Why Tokyo's Metro Is Profitable and New York City’s Isn’t | WSJ U.S. vs. Japan

The Nugget

Japan's train system is the most efficient in the world due to interconnected public transit connections, central government funding, and a focus on continuous investment.

Key quotes

"What's really distinctive about Tokyo and actually Japanese cities more generally is they all interconnect."
"After the second world war, there was a continuous investment in the public transit system... There's never been a let up in continued investment in adding lines and making them work better."
"Right now, about 40% of the MTA's funding comes from the fare box, from what the riders pay to ride."
"It would take years, if not decades, of very significant investment in the New York subway system for it to match the levels of efficiency as the Tokyo subway system..."
"We have right now the best on-time performance of our subway system in over 10 years. It may not be up to Asia's standards, but for New York, it's really a great step in the right direction."

Tokyo's railway system is the most efficient due to better public transit connections and lower congestion compared to New York.
Tokyo's system allows for direct connections between commuter rails and subway tracks, reducing the need for unnecessary transfers and congestion.
In Tokyo, commuters can use one card for most public transportation systems, providing a seamless travel experience.
New York's subway system lacks full integration, leading to the need for multiple tickets and different payment systems.

Japan heavily invests in public transportation, with the government owning a significant portion of Tokyo Metro.
The MTA in New York is not owned by private companies and receives funding from various sources, including taxes, the government, and bonds.
Tokyo Metro has been profitable, while the MTA historically operates at a loss, with forecasted outstanding debt.
A key reason for the efficiency difference is the continuous investment in the Tokyo subway system post-World War II.

Tokyo has a distance-based fare system, providing fairness to travelers, while New York's main subway fares are flat.
The majority of the New York and Tokyo Subway's funding comes directly from riders.
In Japan, companies can charge more for public transportation, whereas New York is facing funding challenges due to decreased ridership.

Japan's public transportation is known for being punctual, with rare instances of delays.
Tokyo faced delays in the past, but New York City experiences more common delays due to the age and maintenance needs of the system.
The MTA in New York has made improvements in on-time performance, although it still lags behind Asian standards.

🚇 Tokyo's interconnected public transit reduces congestion and unnecessary transfers.
🏦 Japan's central government funding contributes to the efficiency of its rail system.
🎫 The New York subway's lack of integration leads to multiple payment systems and funding challenges.
🕰️ Punctuality is a key trait of Japan's public transportation, contrasting with the more common delays in New York.

This summary contains AI-generated information and may have important inaccuracies or omissions.