Note: Read more about Curitiba’s wise urban planning in Natural Capitalism by Amory Lovins, pages 288-308 (full text available on-line). I promise this blog isn’t an advertisement for Mr. Lovins, I just really like that book.
Beijing’s subway system is, by many measures, a convenient and well-run public transport system. At two yuan (about 30 cents) per ride, it is very affordable by Chinese standards. Its average daily ridership is over 5 million (serving a population of 22 million), and its 100+ stops on nine lines render most places in the downtown area accessible with an additional 15 yuan ($2.00) cab ride. In comparison, New York City’s subway system has an average daily ridership of 5.2 million (serving a population of 8.3 million), 400+ stops and 26 lines.
By the year 2015, Beijing plans to double the number of lines to 18, with a total of 400+ stations (see map above). Daily ridership is estimated to grow to 8 million. All of this sounds like pretty good planning, right? Continue reading