Mumbai makes it to list of cities across the world with best public transport

“Have you even been to Mumbai if you haven’t spent some quality time on the city’s local trains? It’s an experience and a half, although probably one best avoided at rush hour unless you are a veteran of such scenes. Still, 81 per cent of locals say it’s easy to cross Mumbai by public transport, and the system certainly keeps the metropolis moving, with millions using the city’s buses, rickshaws, metro and taxis on a daily basis. The city has also introduced the Chalo Pay app – a pioneer for Indian public transport – making the whole thing just that little bit easier. Download the M-indicator app to stay on top of schedules, and let Mumbai unfold in front of you,” says the entry for Mumbai on the list.

Apart from Mumbai, six other Asian cities have made it to the list: Tokyo (no: 3), Singapore (no: 6), Hong Kong (no: 7), Taipei (no: 8), Shanghai (no: 9), and Beijing (no: 18).

European cities in the list included Berlin (no: 1), Prague (no: 2), Copenhagen (no: 4), Stockholm (no: 5), Amsterdam (no: 10), London (no: 11), Madrid (no: 12), Edinburgh (no: 13) and Paris (no: 14). New York (no: 15), Montreal (no: 16), and Chicago (no: 17) were the North American entries on the list.

To compile the list, Time Out surveyed more than 20,000 locals in more than 50 cities around the world, asking them if it was easy to get around by public transport. In the 19 featured cities, at least four out of five people praised their local commuting systems.

The list highlights the crucial role public transport systems play in urban landscapes: apart from offering affordable travel options, they also help in easing cities’ ever-increasing traffic problems as well as reduce carbon footprints. In some cases, their aesthetic aspects make them a must-experience for tourists.