While nations in Europe and Asia frequently earn accolades for their superior public transportation networks, several cities in the United States are emerging as noteworthy contenders. These American cities are progressively developing train and bus systems that are not only user-friendly but also affordable and safe, catering to the growing needs of their populations. The American Public Transportation Association reported a significant 16 percent surge in public transportation usage between 2022 and 2023, culminating in an impressive 7.1 billion total trips in 2023 alone. This increase underscores the rising importance and utilization of public transit in the U.S.
Walk Score, a Redfin subsidiary renowned for evaluating the walkability and public transit accessibility of locations, conducted an analysis of 130 U.S. cities with populations exceeding 200,000. Their ranking system, based on a 100-point scale, meticulously assesses the robustness of a city’s public transportation. Factors considered include route frequency, stop proximity, and transit modes, with train systems weighted more favorably than bus networks. Although the data originates from 2021, Walk Score’s analysis remains a relevant gauge of the current state of public transportation across major U.S. cities.
Topping the Walk Score list is New York City, securing a transit rating of 88.8 out of 100. The New York City Subway system is a cornerstone of this achievement, celebrated for its affordability, with a standard fare of $2.90 per ride, and extensive reach, encompassing 472 stations throughout the boroughs. Complementing the subway are 238 bus routes, along with two major commuter rail lines: the Long Island Rail Road and the Metro-North Railroad, further expanding the city’s public transit options.
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A New York City Subway 7 train in Queens offers a scenic view of the Manhattan skyline, illustrating the city’s extensive and integrated public transportation network.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reports that on average, over 3.6 million passengers utilize the subway on weekdays, with an additional million riding buses. Gothamist further highlighted the subway’s resurgence, noting over 4 million daily riders on 38 days in 2024, signaling a strong rebound in ridership.
San Francisco claimed the second spot with a transit score of 77.1, a significant 11.5 points behind New York City. Renowned for its iconic cable cars, San Francisco’s public transportation is enhanced by buses and train services managed by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni).
Notably, San Francisco is one of only two West Coast cities featured in the top rankings, with Seattle being the other at No. 9. The Walk Score list predominantly features cities from the East Coast, including Boston, Jersey City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Newark. Chicago stands out as the sole representative from the Midwest in the top ten.
Here is the complete list of the top 10 American cities with the best public transportation according to Walk Score:
- New York (Transit Score: 88.6)
- San Francisco (Transit Score: 77.1)
- Boston (Transit Score: 72.4)
- Jersey City, New Jersey (Transit Score: 70.5)
- Washington, D.C. (Transit Score: 68.7)
- Philadelphia (Transit Score: 67)
- Newark, New Jersey (tie) (Transit Score: 65)
- Chicago (tie) (Transit Score: 65)
- Seattle (Transit Score: 59.6)
- Arlington, Virginia (Transit Score: 58.6)
