jonnii.com

I think the subway is better than the tube, which might be a controversial stance for a londoner, but hear me out.

The subway is airconditioned, which when summer finally comes will be a big deal. The tube wasn’t designed for heat, what with people passing out in 40c+ temperatures and the rest of us arriving to work dripping in sweat. While handing out water stops people from dying, it doesn’t detract from the fact that those of who are still left standing have to arrive to work dripping in sweat and smelling like a refugee boat. And when you do finally get into work, which is airconditioned, you promptly freeze to death.

The carriages are also roughly double the size, so during rush hour you don’t feel so cramped. I routinely had to wait for a second or third train in the morning and in the evening coming home from work in London. People squeeze in, sweat in your face, and then look at you with disdain because you’re in their personal space. Here the rush hour is still a squeeze, but it doesn’t feel half as bad as it is in London.

Obviously the subway is far from perfect. There no indication of when the next train is coming, unless you can see its lights coming from down the tunnel, so you don’t know how long you’re going to be waiting. Most lines also have express trains, which is great if you know how the subway system works, but if you’re a tourist then it’s very easy to get confused.

I also wish they would make it more obvious which station you are at when you are sitting in a train, because i’ve often not been able to tell just by looking outside the carriage. Luckily I mainly take the 6 train, which seems more clearly labeled than the others.