Best cities with non-subway public transit (construction, bus, airport)

[jjthejetplane]

Just as the thread says, what cities without subways do you think have the best public transit!

I heard seattle has a decent bus system and is developing a street car system.

On top if that, do you think cities in the USA without subways are more efficient then those that do?

[gwillyfromphilly]

Are you excluding cities with light rail subway systems like Seattle and Pittsburgh?

[sav858]

Honolulu although they're building a rail system currently it's still bus only.

[cab591]

While Los Angeles has subway, their bus system is pretty good in its own right. Only reason it takes a while to get around is because everything is spread out. Asides from that, at peak hours I never had to wait long for a bus, and the card-fare system they use is incredibly easy / convenient.

[lrfox]

San Francisco only has one heavy rail subway line within the city limits with 8 stops (BART). Muni Metro has a central subway tunnel, but it's a light rail network (perhaps most comparable to Boston's Green Line). San Francisco actually has great bus coverage, and some pretty neat options in addition (F-Line, Cable Cars, Ferries, etc.).

[Champ le monstre du lac]

For light rail/commuter rail, I think these four have the most extensive service (or near future service/extensions).

Denver
Portland
Salt Lake City
Dallas

I like Denver's new multi-modal transit hub at Union Station and all the new development and construction around it. Four new lines are opening next year including the new commuter rail line out to the airport and other lines to the Northern/NW suburbs and a new light rail line along I-225 through Aurora.

[Chimérique]

Sacramento has 3 light rail major lines, and a starter 4th line.
And numerous and frequent commuter heavy rail line to the Bay Area.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by Chimérique

Sacramento has 3 light rail major lines, and a starter 4th line.
And numerous and frequent commuter heavy rail line to the Bay Area.

The Capital Corridor is not heavy rail nor is it frequent.

[jjthejetplane]

Originally Posted by gwillyfromphilly

Are you excluding cities with light rail subway systems like Seattle and Pittsburgh?

Let's try to include cities with light rail. The main emphasis is on cities without an extensive underground linked transit system that can provide concentrated coverage within the metro. Cities like New York, Boston and DC would be out of the equation.

[sav858]

I'd probably say Portland and Seattle if we're including cities with light rail.