Best Public Transport Cities in the United States
When it comes to public transportation, some cities have a better system than others. For example, Chicago has an impressive system that serves over 35 different suburbs and millions of people. In addition, it provides direct rail service to all of the major Chicago airports. Meanwhile, Washington DC has one of the best and busiest public transportation systems in the country. Its subway system connects the city’s four quadrants, as well as communities in nearby Virginia and Maryland.
Seattle
Seattle has an efficient public transport system, though it is not as extensive as other major US cities. Busses are frequent but sometimes overcrowded, particularly during rush hour or event times. Fortunately, the fare is relatively cheap, and the city offers a free transfer pass. While bus routes are not always direct to the city center, they are connected and allow you to get almost anywhere in Seattle.
There are also a variety of modern streetcars in Seattle. The South Lake Union Streetcar line, which opened in December 2007, connects Westlake Center to South Lake Union. In 2016, the First Hill Streetcar line, which connects First Hill to the Link light rail station, began service after two years of delays. Until the Olympic Sculpture Park was built, Metro Transit operated the historic Waterfront Streetcar line along Alaskan Way, but it closed after the city’s Olympic Sculpture Park was finished.
The light rail system in Seattle has two lines, one from Downtown to Lake Union, and another along Broadway to Pioneer Square. Both lines stop at major tourist spots and take you to downtown and Pioneer Square. The other line goes through the International District and goes to the Museum of History and Industry. If you want to see more of the city, the light rail is an affordable way to get around. The cost of one ride is only $0.50 for seniors and $1.50 for youths between six and 18 years old.
When deciding on where to travel in Seattle, use the Metro’s online trip planner or mobile app. While it may not be as accurate as a physical trip planner, it does a good job for tourists and locals alike. For those who prefer to walk, you can download the free One Bus Away app, which gives you up-to-date arrival times for buses. Alternatively, use Google Maps to get a detailed map of the city’s public transport system.
Bicycles are another convenient option for getting around the city. There are many bike rental shops in the city and many streets are equipped with bike lanes. However, it is recommended that you wear a helmet when cycling in Seattle.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia has a good public transportation system that runs throughout the city and its suburbs. The system includes subway trains in some parts, regional trains, buses, and over-ground trolleys. Cash fares start at $2.50 and are accepted on all forms of public transportation. The SEPTA bus system offers a wide variety of routes and is extremely frequent – some routes run 24 hours a day.
The regional rail system serves almost every neighborhood in the city. This makes it an excellent option for long-distance travel. In addition, SEPTA offers a number of bus lines throughout the city, including the popular Night Owl. The system also offers ride-share services that can be convenient for a variety of needs.
Indigo, Philadelphia’s bike-share program, provides riders with convenient 24-hour access to a fleet of 1,000 bicycles. The bikes are available at self-service docking stations. Prices range from $12 for a 24-hour guest pass to $156 for an annual pass. The system is ideal for families and those who want to get around without renting a vehicle.
The SEPTA urban rail system and fare structure in Philadelphia help the city’s low-income residents get around. While many low-income people work in the city, they are still exposed to higher fares than those with higher incomes. The SEPTA fare structure also helps low-income residents travel to work.
The city has an extensive network of bike trails. These trails stretch for hundreds of miles in the greater Pennsylvania area. Some of the city’s best-known trails include the Boardwalk, Cooper River, Manayunk Bridge, and Pennypack. Taking a bike to Philadelphia is an excellent way to see this city.
Bicycles are an option for those who want to get around the city without having to deal with the city’s congestion and expensive taxi fares. Philadelphia is also home to the Schuylkill River Bike Path, a path that connects the city center with Valley Forge. There’s also a bike-share program called Indego that allows users to pick up and return bikes from any station. The cost for a day pass is $10.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) operates buses, subways, and commuter rail. The Orange Line, which is also known as the Broad Street Line, connects the Fern Rock Transportation Center to the NRG Station and the Sports Complex. The Orange Line also serves several neighborhoods on both sides of Broad Street.
Los Angeles
According to a study conducted by the University of Minnesota, Los Angeles is one of the best public transport towns in the country. The study compared the public transportation in 46 US metros to find which one was the best. It also considered job accessibility. Los Angeles was ranked third among those cities.
The area is connected to many major cities via bus lines. These services run two or three times an hour and cover wide areas. However, they aren’t cheap and prices can sometimes skyrocket during rush hours. A good way to avoid this is to download an app for your smartphone or look up the hours of operation of each public transport system.
The Los Angeles Metro system has a diverse mix of options for public transportation. Approximately 80% of riders are Black or Latinx, and 72% live in households making less than USD $25,000 per year. Despite the many options for public transportation, it is important to remain a bit alert and don’t wave your cell phone around in public.
The Metro system is an efficient way to travel throughout Los Angeles. The system includes subways, buses, and trains. You can take a bus to a subway station and then hop on a train to your destination. The Metro Rail system also has vending machines in many stations.
Many low-income households in the area don’t own a car. In fact, around 200,000 Los Angeles households do not have access to a car. This is primarily because of the city’s history of a large number of automobiles and high-density neighborhoods.
The metro has two rail lines. The Metro Silver Line connects the South Bay to Downtown Los Angeles, while the Metro Orange Line runs from North Hollywood to Warner Center. There are also Metro local buses on major streets throughout the city. The Metro system is environmentally friendly and efficient. The Metro website and Metro Transit app both have extensive information and schedules.
Bicycling is another option for getting around the city. While bicycle services are limited in the downtown area, they are a popular alternative. Moreover, scooters have become a big trend in Los Angeles over the past few years, so you can enjoy the convenience of a scooter while moving around the city.
Portland
Portland is a compact city with a good public transport system. The streetcar system operates three lines over 16 miles that connect the Lloyd District, PSU, and Central Eastside Industrial District. The Portland Streetcar also accepts Hop cards. It is a good choice for getting around the city and getting to nearby attractions.
Portland’s public transport is run by TriMet, which has an information center in Pioneer Courthouse Square. You can buy tickets online or at the ticket machines on the buses and streetcars. You can also buy a MAX ticket from the ticket machines at MAX stations. However, you should be aware that MAX is enforced by conductors.
Portland has a good bike share system and a number of bicycle lanes. Its motorists are also courteous and respect cyclists. Many streets have special markings for bicycles, including white pavement and green zebra crossings. In addition, there are green “bike boxes” at intersections.
Another option is to use a cab. Portland’s public transport is efficient and cheap. Taxi fares start at $3 and are based on distance. You can also add additional passengers for $1 each. Nonetheless, it is not recommended to take a taxi as public transportation is so reliable. If you plan on spending time in Portland, public transport is the best option. If you are planning to visit other parts of the city, rental cars can be helpful.
If you are new to the area, you may want to take public transportation to explore the city. There are numerous bus routes and light rail that cover most of the city. In addition, Portland has an excellent streetcar system. If you want to know more about the streetcar system, you can visit their website. The Portland Streetcar website has a detailed map of routes and transfer locations to MAX.
Portland’s MAX light rail system offers a convenient way to travel around the city. It has five lines and more than 90 stations. It connects the city, the airport, and the greater Portland area. All five lines travel through the downtown area and run about every 15 minutes. The Portland Streetcar, which was introduced in 2011, is another alternative to driving. It travels through the Pearl District and downtown.
