
I GET AROUND
(The Mass Transit Edition)
Rapid transit rail allows me to soulfully experience rich culture across the United States with ease and affordability. I’ve ridden each of the country’s 10 largest systems.
– STORY AND PHOTOS BY JESEF WILLIAMS –
As an avid adventurer, I often set fun traveling goals that make my excursions even more exciting. Some of these quests are major, like visiting every U.S. state. (I’ve been to 49 of the 50 states.) Others are lower-profile, such as riding each of the country’s 10 largest rapid transit systems.
I gravitate toward large cities, which offer plenty of culture, rich history, delectable cuisine and captivating entertainment. For me, the mass transit infrastructure of these cities is fascinating, as well.
A few years ago, after realizing I had already ridden several of the major systems around the country, I made it an explicit aim to experience each of the largest 10. Here’s the list, which only includes heavy-rail systems and is ranked based on annual ridership volume, according to the American Public Transportation Association:
- New York City Subway – NYC
- Washington Metro – DC / the “DMV”
- CTA “L” – Chicagoland
- MBTA (the “T”) – Boston
- PATH – NYC and Newark, NJ
- BART – San Francisco Bay Area
- SEPTA – Philadelphia
- MARTA – Atlanta
- Metro Rail – Los Angeles
- Miami-Dade Metrorail – Miami
MANUEVERING IN THE 305
Coming into 2024, I had already checked off the top nine, with the Miami-Dade Metrorail being the lone system remaining. After deciding to take a last-minute flight to South Florida in March, I made sure to organize the trip in a way that would allow me to leverage that particular transit system.
Miami is similar to ATL, DC, The illadelph and Chi City in that its rail system has a station at the airport – a dynamic that creates great convenience. I was in Miami for an event downtown but decided to stay at the Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel, an attractive joint that is literally across the street from the train station. The amenities are nice and the price was favorable compared to hotels downtown.

Gorgeous palm trees and sunshine accentuate life in South Florida. I used Miami-Dade County’s Metrorail transit system to get from the airport area to downtown Miami, where the shot above was taken.
Following are Metrorail-related images, along with information about the system, which has been operating since 1984.



SAVE MONEY, REDUCE STRESS
Speaking of cost, mass transit travel is incredibly affordable. On the Miami-Dade Metrorail, you can get a one-way to anywhere on its network for $2.25. An unlimited one-day pass is just $5.65. Granted, Miami’s rail network isn’t extensive (especially compared to that of other cities). However, with stations at the airport, downtown and other key spots within and just outside the city limits, the train is a viable option.
A city’s mass transit infrastructure usually determines if I rent a vehicle or use Uber during my trip. When visiting New York City, for instance, exclusively riding the subway is a no-brainer for me. For $2.90, you can easily get anywhere in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.
On the contrary, consider how quickly those taxi and Uber fees add up. And are you thinking about renting a whip to maneuver through the Big Apple? My thoughts about that, in a heavy NYC accent: “Forget about it!” Who wants to deal with pricey tolls and stressful traffic congestion?

“A city’s mass transit infrastructure usually determines if I rent a vehicle or use Uber during my trip.”
Jesef Williams
AVID ADVENTURER

I took the above photo of Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens from atop New York City’s One World Trade Center. I was wayyyy up. The irony is that I went underground to get there!
Here are views of mine from the legendary New York City Subway.


The New York City Subway is by far the largest rapid transit system in the country in terms of annual ridership volume. It also has the most stations (472) among all transit systems worldwide.

And speaking of trips: For the dice rollers, “rolling a trip” is the only thing that beats 4-5-6 in a game of Cee-lo.


“Forever!? Forever ever!?”
“ForEVER ever!”


I captured this candid video while waiting on a train in Midtown Manhattan. The sights and sounds (and even the smells!) are so New York. I love it!
“NYC everything!”
CULTURAL CONNECTIVITY
On top of affordability and practicality, there’s something sensationally cultural to me when it comes to mass transit. I feel a greater connection to the city and am more authentically able to absorb the sights, sounds and vibes that give a particular metro area its uniqueness. I feel truly enmeshed in the city.
During a six-country European excursion in 2022, my travel partner and I rode the train a good bit. In Europe, that’s what people do. They are ON rail travel. Have you seen those comparison maps that show the prominence of heavy-rail networks in Europe compared to the United States? The difference is stunning.
However, there are efforts to make rail travel sexier and more viable again in the U.S. An example is Brightline, a private rail company that has launched a rapid-travel route in Florida from Orlando to Miami. The company is working on a route out West that will link Las Vegas to Southern California. Exciting stuff!

The Diamond District (better known as Washington, DC) is home to our country’s federal government. While monotonous political gridlock occurs above ground, there’s always much happening beneath along the Metro transit system.
Here are Metro photos of mine.

The Metro is the second-busiest rapid transit system in the United States.



That’s cute.

On a related (and important) note: Allow me to take a moment to shout out Largo and the rest of PG, aka Prince George’s County, Maryland.
PG is one of a number of legendary counties across the U.S. that are truly cultural brands. Like folks in Duval County in Florida, people from Prince George’s County are HIGHLY likely to say they’re from PG long before ever mentioning what specific city or town in the county they’re from. It’s a thing.
Much love goes to the DMV!

Chicago is the epicenter of Midwest soul and culture. You can ride trains along the L transit system to experience deep dish pizza, blues music and much more that gives our country’s third-largest city its personality.
“And you say Chi City!”

The L stands for elevated.


“On top of affordability and practicality, there’s something sensationally cultural to me when it comes to mass transit.”
Jesef Williams
MASS TRANSIT CHAMPION

Boston is the largest city in Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and economic hub of the entire New England region.
If you ride its MBTA rapid transit system, there’s no need to drive and “pahk the cah.”



On a side note: I love the accents up there in New England. I have hilarious accent tales and impressions on deck to share.
YOUR TRANSIT TAKES?
What are your thoughts on mass transit? Have you used it when traveling and getting around major metro areas? Do you have reservations or concerns about mass transit?
As you consider those questions, I’ll share some specific tips involving rail travel that can help you save money and create ease when getting around.

GOOGLE MAPS IS YOUR FRIEND
When navigating any transit system, use Google Maps on your smartphone. Google’s navigation system is stellar and easy to use and performs faster and more accurately than lesser-known apps created specifically for particular transit systems.
There’s no need to download those local joints. Rock with Google Maps exclusively.

WINNING IN THE A
Traffic in Atlanta is notoriously challenging, especially downtown during major events. If traveling to the 404, strongly consider staying at a hotel near the airport or College Park and taking the MARTA downtown. As referenced earlier in my story, MARTA has a train station along its Red and Gold lines right at the airport and another station immediately to the north in College Park.
A one-way ticket is just $2.50. An unlimited one-day pass is $9 and an unlimited two-day pass is $14. That easily beats dealing with nasty ATL traffic and paying for expensive parking.


Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority is the eighth-busiest rapid transit system in the United States.

I find it fascinating how deep into the ground subway stations go. Think about all the engineering and construction considerations that are involved.

“And take you from the start to when luxury transportation meant a MARTA card!”
– André 3000 of Outkast

BIG DECISIONS IN THE BIG APPLE
You have three airport options when flying to the New York City area: John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
If you’re trying to explore NYC, I highly recommend flying into LGA (LaGuardia), even if flights to JFK or EWR (Newark) cost slightly less. That’s because it’s easy, quick and cheap to access the city from LGA via the subway.
LGA offers free, 15-minute shuttle bus rides to and from the nearby Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue subway station in Queens. Shuttles run about every 8 minutes and operate 24/7. From the Jackson Heights station, subway connections are available via multiple train lines. That’s my trusted go-to move when traveling to NYC. It’s easy, culturally dope and costs just $2.90.

By the way, this is the aforementioned MetroCard of mine I’m keeping “forever ever.”

Reaching the city from EWR or JFK is more complicated, expensive and time-consuming. Generally speaking, I recommend only dealing with JFK if you’re going there to take an international flight.
Getting to and from JFK is a JOB, no matter what method of travel you choose. That airport is like a big separate city, complete with its own transit system. The NYC Subway doesn’t run directly to the airport; you have to mess with JFK’s AirTrain jawn, which costs an egregious $8.50 for a one-way ticket. “Man, why they wanna stick me for my paper!?”
Instead, mess with LGA, and tell ‘em I sent you!
Following are more photos to wrap up my rapid transit experiences along the rest of the systems on the top-10 list.
PATH
(New York City, NY and Newark, NJ)


Port Authority Trans-Hudson’s system spans just 13 miles but is the country’s fifth-busiest rapid transit system.

You can use your NYC Subway card to pay for a PATH ride.

BART
(San Francisco, CA)

Bay Area Rapid Transit is the sixth-busiest rapid transit system in the United States.
(By the way, I’m LONG overdue for a return trip to the Bay Area.)
SEPTA
(Philadelphia, PA)


Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has the seventh-busiest rapid transit system in the United States.

It’s a #215jawn.
METRO RAIL
(Los Angeles, CA)


(Fun fact: I got down with some legendary In-N-Out Burger shortly afterward.)

Nonetheless, Metro Rail is our country’s ninth-busiest rapid transit system. My hope is that it can eventually climb higher on the list.
Why?
Because I like Southern California. They say the smog out there is actually fog. I’m skeptical, yet I want to believe them.
Why?
Because I REALLY like Southern California.
Jesef Williams is founder and owner of Spectacular Vernacular LLC. The Florida-based company provides personalized communications, marketing and storytelling services that help individuals and organizations:
- Effectively convey sentiments
- Properly emphasize points
- Soulfully capture special moments, events and occurrences
- Successfully reach target audiences
Visit SVwords.com to read about Spectacular Vernacular’s offerings and learn more about Jesef.
Enjoyed your train odyssey, Jesef. As that old Beach Boys song says, “You’ve been around!” (And then some).
Dr. Timbs, I’m glad you enjoyed! Thanks for checking it out. And yes, those Beach Boys guitar riffs certainly played in my head a few times as I put this together. On to the next odyssey…