Metro is a popular way of transportation in big cities in many countries. Metro systems come in different shapes and types: small, only 2-3 branches, and a huge, at least ten lines; from the old rattling cars, and trains, reminiscent of space ships, with God forgotten dirty stations, and with underground halls, being the living incarnation of the halls of Erebor (the once rich Kingdom of the dwarves from the book of John. Tolkien’s «The Hobbit»).

The best thing about new York is that it works round the clock and deliver passengers almost anywhere in the city.

source: flickr

There are at least half a dozen other metro systems, which day and night (a little more work 24 hours only at the weekend). In addition, 470 stations make the metro the Big Apple an absolute record in size. Second place goes to Shanghai with 364, lagging behind the leader by more than 100 stations. In other words, in new York you’ll never be too far from the metro station. For comparison, consider the metro to Dubai, where the metro line going from East to West, and you have to pass half a mile from the metro station «Dubai Mall» before the actual shopping center.

Metro station in Dubai source: wikimedia

We are moving on. Lately late trains in the underground have become almost the norm. On the one hand, it is good that the MTA is trying to do controlled metro is better, but always a little disturbing to observe the appearance of messages about delays. In the example here, you can put the Tokyo subway, where trains are late so rarely that when it happens, it gives passengers a «consolation» of travel.

Metro station in Tokyo, source: wikimedia

Another disadvantage is the lack of screens showing the waiting time of the next train, some of the stations. It is convenient and necessary element of the daily commute, which became the standard for much of the world. The absence of such screens in the Big Apple — a big surprise for visiting the city of foreigners.

However, in the subway of new York loses the most is in the aesthetics. Especially notable is the stunning stations of Moscow, with elegant chandeliers, statues, murals and marble floors. In Naples, there is a separate «art station», dedicated to impress passengers with its beauty. In Sweden there are also several modern plants with modern, bright design.

Metro station in Moscow, source: wikimediametro Station in Sweden, source: wikimedia

Station on line 1 to 191st street, is located at a depth of 55 meters under the ground. It is only at first glance it seems great depth. But there is in the world of the station and deeper, for example, the station «Arsenalnaya» in Kiev, which hid almost two times deeper on 106 metres. The deepest metro system in principle is a metro station in St. Petersburg in Pyongyang that can be used as bomb shelters. One thing is certain that the trip on the escalator in these cities is quite a ride.

The station Arsenalna, is the deepest metro station in the world, source: wikimediametro Station in Saint Petersburg, source: wikimedia

As for cleanliness, subway new York is somewhere between Singapore, where at most stations there is quite a decent restrooms, and Mumbai, where heat and a huge flow of people contribute to a pleasant smell in cars.

Metro in Mumbai, source: wikimedia

Slow the growth of spending on metro is on par with most major cities. But it is doubtful whether new York will survive the metro system, as in Berlin or Oslo, where even no turnstiles. There is increasingly based on trust, although the lines sometimes there are controllersthat prescribe serious penalties for those traveling without a ticket.

Metro station in Berlin, source: wikimedia

In General, the subway system in NYC is pretty decent. Like most types of transport it has its advantages and disadvantages. Well, what in our time they are not. Even if the bike is sometimes overtake a taxi, then what kind of objectivity can be said?

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