This article discusses the 5 Largest Metro Networks in The World. If you want to get detailed analysis on the global metro infrastructure market, you can head on to 15 Largest Metro Networks in The World.
5. Delhi Metro, India
Insider Monkey Score: 217.6
Delhi became the second city after Kolkata that adopted metro line mode of transportation. Coming into its existence in 2002, the Delhi Metro has seen tremendous expansion over time, having a network of 288 stations across 12 high-capacity lines, which spans across 250 miles of tracks. In terms of length, it is ranked as the 12th biggest metro network in the world, while it sits at 16th place in terms of usage. The significance and efficiency of the system can be seen from the fact that 2 billion trips were made on the Delhi Metro in 2023 alone! Moreover, project worth $1 billion is approved by the Union Cabinet of New Delhi for the purpose of installing two new rail corridors to foster the improvement of public transport, according to Mint.
4. Seoul Metro, Korea
Insider Monkey Score: 317
Seoul Metro runs as an epitome of Korea’s hi-tech infrastructure, aspiring many urban transit planners across the globe. Since its birth in 1974, it has evolved substantially into a network consisting of 9 lines, covering 500 miles distance with 288 stations, catering to the city’s staggering population of 10 million! Reportedly, 70% of Seoul’s population is known to be commuting through the metro every day, not only because of the extensive scale of the network, but also because of its astonishing maintenance of cleanliness and efficiency.
3. Shanghai Mass Rapid Transit, China
Insider Monkey Score: 367
Setting a goal to become the longest and busiest subway network in the world, Shanghai’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), which saw its inception in 1993, has been growing rapidly ever since. It now runs through 14 of the 16 districts of Shanghai, operating across 19 lines which equal over 500 miles in distance, which help it serve more than 40 million people of the country!
Shanghai’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) aims to expand the coverage of the system to 620 miles, and 25 lines by 2025. 10 million commuters are served by the network on a daily basis, thanks to its staggering number of stations, amounting to 408, according to Shanghai.Gov.CN! March 8, 2019, is considered as the most crowdy day in the metro’s history, seamlessly running 13.3 million trips during the whole day.
2. Beijing Metro, China
Insider Monkey Score: 409
Beijing Metro was constructed back in 1971, and ever since, it has expanded into a network of 27 lines, with 490 stations, spanning through 519 miles, also extending the Chinese Capital on to its outskirts. In the pre-Covid-19 era, it catered to over 10 million trips on everyday basis, while accounting for 3.84 billion trips in 2018 alone!
In futuristic sense, Beijing has expressed its intent to up its metro network in size; reportedly, 620 miles is the milestone that the city aims to achieve by 2025, so that they can help 18.5 million people make their trips on the daily basis. The city has also set the goal to shift 60% of the daily trips to be made through public transit by 2025, while majority of these would be through metro. Another commendable aspect of Beijing Metro is its affordability; you can find trips starting as low as $0.40 for a 4-mile journey.
1. New York City Subway, USA
Insider Monkey Score: 459.8
The longest and busiest network in North America, and the biggest metro network in the world, according to our list, is the grand New York City Subway. Boasting 25 lines, 472 stations, while covering 665 miles, sees over 3.5 million commuters traveling through the subway’s local and express trains every day. All five New York City’s boroughs – Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island – are made accessible to commuters 24/7!
Amidst the recent flooding in New York City, $6 billion investment is made by the state to address the resultant loss from those floods, showcasing the state’s commitment to ensure seamless running of the subway system.
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