Originally Posted by
moondog
I didn't consider
Polytonic's point about the single track issue when I extolled the Washington Metro in my OP, but this definitely comprises a chink in the armor.
Moving on, following is a comparison between the DC Red Line and Shanghai Line 2:
-3 minute intervals (Shanghai) are preferable to 15 minute intervals (DC during non peak times)
-forward facing seats (DC) are luxurious; this will never happen in China
-Metro Center is leaps and bounds better than People's Square or Nanjing West Road for transfers; the latter actually requires people to walk as much as 1000 meters above ground!
-Shanghai Line 2 has stations at both PVG and SHA; this is a pretty big carrot for HBO people who don't mind being VERY close to strangers
Red line train intervals actually get worse than 15 minutes (closer to every half hour on weekends, depending on whether you are going to a terminus station).
Forward facing seats are great if you're a tourist. Not so great for commuters. I think the new cars being used on the silver line are much better, with the seating parallel to the train car (more standing/suitcase capacity).
I actually don't know anyone that transfers through Metro Center -- if you're going Red <-> Orange/Blue coming from NW, most people I know end up taking the hike between Farragut North/Farragut West. So you end up walking a couple blocks above ground in that case as well.
Anyway, I digress. I did not mean to derail this thread discussing the numerous faults I have with WMATA.
