When you live in a big city, it's essential to learn the existing public transit scenario. While I own a car and commute out of the city for my job, I try not to use my car when in the city limits, especially during the summer. Public transit, while considered hellish for many, is an easy, cost-effective way to move about within these concrete jungles, and since moving to Chicago almost seven years ago, I'm not ashamed to admit it:
I secretly love public transportation.
Not only do I love its convenience and its prime people-watching, I am thoroughly intrigued with its history. I'm also amazed at its initial complexity to a first-timer. So many lines. So many choices. Yet once you acclimate yourself to the inner workings of public transit, one can navigate with ease.
The Chicago "L" system is color-based, which in my opinion, makes life a lot easier.
When my husband and I visit other cities, I do my best to learn the ins and outs of the public transportation that is available (much to his chagrin!) - especially to avoid exorbiant cab costs.
There was the "T" in Boston, which was also color-coded, making the transition from Boston to Chicago quite easy!
The MTA in New York. While it's not quite as easy to navigate as Chicago or Boston, we used it every single day. I can see how one might be completely overwhelmed, as there are colors, letters and numbers. Oy.
And for me, the Metro in Paris and Rome. I found the Paris Metro in particular to be incredibly easy to navigate, which allowed me to feel comfortable wandering the city on my own.
I've also used subway systems in D.C., Munich and a handful of other places, but these were the cities that I found to be incredibly convenient in their options.
And above all, I just really find the maps to be visually appealing:) My hope is to use versions of these maps to decorate my home someday - to bring a little piece of the city with me when my husband and I make the jump to the 'burbs.
Do you use public transportation???
soooo true girl ha love the chicago L lines that always help me get anywhere i need to in a matter of a few minutes or so ;) and ive been to the one in paris and it was SUPER easy to get around (and my french speaking sister helped out too at least telling me when to get off) lol ;) xo
ReplyDeleteLiving in small towns, we don't have much public transportation, but I loved the DC metro growing up and I love the Munich, Rome, London, and Oslo public transportation systems. Love the idea of bringing these maps into your home!
ReplyDeleteI used to take the bus in college since there was a route straight from school to the outside of my building downtown. I loved it because I got to read the entire time. Although, some of the people on there did give make me scared.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Monologues
We went to Rome in October and used only public transportation. I thought the metro was really easy. And we took trains to Florence and Pontessieve which was also fairly easy.
ReplyDeleteAs a small town gal, I don't use public transportation on a regular basis. However, if I lived in a city, I think I'd use it all the time. I LOVE metro systems. I went to visit a friend in Boston and, on my very first day there, I went into the city by myself, since she had to work. I LOVED it. I've also used the system in DC numberous times and on my one visit to Chicago. I also used Atlanta when I visited there! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI've never used public transit. They have it in the Twin Cities but I've never lived in an area where it would be useful.
ReplyDeleteConsidering I live in DC, I've used to metro plenty of times. And although it's generally easily accessible and goes to many places, I've found it's easier to just drive in the city. Sounds crazy, but the metro isn't always reliable, I've learned.
ReplyDeleteRandom is right! But I love to use public transportation too! It's SO much cheaper, and it can be more efficient :)
ReplyDeleteThe only time we've used public transportation was when we were in London and D.C. I found it really interesting and fun-I love any excuse to people watch!
ReplyDeleteI live outside of Boston, so I'm a big fan of the T! I agree that Chicago and Paris are really easy too. Oh...and the "tube" in London. So easy to navigate!
ReplyDeleteThis is a funny post. I actually prefer the bus to the el here. But, NYC, Boston, D.C. Paris and the Tube in London are all places I've used it too.
ReplyDeleteI don't use public transportation nearly as much as I should, but I'm very grateful for it when I do use it. Unfortunately the trains don't run late here in the Bay Area, so unless I'm coming home early, I kinda have to drive. Which can be nightmarish, since parking in San Francisco borders on absurd.
ReplyDeleteI seriously did not understand the L in Chicago at all, and if I hadn't had you with me, I probably would've been completely lost :)
ReplyDeleteLove this post! When I am back in Chicago, I love public transportation. Train, taxi, L, bus...I don't care! I even rode Metra from Naperville to Western Springs on Christmas Day to travel between family celebrations. I appreciate it all so much more after living in areas without strong public transit systems.
ReplyDeleteLondon has the most sensible public transit system in the world in my opinion. DC's is great too. The subway in Delhi was pretty efficient as well and it absolutely boggled my mind that the subway system in INDIA could be better than the one in New York. I LOVE public transit. I sold my car when I moved to Boston because I knew I just wouldn't need it and I haven't missed it since!
ReplyDeletePersonally, though I think the MTA in New York is horrific. I've traveled to enough places to know how to recognize the good and bad in a subway systems and NY is definitely one of the worst.
And I got to ride the El this weekend in Chicago! =)
I can say that the only exposure I had to public transit was in NYC. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be!
ReplyDeletePS....love the randomness!!!
This is so cool! I loved the L when we were in Chicago. Literally, if you had a map of Phoenix's very new "light rail" system, it would be ONE track! It's 20 miles long but it goes right through downtown so we use it a lot :) It's expanding soon! Yay public transportation!
ReplyDeleteWe've conquered public transportation in Philly, Boston, and DC. It's fun! Since we've been in NYC for 5 years, we've pretty much got it down. However, I will confess: I got on the wrong train the other day and felt SO dumb! Lesson learned: take the ipod off, think clearly for a moment, and if necessary, use a map.
ReplyDeleteObservation - neither Meghan nor anyone who commented uses public transportation to get to and from work every day. My feeling is that Meghan, myself, and the rest of the commenters like public transportation so much because we don't rely on it every day to get to and from work. It's an "adventure." I probably use it for about 30% of my work commutes. That's juuuuuuust enough. After my longest stretch of using it (about a month and a half) I can see how people who use it every day might get annoyed. It's the same people doing the same obnoxious crap every day. And it's always so CROWDED! Granted, it's also crowded when going to a ball game or concert because everyone else is going to the same place, but it's far less obnoxious because the destination is so much better than work.
ReplyDeleteAnd what about the bus??!?!?!?! I *LOVE* the bus!
Anyways, in general, Meghan, I share your love of public transportation. Now if I could only see Rahm on it since he gets on the Brown Line one stop before me!
I have to admit that public transportation intimidates me, especially since we have a pretty crappy system here in Philly. My friend navigates it to work everyday like a pro and loves it. If I lived in the city like you do, I would learn to the routes and use it on a regular basis. It is very convenient and cost effective too.
ReplyDeleteGirl, I'm with you. I love public transportation. Love subway systems and love it when I know what the red line is or where it goes...haha. :) Paris is my favorite one however, sometimes it takes forever to walk through all those tunnels to change trains but hey, I really don't mind. I even like the one in Philly, and NY...weird, oh and then one in London and Berlin. Hahaha. :) Can you guess? I'm all for public transportation!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this post! Since I'm from a small town, public transportation really isn't heavily used unless you're an airman stuck on the Air Force base and need to get into town. It's pretty essential to have a car. I've used public transportation in Chicago, NYC (which kinda intimidated me I must admit! Luckily I had Karina from C'est La Vie (peacelovecupcakeshappiness.blogspot.com) to show me around!) Italy, and London - I cherish my London Tube map!
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely frame those, especially the cities you've been to! That is SUCH a cool idea!!!
ReplyDeleteit would've been nice to see this before i went to chicago... (the first time) i probably should've done a little research or something, but not going to lie... my family and i looked like country coming to town and I'm pretty sure a homeless person told us which bus to get on because we were so pathetic.
ReplyDeletemy second visit went more smoothly. :)
I love public transportation, too. I take it daily to get to/from work now in NYC, and did the same for 3 years in D.C. Sometimes it can get frustrating (crowds, trains out of service, delays, etc.), but I love it a million billion times more than having a car. I haven't had a car in 7 years and I love it. We also love visiting cities with great public transportation systems (Chicago included!) - makes things so much easier!
ReplyDeleteI also love the maps! Have you seen this Etsy shop?: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dualhabit?ref=seller_info They have stripped down (just the colors!) transportation maps, and I've thought of using them to decorate, too!
I use it and I LOVE IT! Like you, I love to figure out the public transport in a new city and go exploring. So fun! It is great for people watching and I must say there are always a lot of good looking people on the train :) Eye candy before work? Yes please!
ReplyDeleteI use public transport exclusively in Melbourne. I don't even own a car. A lot of people complain about the Melbourne Public Transport system and it can be late or delayed or slow, but the truth is, I've been able to get nearly every place I've needed too!
ReplyDeleteI love public transport too!
When I'm in major cities I use them too. I'd have to say the easiest I've ever used was London's. It was literally the hardest thing to do to get lost. A child could navigate their way in that city! We had a few issues with Paris but I think it's because we were always slap happy by the time we got on it.
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