AMD3: my time in Berlin and a comparison of public transit

For my third AMD, and because we are learning the vocab related to public transit, I thought I would reflect on the U-bahn and the S-bahn, and compare them to the New York City subway.

The U-bahn opened in 1907. The U-bahn is the (mostly) underground public transit rail in Berlin, and the S-bahn is the above ground public rail transit in Berlin. The fare for the U-bahn is determined by zone, and is usually more expensive thanteh subway. During State-Socialism, East Berlin (and the train stops in it) were considered closed to the free West Berlin. My dad told me that when he was in Berlin during the Cold War, he rode the U-bahn with his family and that on certain lines, there were stations that were abandoned (but he could see the platforms). My dad said people were able to ride the U-bahn from Soviet-controlled East Berlin, through West Berlin, but that the train wouldn't stop. Conversely, when I was in Berlin last year, I was able to see abandoned stations from State Socialism.

A photo of the station sign at Kochstraße (Checkpoint Charlie), which was the station that divide Free Berlin and Soviet-controlled Berlin

The New York City subway is slightly older, opening in 1904. The NYC subways are both above ground and below ground. One trip on the subway $2.25, and the fare is a flat fare for all stations. Hypothetically, you could go over 35 miles in distance (Bronx to Queens) for one price. The subways are the cheapest and most efficient way to get around NYC. Like Berlin, NYC has abandoned subway stations.  If you take the 6 train, you can see the abandoned City Hall station.

Below is a link with more info about the City Hall subway stop (disclaimer: it is technically illegal to stay on the subway train while it circles the end of the line)

http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/abandoned/cityirt.html


From my experience, the U-bahn was clean, efficient and quiet. From the experience I have at home, the subway is loud, eventful, smelly, and not always that efficient. I have seen my fair share of rats on the tracks in NY, but the semi-gross atmosphere of the subway gives it character. Additionally, if you think the subway is bad in NY, you should see the commuter rail on Long Island.

More Berlin pics