily. For the number of passengers, an estimated 350,000 travelers are using the train station every day. The farthest city reached by the tracks of this massive modern railway station is in Novosibirsk in Russia and Astana in Kazakhstan. Gare de Chatelet-Les Halles in Paris, France Perhaps it is not so hard to believe that in the undergrounds of Paris, France, there are 750,000 passengers daily traveling from one place to another? This figure includes those who are traveling through the Regional Express Network (REN), which amounts to almost half a million passengers. Of this network, it is Gare de Chatelet-Les Halles that is considered as the busiest underground train station, not just in Europe, but in the whole world.

Every hour during the peak period, 120 trains pass through the railway station. Jungfraujoch Railway in Interlaken, Switzerland The highest railway station in Europe is located in Switzerland, a cool 3,454 meters above sea level. In 1896, the work for the construction of the railway station and the tunnels was started. For more than 85 years, it has become a tourist destination, especially for those who are traveling or plainly sightseeing the Swiss Alps as there are great connections to other popular destinations and trains, such as the Glacier Express, one of the world’s most famous named passenger trains . Arsenalna in Kiev, Ukraine Arsenalna is the deepest railway station in the whole world. Located 105.5 meters below the ground, it only has one platform and contains two tracks. The station was opened in 1960 and is owned by Kiev Metro. In order to go to the railway station, one must use an escalator that takes five minutes to travel standing still – this is probably considered as the longest escalator ride in the world. Traveling from Sviatoshynsko to Brovarska Line, this crazy construction should not be missed.

Park Pobedy in Moscow, Russia Although second only to Arsenalna in Kiev, with its 84 meters depth, Park Pobedy railway station has one platform forming an island between two tracks that travel from Arbatsko to Pokrovskaya. The escalator-ride towards the surface and vice versa takes about three minutes. Opened in 2003, this station has an interesting feature; those who alight from the train do not get the chance to see those who will board the train, since the entrance and exit are in different locations. What do you think is the toughest railway station in Europe? The Nine Toughest Railway Stations in Europe Andy Hayes Related About the Author Andy Hayes is the founder and creator of Plum Deluxe. He authors our award-winning weekly email newsletter, The Blend and curates our popular organic tea of the month club . Click here to see more featured articles from Andy.

The Worldï¿½s 10 Busiest Subway Systems - Democratic Underground The Worldï¿½s 10 Busiest Subway Systems from Txchnologist complete list with photos is at: White Glove Service: The Worldï¿½s 10 Busiest Subway Systems April 26th, 2012 Tokyo and its famed white-gloved shoving service, which helps pack the crowded subways trains, may be the worldï¿½s busiest public transport system but itï¿½s under pressure from its Asian neighbors. In the past decade, other Asian cities have populated their undergrounds with busy commuters. Indeed, underscoring Asiaï¿½s growing economic clout, today the region is home to seven of the worldï¿½s 10 busiest transit systems. This trend could foster a new loose economic rule: As GDP grows, urbanites go underground. 1. Tokyo Replies to this discussion thread 8 replies The Worldï¿½s 10 Busiest Subway Systems (Original post) marmar May 2012 #5 1. Moscow and Paris definitely get the award for most stylish stations At least based on those photos. 2.

Moscow stations are pretty cool 4. RZM RZM One of the reasons the Moscow underground stations is as they are today - more like palaces than subway stations, is because back in the days when Stalin was the upper dog in USSR, he decided that he wanted to build a underground station service and make it also some of a propaganda instrument to how great the USSR was.. And also to give the masses a taste of the arts... And what an art it was indeed... It was impressive then - and are still impressive if you have the time to look at what is underground... And the collective still cost less to use the sub, than to use the other collective transports... (I think some between 8 or 15 copek.) And the underground stations is deeper than in most other nations - as it also was meant to be used as shelter if USSR ever got to war - and most of the stations in down-town Moscow was ready in 1941, when the war started... And the stations was indeed used to protect the civilians when the germans hit Moscow in 1941... Many russians in the capital, survived mostly because of this underground subway stations..

As they did it in London at the same time, when Germany did their best to blow London to pieces... It is also rumored, that Stalin used some parts of this subway system to travel to places inside, or outside of Moscow out of sight of everyone... And some other parts, who was build but never used by the public, is known to have been used by the government of Soviet Union, and later by the russian authority as some form of emergency services where all the most important government offices and buildings is connected to the subway system - for the governments use.. The Subway system used by the government is more or less like an subway on their own, trailing out from Kremlin, and other important offices to parts long away from Moscow.. To more or less secrets railroad stations, who until 1991 was on standby alert, if ever the need arise (No, it is not a James Bond plot, but a really one) Diclotican World’s best Metro Rail Systems | Aarnav... World’s best Metro Rail Systems Here are the world’s most popular international underground transit systems. . . 1. New York The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority.

The NYCTA is a subsidiary of Metropolitan Transportation Authority. From 28 stations, when it was founded in October, 1904, it has grown to 462 stations. The subway carries 4.9 million people daily. It is one of the most extensive public transportation systems in the world, with 369 km of rail route. The subway is also among the few rapid transit systems in the world to run 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. 2. London The London Underground, usually referred to as the Tube, is Europe’s largest metro subway system and also the world’s oldest. Inaugurated in 1863, today it has 268 stations and covers 405 km of rail tracks. It transports over 976 million people yearly. The Underground serves a large part of Greater London and neighboring areas of Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire in England. 3. Paris The Paris subway system is the second oldest in the world and transports roughly 1.5 million people daily at modest fares. The subway system runs over 214 km and stops at 380 stations.

The network is so extensive that almost every building in Paris is within 500 meters of a subway station. Many of these stations are famous for their architecture, representing the Art Nouveau style. 4. Moscow The Moscow subway system caters to 3.2 billion riders travelling annually on 12 subway lines to 172 stations. The Moscow Metro covers approximately 290 km. On an average weekday, the subway itself carries about 8.2 million passengers. Each subway line is identified by an alphanumeric index (usually consisting of just a number), a name, and a color. The voice announcement systems refer to lines by name, while in colloquial usage they are mostly referred to by color. While most of the Moscow trains run underground, some lines cross bridges overlooking the Moskva and the Yauza Rivers. 5. Montreal The Montreal Metro is a rubber-tired metro system, and the main form of public transportation in the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Inaugurated in 1966, it is not too extensive — about 60 km, reaching 68 stations on four lines — but is a very modern system that was inspired by the Paris Metro.

It caters to 835,000 people daily. The Metro is operated by the Societe de Transport de Montreal 6. Madrid The Madrid Metro is the second largest underground system in Europe and the sixth largest in the world. The first line of the Madrid metro opened on October 17, 1919, under the direction of the Compania de Metro Alfonso XIII, with 8 stations and a 3.5-km track. This metro network now has 231 stations on 12 lines. It has 227 km of track and an additional 44 km of track is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The Madrid Metro is one of the densest metro networks in the world. 7. Tokyo Tokyo Metro is one of two metro systems making up the Tokyo subway system, the other being Toei. In addition to underground subways, the Tokyo transit system consists of the Toden Arakawa light rail line and the Ueno Zoo Monorail. The Tokyo subway system carries approximately 2.8 billion people per year to 282 subway stations. Efforts are made to make the system accessible to non-Japanese speaking users.

Many train stops are announced in both English and Japanese. Announcements also provide connecting line information. Ticketing machines can switch between English and Japanese user interfaces. Many stations’ railings often have Braille at their base meant for visually challenged commuters. 8. Seoul The Seoul Metropolitan Subway is one of the most heavily used subway systems in the world with more than 8 million daily trips. Seoul Metro is a public corporation which runs the Seoul Subway. During 1970-2006, it was called Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corporation. It is also one of the longest subway systems worldwide, running 287 km in length. The trains mostly run underground, but 30 per cent of the system is above ground. 9. Beijing The Beijing Subway opened in 1969 and serves Beijing and the surrounding suburbs. Just before the 2008 Beijing Olympic games began, it was further developed at a cost $7.69 billion. The expansion project has taken the length of the subway station to about 480 km. With almost a dozen lines and 123 stations currently in operation and average passenger strength of 3.4 million per day, the Beijing Subway is the busiest in mainland China.

10. Hong Kong The Hong Kong subway, also known as the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, was set up in 1979. Despite its relatively small size (90 km), compared to other metro systems across the globe, the MTR transports an average of 2.46 million rides per day. The Hong Kong system is based on a British design. Recently, approval was granted for the merger of the MTR and the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation, to make the system more cost-effective and efficient. 11. Sao Paolo The Sao Paulo Metro is the first underground transit system in Brazil and it began operations in 1974. It works alongside a larger company called the Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (CPTM) and together they cover about 300 km of track and transport approximately 3.7 million people daily. Sao Paulo is one of the largest cities in the world, with a population of 19 million. Its metro system consists of four color-coded lines: Line 1-Blue, Line 2-Green, Line 3-Red and Line 5-Lilac.

Line 4-Yellow is currently under construction and is due to start operating in late 2009. The metro system carries 3.2 million passengers a day. Like this:

Question: What city has the busiest European underground railway system?
Answer: Moscow