Interesting Transit Trips
 

Often times when visiting other cities (and as home as well), we make extensive use of public transit. It's a great way to see the city, get a sense of the way people live and it's cheaper than renting a car. I have a few personal favorite transit trips that I enjoy in other cities and I'd love to hear some fun/interesting trips you've taken. Here are some of mine:<BR><BR>San Francisco: Riding the F-Market streetcar. The fleet is filled with restored vintage 40s Art Deco-era cars, each painted in a different color. They are comfortable, beautiful and well taken care of. There are cars from around the world that run on the line as well (Milan, Melbourne, New Orleans, San Francisco, etc). I love travelling along Market Street after dark, it feels like you've been transported back in time. The ride along the Embarcadero with the bay and the Bay Bridge as a backdrop is fantastic.<BR><BR>Montreal: The Metro runs completely underground, but is hardly boring. The trains run on rubber wheels, giving them a "bouncy" ride, and the cars accelerate very quickly. Plus, the modern concrete architecture of many of the stations is stunning and unrivaled in North America. <BR><BR>Toronto: The extensive network of intact street-running streetcars is fantastic, connecting many well-kept inner city neighborhoods to downtown. The 506 Carlton line is especially nice, connecting many ethnic retail areas, including "Little India", the east Chinatown, "Little Italy", the Portuguese Village. It also runs past cultural landmarks such as Maple Leaf Gardens, the University of Toronto, the Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park and into the beautiful High Park.<BR><BR>Boston: The Green Line C branch, which runs through the oldest subway in the world, twisting and screaching from Government Center, through Park Street to Boylston. After leaving Kenmore, it rises into the median of Beacon Street in Brookline, which is a fabulous thoroughfare. Beacon Street is lined with early century apartment blocks, and the median is a trolleys only strip between rows of mature trees. Truly a delight. <BR><BR>Chicago: The Brown line El (Ravenswood line) begins its run on the world famous through downtown Chicago's skyscraper canyons. You can look into the offices of workers and admire the buildings of America's most architecurally significant downtown. The line then winds north through up-and-coming and trendy neighborhoods, passing within mere inches of dozens of classic Chicago three-flats. The line swings west through tree-lined alleys before descending to round level through the backyards of well-kept homes. Always something to see on this run. <BR><BR>So, now it's your turn ;-)

In Boston, we get a kick out of the trolley line that connects Ashmont station to Mattapan Square. It's free, the cars are relics at least 60 years old, and it goes along the Neponset River through the woods, stopping along the way at little residential side streets and backyards in Milton. A relic of the trolley lines of the past, which ran all over the place.

There's nothing like the drama of a great urban ferry ride - the Staten Island ferry, Sausalito or Tiburon ferries in San Francisco, or any of the Elliott Bay ferries in Seattle come to mind. Levis ferry across the river to Quebec City - is that still operating? Transit trips that beg for a soundtrack...

Hi James,<BR>I'm so glad you liked the F-line streetcars in San Francisco. I love them for the nostalgia (pre-Bart, pre-underground Muni, that's how I got to school!) and for the fact that they take some of the pressure off the cable car lines.<BR><BR>I agree entirely with John about ferry travel being the most memorable. In my travels, I would rate the trip across Kinko Bay in Kagoshima, Japan as my top ferry ride. Heading right towards an active, smokin' volcano in the purple/red light of evening, wow! Next would be Lisbon, for the view of the city as you ride across the harbour. The sense of history and romance is incredible, and if it weren't for the parking lot in the huge Baroque square down by the water, you could be back in the 17th century.....

GREAT subject- I have been on SF trolleys a lot as I too went to school there... Seatle ferries are also great especially the one from Antacortes through the San Juans to Victoria<BR> The Canadian ferries are a bit more modern and also go through some beautiful islands on the way to Vancouver Island. <BR>Of course the New Orleans streetcars are really historical and go through a beautiful area with grand homes.<BR>I know this may not qualify as "great' however, Portland (OR) and Seattle have free bus service in "downtown " areas..<BR>Anymore contributions???<BR>

Any of the ferries in Sydney Australia. Fantastic!

San Francisco:<BR>Bus 76 on Sunday or Golden Gate transit to Sausalito or Tiburon<BR><BR>Bus... is it 64? Golden Gate transit from Marin City to Stinson Beach<BR><BR>Bus 18 - too short trip along Pacific Ocean<BR><BR>BART - Pittsburgh line - from Orinda to Concord - beautiful!

Hello All:<BR><BR>lizbeth: I'm currently living in Berkeley CA and previously lived very close to the F-Line in San Francisco so I know it quite well, and I'm a bit biased towards it. Having commuted on it, the fact that tourists are taking it more now does make it a little more aggravating for local transport... but whining and complaining are a requirement for living in SF/Bay Area. Hehe. <BR><BR>Jen: I have taken the Mattapan-Ashmont trolley and I agree, it's fantastic. Of course, I never realized that most Bostonians consider the areas it travels through to be "undesirable". I loved it. And I hear they have begun to restore the cars, so they are completely refurbished. <BR><BR>To all of you who have mentioned ferries, I completely agree. One that is often overlooked here in the Bay Area is the Oakland/Alameda ferry. It runs from Jack London Square in Oakland, through the working port, very close to massive container ships. In then heads toward and under the beautiful Bay Bridge. The views approaching the Ferry Building are fantastic. You can keep going around to Pier 41 (passing Telegraph Hill and Alcatraz) if you wish as well. <BR><BR>Lynn: Portland is one of my favorite transit cities. They are truly trying to make transit efficient, safe and effective in a modern city. I love riding either MAX or the Portland Streetcar through downtown (free, YAY). The underground MAX station at Washington Park is very cool too. <BR><BR>I'll add a few more of my favorites. In New York, nothing beats a run on the Lexington Express from Grand Central to Union Square or Brooklyn Bridge (avoid at rush hour!!). I love the speed you attain and flying through the middle of the station without stopping. <BR><BR>Also in New York, the buses are an underrated mode of transportation. You can get unlimited rides all day (including subway) for $4. They aren't fast, but you get a great tour of the city for super cheap. A ride from the Upper West Side, through Columbus Circle and Times Square is very enjoyable, especially at night with much less traffic and everything all lit up. <BR><BR>Also, here in San Francisco, the #1-California bus is quite a trip, from Embarcadero, through the financial district, up through Chinatown, climbing Nob Hill and then down towards Van Ness, all on narrow streets lined with Victorian apartmet buildings (after the financial district anyway). You can keep going past Lafayette Park and through tony Pacific Heights. The best part is the first climb up Nob Hill. The line also runs VERY frequently and is quite popular, especially with financial district workers and Chinese residents of the Richmond District shopping in Chinatown.

John, the Quebec City-Levis ferry is still operating. As yet another urban ferry fan, I took it this June.

James, as far as I know there has been no action to restore the trolleys used on the Mattapan/Ashmont line. Within the past week, I have ridden one that buzzed unbearably for half the trip (I believe it was a warning, since one of the doors wouldn't shut properly), and my daughter was on one that broke down and belched smoke. Restoration is definitely needed!

Coming from Toronto, I can give you guys some more info on the streetcars that run through the city.<BR>501 QUEEN, the longest line in the city, runs from the western beaches through downtwon to the eastern beaches. The beach neighbourhoods all have that small town feel to them. Along the way also is High Park, Queen West with trendy shopping, the Fashion and Entertainment Districts, City Hall, the Eaton Centre, and Riverdale.<BR>504 KING, runs past the Polish community, then through Parkdale with their historic homes, the south end of the Fashion Dist., past the Stock Market downtown, along the Canadian Walk of Fame, and up through Riverdale passing through east Chinatown.<BR>505 DUNDAS, also runs through Little Poland, Little Portugal, Kensington Market and Chinatown, Ryerson University and historic Cabbagetown, and past east Chinatown.<BR>506 CARLTON has already been mentioned, but it's the second-longest line, very interesting indeed. Travel the whole world one one trip!<BR>509 HARBOURFRONT, Starts underground at Union Station, passing under the Air Canada Centre and the Ferry Docks out to the Islands (another urban ferry), along the Harbourfront (Urban National Park), past Fort York and into the Exhibition grounds.<BR>510 SPADINA, Also starts at Union, and ends underground at Spadina. What's in between is the good part. Along with Harbourfront, you pass Skydome and the CN Tower, the Fashion District, run right through Chinatown, with Kensington Market spilling through, then through U of T's grounds.<BR>511 BATHURST, while not as illustrious as the other lines, you do get to see a mix of communities along the way, Portuguese, Ukranian, Chinese, Irish, the edge of the Fashion District, Fort York and the Exhibition.<BR>512 ST. CLAIR, the most northerly line, it runs past the affluent neighbourhood of Forest Hill, north of Casa Loma, into a small Caribbean community, then into Corso Italia(think Little Milan). Ending at a growing community at Keele.<BR><BR>The subways through Toronto, while artistically are not that great with some exceptions (Dupont, North York Centre, Downsview, Bloor, Queen, College, the new Sheppard Line will come with art!) when they do come out of the ground, the views can be amazing. Most notably between Castle Frank and Broadview, as the subway passes over the Don Valley. Any time the line crosses a river, the views are just great, especially in the fall and winter.

Some transit trips ive enjoyed...<BR>The trip across the Ben Frankllin bridge on the new jersey commuter train in Philly. Sit on the side of the river and it looks like there is nothing holding you back from falling off the tracks..view is nice too.<BR> There is a commuter train run by Metrolink in LA that runs to Riverside. The trip is actually quite beautiful in the winter when the valleys are green and snow capped mountains are seen in the distance. Riverside has the incredible Mission Inn to make it worth your while. <BR>

I'll include a few more later, but here are two that come instantly to mind:<BR><BR>PITTSBURGH: The Monongahela Incline. I love that this funicular is still used by residents in Mount Washington neighborhood as a means of public transit to go from the higher elevation neighborhoods to lower and vice-versa. What really makes this ride is the great views of the city, with the confluence of the 3 rivers, the skyline and the view of the park in the Golden Triangle.<BR><BR>MONTREAL: The #51 bus; taking this line from Laurier Metro to Snwodon passes one through bustling Mile End with its large Hasidic Jewish population, the gorgeous old homes of Outremont and the stately l'Oratoire St. Joseph. <BR><BR> <BR>

Hi Jen:<BR><BR>From what I understand, the rebuild of the cars on the Mattapan line is going to take some time. It's not high on the list of projects for the MBTA, so only one or two cars are being rebuilt at a time. Here is a great website related to the line:<BR><BR>http://www.nycsubway.org/us/boston/mattapan/<BR><BR>There are some pics at the bottom. The orange cars are the rebuilt ones. Here are some more links regarding the Mattapan-Ashmont line and the car rebuilding:<BR><BR>http://www.geocities.com/bostontrolley2/ma.html<BR><BR>and <BR><BR>http://www.geocities.com/bostontrolley2/ma2.html<BR><BR>and finally:<BR><BR>http://members.aol.com/netransit2/newsphotos/news1.html<BR><BR>I'm sorry you didn't get to ride on one of the new ones. When I was there, it was one of the old rickety ones for me too. <BR>

I have always liked riding the historic San Jose trolleys in downtown. It is like taking a ride back in time.

James, thanks for the links about the Mattapan line. No need to console me that "I'm sorry you didn't get to ride on one of the new ones" since I live a few blocks away from one of the mid-route scenic stops and ride this line every week or so. I haven't noticed any new-looking ones, so either I've been unlucky, or not paying attention, or perhaps they've gotten grubby really quickly!

San Francisco: Riding the F-Market streetcar. The fleet is filled with restored vintage 40s Art Deco-era cars, each painted in a different color. They are comfortable, beautiful and well taken care of. There are cars from around the world that run on the line as well (Milan, Melbourne, New Orleans, San Francisco, etc). I love travelling along Market Street after dark, it feels like you've been transported back in time. The ride along the Embarcadero with the bay and the Bay Bridge as a backdrop is fantastic.<BR><BR>my friend and I were in SF last month and had a chance to ride the F-Market Street car to the wharf (where we stayed) after we came back from the Haight. It was an enjoyable ride. I also enjoy riding the cable cars.<BR>Question about the cable car lines....how many are there? I thought there were 2: Powell Mason & Powell Hyde Lines.<BR><BR>Other transit I like in SD is the trolley....I especially enjoyed going to Old Town...short trip from downtown.

There are three cable car lines in San Francisco. <BR><BR>Both the Powell-Hyde and the Powell-Mason lines begin at Powell & Market at the cable car turnaround. They head past Union Square and up Nob Hill. They head down towards Chinatown before heading west up the hill again. <BR><BR>The Powell-Mason line branches off north on Mason past the cable car museum and towards North Beach. It turns on Columbus and then on Taylor, ending at Bay. This turnaround has much shorter lines for returning from the Wharf than the other turnaround (explained later). This is the least scenic of the three lines (in my opinion)<BR><BR>The Powell-Hyde line continues west along Jackson through the Nob Hill residential areas. It dips down, turns north at Hyde and heads up Russian Hill. It passes Lombard Street and then goes down a VERY steep hill, ending at North Point. The turnaround at North Point & Hyde is very busy returning from the Wharf. This line is easily the most scenic. <BR><BR>The third line is the least touristed (you almost NEVER have to wait for more than the very next car). The cars are double ended (no turnarounds). One end of the line is at California & Market (a few blocks up from the Ferry Building). It heads west through the financial district, up Nob Hill past Chinatown and crosses the Powell lines. It can get you right to the Mark Hopkins/Fairmont hotel/Grace Cathedral area at the top of Nob Hill. It then heads down the west side of Nob Hill, ending at Van Ness. The best views are actually coming from the top of Nob Hill east bound, looking down into the canyons of the financial district with the Bay Bridge in the background. This is used by some commuters from Nob Hill to downtown. <BR><BR>The best time to ride the busy Powell lines is either early in the morning, or at night. There aren't any lines, there are more locals, and it feels more "real". To/from the Wharf, the F-Market streetcar line is much faster and there aren't any lines.

When it was new, I used to take my toddler son on long trips on the DC metro system. It's less beguiling now, although still a model for any city system imposed on top of a city not built around it (with qualifications, e.g. about where it still doesn't go, like Georgetown). But the Blue line from Rosslyn to King Street allows you to pass through Arlington Cemetary (there used to be a lot of dark jokes about how often, when the doors open and closed at that station, no one got on or off "except the ghosts") and up over the airport, and you get a decent view of some of the air traffic.

Does anybody know WHY the DC Metro doesn't go to Georgetown? Certainly, it was there, and a major residential are, when the system was being planned! <BR><BR>I've heard two theories: One structural, that the soil beneath the townhouses just couldn't be dug out for the tunnels. And another, sociological: No Metro means no access for the riffraff from other parts of town (possibly including tourists?).