Around the World
Cities all over the world are making major investments in public transit. Here are several cities that have either built a new metro system or opened a new subway line since 1985. Also noted are cities that have circular metro lines.
It bears repeating: the T has not opened a new subway line since 1912 and has not significantly expanded any subway since 1985! Developed and undeveloped nations are building transit infrastructure as we speak. We desperately need new transit in Boston. Let's get started!
Bangalore, India
Namma Metro
Opening in 2011, the Namma Metro consists of 2 lines, with 30 stations, stretching 19.6 miles. Daily ridership is 175,000. Extensions of the Green and Purple lines are currently under construction, which will add another 19.9 miles and 26 stations. 2 new lines (Yellow and Red) are also under construction, which will add 24.9 miles and 34 stations.
New Transit Systems (since 1985)
New Metro Lines (since 1985)
Seoul, South Korea
Shinbundang Line
The Shinbundang Line (or DX Line) is 19.3 miles long with 12 stations. It is the world's 5th subway to run completely driverless. It travels at speeds of over 55 mph. The initial route opened in 2011, and the second half opened in 2016. An expansion is currently under construction with an opening slated for 2022.
Washington D.C., USA
Silver Line
The Silver Line opened in 2014. It consists of 11.7 miles of new track and 5 new stations in the western suburbs of Washington DC. It continues east through downtown Washington sharing existing track with the Orange and Blue Lines for the remainder of its route. Phase 2 will extend the line to Dulles International Airport, adding another 11.5 miles and 6 stations when it opens in 2019.
London, UK
Elizabeth Line (Crossrail)
Crossrail is a 73-mile railway line under development in London. The line will provide high-frequency commuter and suburban passenger service that will link Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, via central London, to Essex and southeast London. It is expected to relieve pressure on existing London Underground lines such as the Central and District lines, which are the current main east-west passenger routes. The project's main feature is a new 13 mile tunnel under central London. The project was approved in 2007 and construction began in 2009. The central section is scheduled to open in 2018 with the western section opening in 2019. The cost of the project is £15.9 billion.
Circular Lines
Beijing, China
Line 2 (Blue) & Line 10 (Light Blue)
Beijing has two subway lines that circle the city:
Line 2, which opened in 1984, runs around the old city. The line is entirely underground, is 14.4 miles long, has 18 stations, connects with 10 of Beijing's 17 subway lines, and is one of the busiest in the system.
Line 10, which opened in phases from 2008 to 2013, runs 1 - 4 miles outside of the Line 2 loop. The line is entirely underground, is 35.5 miles long, has 45 stations, and connects all of Beijing's subway lines (except Line 2). It is the busiest line in the system.
