Which southern cities have the best public transit systerms? Which are the worst? (subways, compared)
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I looked into Miami's transit system awhile back and was really impressed. The only thing keeping me from naming it number one is it's got fewer miles of rail than Atlanta and (surprisingly to me) lower ridership.
Good point, Miami has lower ridership than Atlanta but Miami and Atlanta are the only 2 southern cities with subway systems, all the other cities have "light rail". So I'd go with MIA and ATL.
Miami transit is the most diverse in the south when i say diverse i mean buses, taxi's, subway, tri-rail, and metromover etc. but Atlanta's overall ridership is more than Miami's i believe so its a tossup between those 2.
^Fewer miles of rapid (transit) rail. But remember, Atlanta (as yet) has no commuter rail as does Miami. And TriRail stretches nearly the entire length of the huge, extremely long Southland metro area. The combo of TriRail, Metro Rail and Metro mover is pretty comprehensive, though not perfect. One big flaw -- no rail or Metro Mover system to dense, Manhattan-like Miami Beach across Miami Bay.
Ive always said that Miami needs to make a Miami Beach Metrorail Station maybe put a stop near South Beach or something...that would definitely increase ridership.
Atlanta probably has the best public transit, but I think Miami comes in a good second, just for its variety and good connections to Downtown Miami. There's the FREE Metromover with 21 stations in Downtown alone, plus Metrorail, Metrobus, and Tri-Rail connecting to Miami's suburbs.
They're also trying to build some more heavy-rail lines north and west of Downtown Miami.
They are also building that Grand Central Station next to the Miami Airport which will serve all public transit options I believe.
The reasons I like Miami's and Atlanta's public transit systems more is because of the rail systems. Both of them are elevated subway systems (Chicago style). While Dallas has the DART and Houston has its light rail line as well I just don't like light rail, the fact that it runs on the same street where cars are passing by and all those above cables and stuff eh not so good. Heavy rail just gives you more of a city feel than light rail.
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