The 10 Best Mass Transportation Systems in United States, United States

September 9, 2021 Chanda Heide

Spanning 2,800 miles (4,506 kilometers) from east to west, the US is a vast patchwork of landscapes and metropolises. From Arizona’s red-rocked canyons and California’s coastal beaches to New York’s big city and Virginia’s storied past, it covers any topic any traveler could want or need.
Restaurants in United States

1. Telluride Mountain Village Gondola

455 Mountain Village Blvd, Telluride, CO 81435-9459 +1 877-358-7122 [email protected] http://www.visittelluride.com/telluride-gondola
Excellent
91%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,916 reviews

Telluride Mountain Village Gondola

One of the most unique forms of public transportation connects Mountain Village to Telluride offering stunning 360-degree views of the San Juan Mountains that extend as far away as Utah. The gondola, the first and only free public transportation of its kind in the United States opened in 1996 and was initially built to help improve air quality while expanding the ski area. It is entirely free to commuters and sightseers. Since then, it has become a popular attraction for residents and visitors alike, giving them a stunning ride that caps out at 10,540 feet above sea level. Approximately 3 million passenger rides annually – and safely – and more than 50 million passenger trips have been provided since opening day. The gondola operates roughly 287 days each year with routine maintenance scheduled during our shoulder season months. It takes about 12 minutes to get from the Town of Telluride to Mountain Village Village. It takes 3 minutes from Mountain Village Center to Market Plaza.

Reviewed By BestTravelsNow - Hereford, United States

Terrific way to get up and own the mountain for various activities. Whether going mid-mountain for coffee or all the way down for Telluride activities. Stayed at the top at Mountain Lodge and this was a terrific mode of transportation during our weeklong stay. Whether going out for drinks, food or hiking.

2. Springfield Union Station

55 Frank B Murray St, Springfield, MA 01103-1004 +1 413-471-3397 [email protected] https://www.springfieldunionstation.com/
Excellent
85%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 13 reviews

Springfield Union Station

The story of the rebirth of Springfield’s Union Station was a 40-year saga that began with a promise to save a landmark that was teetering on the brink of extinction. On December 19, 1926, an estimated 30,000 people toured Opening Day of Union Station. The new facility with its gleaming terrazzo floors, had a restaurant, lunch counter, barbershop, shoeshine parlor and small shops to service hundreds of daily passengers who boarded up to 130 trains every 24 hours. The reconstruction of Union Station lasted four years and one month finishing in 2016. The great hall was gutted to the bare walls and rebuilt. The historic clock that hung at the entrance to the tunnel since the building opened, to a wooden train schedule board and 90-year-old baggage carts the original Terrazzo floors were all preserved. In addition to the train station there is an intermodal transportation center with local and long-distance buses, a new parking garage, office, retail and restaurant space.

Reviewed By NohoSteve51

I visited the Union Station in Springfield MA again recently, for the first time since the COVID-19 crisis began. I wanted to update my thoughts and impressions of the place and see how they were handling things. I'm happy to report that the station continues to be convenient and welcoming for all travelers by train, city bus and long-distance bus lines. They are taking appropriate measures to prevent the spread of disease, including requiring masks and allowing only ticketed passengers into the main concourse. They also are blocking off seats so you will not be too close to the other people. Benches are off-limits for now. Dunkin remains open as well as the convenience store where you can get all kinds of snack items. You can also purchase tickets from either ticket counters or machines located on the property. You can now also buy tickets through apps from Amtrak, CTrail and now even PVTA (local bus service) as well as Peter Pan and Greyhound. I recommend this place to all travelers. Clean and safe and taking proper precautions in this time of pandemic.

3. RTA - Streetcars

Canal Street, New Orleans, LA +1 504-248-3900 [email protected] http://www.norta.com/Getting-Around/Plan-a-Trip/Our-Streetcars.aspx
Excellent
60%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15,978 reviews

RTA - Streetcars

Get wherever you want to go in New Orleans with the Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Our extensive network of buses and streetcars winds throughout every neighborhood of the Crescent City. From Uptown to Downtown, from Lakeview to the Lower Nine, from Mid-City across the Mississippi River and to the parish lines, the RTA goes there.As streetcars glide underneath grand live oaks and past stately mansions, they offer up relaxing views of the beauty, charm and history of New Orleans for little cost. When riders board these historic vehicles they are boarding a piece of movable New Orleans history. The RTA operates three streetcar lines: the famous, historic St. Charles line, the Canal Street line, and the Riverfront line. All lines either run along or intersect with Canal Street in the area between the French Quarter and the Central Business District (CBD) connecting Uptown/Garden District, Carrollton, Mid-City, City Park and the Marigny. The RTA is currently adding more Streetcar lines.

Reviewed By NaniHouse - Fairbury, United States

Rode the St. Charles streetcars from the French Quarter through the beautiful Garden District of Bee Orleans.... then a great breakfast at The Camellia Grill (the best!) and then back around!! Tip: get the day pass and use as often as you want!

4. Union Station

800 N Alameda St Downtown, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2177 +1 800-872-7245 http://unionstationla.com
Excellent
46%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,826 reviews

Union Station

Los Angeles Union Station is the main railroad station in Los Angeles, California, and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western US. Union Station is a major transportation hub for Southern California, serving almost 110,000 passengers a day. The station is the hub of the Amtrak's California regional routes, Amtrak's long distance trains, Metrolink commuter trains, several Metro Rail subway and light rail lines, buses and coach services. History: Established in 1939. Built in 1939, Union Station combines Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, Mission Revival and Streamline Moderne styles. The architecture team included John and Donald Parkinson who also designed Los Angeles City Hall and other city landmarks. Originally intended as a transcontinental terminus station for the Union Pacific, Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Railways, the station was a major hub for troop movement during World War II. The station's historic 161,000 square foot terminal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and the station was restored in 1992. Beginning in the 1970s, growing use of Amtrak and expansion of local and regional rail revitalized the station as a major transportation hub of Southern California. Metro acquired the station in 2011, managing the property that currently serves as a transportation hub for Metro, Metrolink, Amtrak and other transportation services as well an urban mixed-use development site.

Reviewed By ShermanOaks2019 - Los Angeles, United States

Enjoy beautiful architecture - great dining in the station or less than a block away famous Philippes French Dip Sandwich - or great Mexican Food at Olvera Street. If you have time take a quick trip to Santa Monica or to Hollywood & Vine and dine at Musso & Franks, or Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel by the pool.

5. Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry

1347 Roger Williams Way Quonset Point, North Kingstown, RI 02852-7426 +1 401-295-4040 [email protected] http://www.vineyardfastferry.com
Excellent
77%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,371 reviews

Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry

We operate the newest most luxurious fast ferry to Martha's Vineyard. The "Ava Pearl" offers all Business Class seating with interior luggage areas and the most advanced Ride Control System in the world offering the smoothest ride possible. Depart from Quonset Point, Rhode Island and avoid all the Cape Cod traffic - we will save you 3-4 hours in travel time each way! Closest daily ferry to Connecticut, New York & New Jersey. Dockside parking $10/day. Seasonal ferry service operating May through October.

Reviewed By Snowbird607 - New Jersey, United States

Once on board the Julia Leigh fast ferry to Martha's Vineyard, an announcement came on informing us this was the very first sailing of this new boat. We looked at each other with trepidation, as "maiden voyage" immediately brings to mind the Titanic, lol. But, no worries, the ride was smooth as silk, the weather and seas were calm (no icebergs to be seen anywhere) and everything on the boat was shiny and clean. On the way back home, we ran into quite a bit of fog, but we felt very safe and secure. The crew was friendly and helpful, and we were pleased with our decision to use this ferry for our day trip to the island.

6. Metropolitan Area Express (MAX)

Gresham to Hillsboro east-west through downtown, Portland, OR 97209 +1 503-238-7433 [email protected] http://www.trimet.org
Excellent
70%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,011 reviews

Metropolitan Area Express (MAX)

Reviewed By KatAlberta

The Max system was excellent for our visit to Portland, allowing us to buy a day pass and hop on and hop off at our destination.

7. Metromover

Miami Center Downtown, Miami, FL +1 305-891-3131 http://www.miamidade.gov/transit/metromover.asp
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,282 reviews

Metromover

A free mass transit automated people mover train system in Miami, with stops at 20 stations.

Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia

I've visited 80+ countries on all continents and in NONE of them I saw free public transportation (or at least I don't recall). And what kind of transportation !!! You hover around terrific Miami downtown in a air con skytrain for free. Apart the advanteges for the locals, it's a tourist must see (specially the inner loop) to make terrific elevated pics of Miami.

8. METRO Blue Line

Minneapolis, MN 55411-4332 +1 612-724-2662 https://www.metrotransit.org/metro-blue-line
Excellent
74%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 113 reviews

METRO Blue Line

This spring and summer, Metro Transit will keep the light-rail system healthy with some preventive maintenance and improvements.

Reviewed By X9362LJrichards

Never disappointing, but should find a more sure way of collecting fares. Too many evade honor system

9. Beaver Island Boat Company

103 Bridge Park Dr, Charlevoix, MI 49720-1397 +1 231-547-2311 [email protected] http://www.bibco.com
Excellent
75%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 84 reviews

Beaver Island Boat Company

Beaver Island Boat Company has been providing the most relaxing, affordable transportation for people, pets, vehicles, and freight to Beaver Island for over 30 years and reservations for passengers are never required. A trip aboard one of our ferries is a must for those who believe the journey should be just as wonderful as the destination. Enjoy a 2 hour boat ride across 32 miles of Lake Michigan in one of our open air decks or relax in a passenger cabin. Whether you spend a day or week we’re sure you’ll fall in love with Beaver Island. Beaver Island offers – nature lovers and sportsmen alike – pristine woods, isolated beaches, hiking and biking trails, and uncrowded campsites. Fine dining, hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts and cottage rentals await those looking for an extended getaway. Those searching for a truly removed up-north destination will find it on Beaver Island.

Reviewed By balddachshund - Grand Rapids, United States

Took the Emerald Isle from Charlevoix to Beaver Island and back for a day trip adventure. We didn't bring a car or luggage. The boat seems recently fixed up and you can bring food on (saw boxes of sandwiches and a whole deep dish pizza!) and apparently alcohol because people were drinking at 9am and there's not a bar on board. Will remember that next time! Dogs are allowed ($12 one way) and we got to meet several, who all did very well. The lake can get a bit choppy so I'd recommend taking something if you might get seasick. There are also several bathrooms onboard. We arrived at the dock with a gift certificate for round trip passes and a 1.5 hour island bus tour for 2 people and had to get 2 more of the same since there were 4 in our party. We had also made reservations for the bus tour for 4 and had an email confirmation. The person at the ticket counter at the dock was so confused and flustered and had no record of the reservation that they'd sent a confirmation for. The transaction took a long time. The person at the bus tour place had record of the reservation, but for 2 rather than 4. It all ended up working out fine but getting things started felt a little dicey. And yes, there's free wifi!

10. Capitol Corridor

Oakland, CA 94612 +1 877-974-3322 http://www.capitolcorridor.org/
Excellent
58%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Capitol Corridor

Serving communities along a scenic route between the Sierra Foothills and the Silicon Valley, the Capitol Corridor is a fun and convenient alternative to driving along the region's congested freeways. With 17 stations, it provides a vital link between Northern California's major hubs -Sacramento, Oakland, Berkeley, and San Jose - along with dedicated bus service to destinations such as San Francisco, Napa, Lake Tahoe, and Santa Cruz. Whatever your destination, you can ride in style and enjoy free Wi-Fi, a Café Car, and spacious seating , all while taking in northern California's unique beauty.

Reviewed By Danfer5

I started taking the Capitol Corridor for work recently. It is the most pleasant experience for travel I have ever had. The employees are wonderful and helpful. The seats are comfortable. There are plenty of seats. Go Amtrak! You are doing a fantastic job!

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