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November 26, 2025

Global Mass Transit Power Rankings 2025

A data-driven ranking of the world's top metro systems: Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, NYC, London, and Singapore. Who takes the crown?

By Dodie• 5 mintransiturbanismdatarankings
Abstract visualization of metro lines
AI Generated

The Revised Criteria: We ranked six of the world's most iconic mass transit systems across six dimensions, adjusted for real-world utility: Scale, Ridership (Per Capita), Affordability (PPP), Utility (24/7 & Flow), Safety, and Comfort (The "Sweat Index").

The debate over "best subway" usually devolves into anecdotes about rats in NYC or the heated seats in Seoul. To settle it (or start more arguments), we've compiled the stats and built a Power Ranking model.

Each system is scored from 0-100 in each category. The overall score is the average of these six metrics.

Here is the definitive* ranking for 2025.

A data-driven power ranking of six major global transit systems based on scale, ridership, cost, efficiency, safety, and quality.

#1

🇯🇵Tokyo Metro

Tokyo, Japan

Overall Score93.7

System Profile

ScaleThe King. Dense & sprawling.
Score98
Riders (Per Cap)High usage per capita.
Score92
Affordability (PPP)Fair (PPP adjusted).
Score85
Utility (24/7)Seamless transfers (mostly).
Score98
SafetyElite safety record.
Score99
Comfort (Sweat Index)Clean, complex, efficient.
Score90
#2

🇰🇷Seoul Metro

Seoul, South Korea

Overall Score93.5

System Profile

ScaleMassive coverage.
Score90
Riders (Per Cap) deeply integrated.
Score88
Affordability (PPP)Very affordable (PPP).
Score92
Utility (24/7)Top-tier reliability.
Score95
SafetyVery High.
Score98
Comfort (Sweat Index)Best UX. Heated seats, 5G, AC.
Score98
#3

🇨🇳Shanghai Metro

Shanghai, China

Overall Score90.8

System Profile

Scale#1 in pure length/stations.
Score100
Riders (Per Cap)Massive volume.
Score95
Affordability (PPP)Cheap, even w/ PPP.
Score95
Utility (24/7)Fast, but transfers can be long.
Score85
SafetyHigh (security theater).
Score90
Comfort (Sweat Index)Modern but utilitarian.
Score80
#4

🇸🇬Singapore MRT

Singapore

Overall Score87.7

System Profile

ScaleCompact city-state network.
Score60
Riders (Per Cap)High per-capita usage.
Score85
Affordability (PPP)Affordable.
Score88
Utility (24/7)Pound-for-pound king.
Score98
SafetySafest in the world.
Score100
Comfort (Sweat Index)Spotless. AC is bliss.
Score95
#5

🇬🇧London Tube

London, UK

Overall Score72.5

System Profile

ScaleHistoric, vast coverage.
Score85
Riders (Per Cap)High, but expensive.
Score75
Affordability (PPP)Pricey (PPP penalty).
Score50
Utility (24/7)Good, but aging signals.
Score80
SafetyGood.
Score85
Comfort (Sweat Index)The "Sweat Index" is high (Hot).
Score60
#6

🇺🇸NYC Subway

New York City, USA

Overall Score69.7

System Profile

ScaleMost stations (472).
Score88
Riders (Per Cap)Recovering.
Score65
Affordability (PPP)Flat fare is decent value.
Score70
Utility (24/7)24/7 Service Bonus (Huge Utility).
Score95
Safety"Gritty" is putting it nicely.
Score60
Comfort (Sweat Index)Summer ovens. Rats.
Score40

Methodology Notes (Revised)

  • Scale: Total track length and number of stations.
  • Riders (Per Cap): Normalized ridership. It's not just about total volume, but how essential the system is to the population.
  • Affordability (PPP): Cost adjusted for local purchasing power. Cheap fares in expensive cities score higher.
  • Utility (24/7 & Flow): Does it run all night? (NYC Bonus). Is transferring a nightmare? (Tokyo Penalty).
  • Safety: Crime rates and accident records.
  • Comfort (The "Sweat Index"): Climate control is not optional. If the station is an oven in July, the score drops.

Rankings are subjective despite the "data" label. Your mileage may vary.

D