A metro system is a rapid transit train system. In some cases, metro systems are referred to as subways or undergrounds. The first metro system, the London Underground, was opened in 1863. As of 2009[update], there are approximately 140 metro systems in the world.
[edit] Considerations
A metro system is defined as an urban, electric passenger transportation system with high capacity and high frequency of service, which is totally independent from other traffic, road or pedestrians.[1][2] The terms heavy rail (mainly in North America) and heavy urban rail often have similar definitions.[3][4]
The dividing line between metro and other modes of public transport, such as light rail and commuter rail, is not always clear. A common way to distinguish metro from light rail is by their separation from other traffic. While light rail systems may share roads or have level crossings, a metro system runs, almost always, on a grade-separated exclusive right-of-way, with no access for pedestrians and other traffic. And in contrast to commuter rail, metro 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, most metro 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 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 metro systems, 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, or people movers, such as amusement park, ski resort and airport transportation systems.
[edit] Legend
- Location
- Country, and primary city served by the metro system.
- Name
- The most common English name of the system.
- Opened
- The year the system was opened for commercial service with metro 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.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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[edit] See also
- ^ "Metro". International Association of Public Transport. http://www.uitp.org/Public-Transport/metro/index.cfm. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
- ^ Schwandl, Robert (2007). "What is a metro?". UrbanRail.Net. http://www.urbanrail.net/about.htm#definition. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
- ^ "Glossary of Transit Terminology". American Public Transportation Association. http://www.apta.com/research/info/online/glossary.cfm. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- ^ "The demand for public transport: a practical guide". Transport Research Laboratory. p. 6. http://www.demandforpublictransport.co.uk/TRL593.pdf. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- ^ Trial operation since 1969. Fully operational and open to public since 1981.
- ^ Schwandl, Robert. "Dalian". UrbanRail.net. http://www.urbanrail.net/as/dalian/dalian.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
- ^ Rohde, Mike. "Cairo". Metro Bits. http://mic-ro.com/metro/metrocity.html?city=126. Retrieved 2008-03-22.
- ^ Paris Metro network had 297 stations and was 211.3 km long in 2004. In 2007, the network was extended with 1 station and 1.6 kilometers.
"Les Transports en commun (French)". Syndicat des Transports d'Ile-de-France. http://www.stif-idf.fr/IMG/pdf/STIF_Les_chiffres_2005.pdf. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
"Paris: new section of Metro Line 14 opened". Infrasite.net. 2007-07-02. http://www.infrasite.net/news/news_article.php?ID_nieuwsberichten=7579&language=en&refresh=1. Retrieved 2008-02-24. - ^ The Berlin S-Bahn is not included here. It may be considered a hybrid between metro and a suburban railway. Urbanrail.net consider it to be a full rapid transit system, while others, like World Metro List, The International Association of Public Transport, and Bombardier, indicate that the S-Bahn is a suburban or commuter railway system.
- ^ "The Berlin metro (U-Bahn)". Means of Transport & Routes. BVG. http://www.bvg.de/index.php/en/Bvg/Index/folder/670/name/Underground. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
- ^ The green line, operated by Athens-Piraeus Electric Railway, was opened in 1869 as a steam train railway line. It was electrified in 1904, extended with underground sections through the city in the 1950's, and extended to its full length in 1957. Full metro operation since 1904 or 1957 according to UrbanRail.net.
"Information on Line 1 - Technical Data". ISAP. http://www.isap.gr/eng/page.asp?id=46. Retrieved 2008-12-28.
- ^ The blue line also has a 21.2 km part (with 4 stations) to the airport that is owned by the Hellenic Railways Organisation and is mainly used by the suburban railway system.
"Operation". Attiko Metro S.A.. http://www.amel.gr/index.php?id=22&L=1. Retrieved 2008-12-28.
Schwandl, Robert. "Athens Metro". UrbanRail.net. http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/athens.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-28. - ^ "Train Services". MTR Corporation. http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/intro_index.html. Retrieved 2008-09-24.
- ^ Megha Suri Singh (2009-11-13). "Metro steps out". Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/TNN12noidatimattn-all-centres-from-delhi-metro-deskPRASANNAMETRO-STEPS-OUT/articleshow/5224265.cms.
- ^ Currently, line 1, 2 and 6 are rapid transit. Additional suburban lines will be upgraded to rapid transit standard.
Schwandl, Robert. "Napoli". UrbanRail.net. http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/nap/napoli.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-23. - ^ Parts of Line 1 and Line 3 overlaps with conventional railways that were built before 1974.
- ^ There are 147 stations on the network map, counting transfer stations as one. The sum of number of stations for all lines is 175.
"Datos de operacion (Spanish)". Metro de la Ciudad de Mexico. http://www.metro.df.gob.mx/operacion/cifrasoperacion06.html. Retrieved 2008-05-27. - ^ Line 50, 53, and 54 are rapid transit. Numbers exclude light rail line 51. "World Metro List". metro bits. 2008-01-10. http://mic-ro.com/metro/metrolist.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Kazan Subway". http://www.kazantransport.by.ru/metro/index~e.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
- ^ Opening year (1935), network length (292.2 km) and number of stations (177), are according to official webpage. Corrsesponding page in Russian states 177 stations. When counting transfer stations only once using the metro map, the number is 142 (excluding monorail line, but including light metro line).
"Moscow Metro". Moscow Metro. http://engl.mosmetro.ru/pages/page_0.php?id_page=2. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
"Moscow Metro Map". Moscow Metro. http://engl.mosmetro.ru/flash/scheme01.html. Retrieved 2008-09-29. - ^ "SL Annual Report 2007". Storstockholms Lokaltrafik. 2008-06-27. p. 29. http://www.sl.se/upload/eng_text/uploads/annual_reports/annual_report_07.pdf. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
- ^ The Lausanne Metro has two lines. Line 1 is light rail, line 2 is rapid transit. Stats are for line 2 only.
"Metro m2". Transports publics de la région lausannoise. http://web-anc.t-l.ch/m2_old/080918m2factsheet.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-28. - ^ "Operating System". Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited. http://www.bts.co.th/en/btstrain_01.asp. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
- ^ "Key facts". London Underground. Transport for London. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/1608.aspx. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
- ^ The red, orange, and blue lines of the subway is rapid transit. The elevated orange line opened in 1901, sharing Tremont street subway that opened in 1897 as an underground tram tunnel for the green line.
Schwandl, Robert. "Boston T". UrbanRail.net. http://www.urbanrail.net/am/bost/boston.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
"About the T - Financials - Appendix: Statistical Profile". MBTA. 2007. http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/About_the_T/Financials/9_Appendix.pdf. Retrieved 2008-02-25. - ^ Red and purple lines.
"Facts at a Glance". Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. http://www.metro.net/news_info/facts.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-25. - ^ First regular elevated railway service began in 1870. The first section of subway opened in 1904. According to official statistics, the subway has 468 stations. With transfer stations counted as one, the number is 421 (according to system map and article in the New York Post; not including two temporarily closed stations counted as part of the 468).
"New York City Transit - History and Chronology". Metropolitan Transportation Authority. http://mta.info/nyct/facts/ffhist.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
"MTA New York City Transit - 2006 Preliminary Budget". Metropolitan Transportation Authority. http://www.mta.info/mta/budget/pdf/Section%20VIId%20-%20Agency%20Financial%20Plans%20-%20NYCT.pdf. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
Jeremy Olshan (2006-08-21). "Lone riders of the Rockaways". New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/seven/08212006/news/regionalnews/lone_riders_of_the_rockaways_regionalnews_jeremy_olshan__transit_reporter.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-24. - ^ "BART System Facts". San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District. http://www.bart.gov/about/history/systemFacts.asp. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
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[edit] Further reading
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