10 Best Cities for Public Transportation

Public transportation is essential to everyday life. It helps people get from point A to point B in a convenient, economical and environmentally friendly way. Most big cities have adopted a public transit system that caters to their residents and commuters and offers a cost-effective alternative to driving an automobile. Out of all the large and sophisticated public transportation systems in the country, these are the 10 best.

1. New York City

   It's no surprise that the most populated city in the U.S. also has one of the largest and busiest public transportation systems in the country. An estimated 54.7% of New Yorkers use the area's public transportation to get to work. New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates the city's subways, buses and two of the three commuter rail networks. Since New York is the city that never sleeps, it's no surprise that their bus and subway service runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The sophisticated and highly efficient MTA system sets New York City apart from other metropolises and gives it a top spot on this list.

2. Denver

   Denver may not strike you as a leader of public transportation, but the "Mile-High City" actually has one of the best public transit systems in the country. The city's mass transportation is managed by the Regional Transportation District (RTD), which currently operates more than 1,000 buses and five light rails that serve all or parts of the eight counties throughout the Denver-Aurora-Boulder area. Denver is also in the process of expanding the FasTracks light rail/bus/commuter rail by adding 122 miles of new commuter rail, as well as increasing the mileage of bus rapid transit and adding new parking spaces to give residents more public transportation options.

3. Los Angeles

   Los Angeles is known for its notoriously bad traffic and car-loving residents, but the "City of Angels" also has an impressive public transit system that deserves some praise. Every weekday, more than 1.4 million people hop on LA's subway, light rail or buses, putting Los Angeles at one of the highest ridership ranks in the nation. With the addition of the Metro Rapid bus line, L.A. commuters can minimize their travel times and reduce their carbon footprint with the environmentally friendly design and time-saving commutes.

4. Boston

   Boston may be known as "America's Walking City," but its comprehensive and varied public transportation system also makes Boston a very commuter-friendly city. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates the subway, short distance rail and water ferry passenger services. The "T" subway has a daily ridership of 549,000 trips and is the fourth busiest in the country. Boston's public transportation provides a variety of travel options for commuters who want to easily get in and out of the city.

5. Seattle

   Seattle has a well-developed and comprehensive public transit system that includes a variety of travel options. Commuters can choose from bus, rail, train and ferry. Seattle's public transportation stands out from other cities because of its Seattle Center Monorail that is the only one of its kind in the U.S. This sophisticated commercial monorail system carries commuters between downtown and Seattle Center in a short two-minute ride. In order to alleviate high traffic congestion that Seattle has become known for, residents have started moving away from the automobile and started adopting mass transit as a whole.

6. Portland

   Portland may not be one of the biggest cities in the U.S., but it does have a comprehensive and sophisticated public transportation system. Portland offers a wide array of public transportation options, including the MAX Light Rail, Tri-Met buses, Portland Streetcar and the impressive Portland Aerial Tram, which carries commuters 500 feet above ground for a 3,300-foot-long trip in between the South Waterfront terminal and the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) campus. Portland's renowned transit system breaks the boundaries of traditional public transportation with its unique services and commuter-friendly features, such as the Free Rail Zone, an area of downtown Portland that permits free light rail and streetcar rides any time or day of the week.

7. Washington, D.C.

   Washington, D.C. may have the worst traffic congestion in the U.S., but it also has one of the best and busiest public transportation systems in the country. Approximately 37% of Washington-area commuters take public transportation to work. The Metro is a popular option among commuters, thanks to its reputation as one of the cleanest and most efficient subways systems in the world. The Metro has a large daily ridership, which consists of 910,100 trips per day. Metrobuses, the DC Circulator and Capital Bikeshare are other popular and convenient forms of public transportation in and around the nation's capital.

8. San Jose

   San Jose has stepped up its public transportation and it shows. San Jose commuters have the option of using Amtrak, Caltrain, ACE or a local light-rail system that's operated by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to get in and out of the city. San Jose's public transit gets high marks for its safety, as well as its close proximity to commuters' homes and businesses. San Jose is a major city in the Bay Area and a hotbed for business, so in order to cater to those who live in neighboring cities, the city has made plans to expand the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to Santa Clara through Milpitas and San Jose. San Jose will also be a stop on the future California High Speed Rail.

9. Honolulu

   Honolulu may not have an urban rail system, but the state capital has planned to expand its transit options, such as building a 20-mile elevated rail system that will connect Honolulu with western Oahu. The automated rail corridor will attract about 100,000 daily riders, and is expected to be completed by 2019. Honolulu's TheBus system is a renowned public busing service that has been honored twice by the American Public Transportation Association as "America's Best Transit System." The extensions to Honolulu's rail system, combined with the creation of a public transit authority to oversee the phases of the project will help Honolulu's public transit reach its full potential.

10. Salt Lake City

    Salt Lake City has made its way on the list of best cities for public transportation because of its renowned mass transit services. The Utah Transit Authority includes a light rail, commuter rail line and bus system, which serve an estimated 1.7 million people in Salt Lake City and the larger area. In preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City built a light rail system, called TRAX, which is now the tenth most-ridden light rail system in the country. The city also has a comprehensive bus system that offers transportation to nearby ski areas during winter. Salt Lake City is continuously expanding its transportation services and creating new and innovative ways to cater to its passengers' needs.