Early systems in the West History of rapid transit

paris métro under construction around 1900.

the first line of paris métro opened in 1900. full name chemin de fer métropolitain, direct translation french of london s metropolitan railway. name shortened métro, , many other languages have since borrowed word.

the berlin u-bahn (for underground railway) opened in 1902; because large sections of line elevated, called hochbahn (high railway) until 1920s. germany s second system, hamburg u-bahn opened in 1904.

the athens-piraeus electric railway built steam-hauled suburban line in 1869 , acquired underground section in capital in 1874. electrified in 1904 , became part of athens metro in 2011.

istanbul s 1875 tünel described subway system underground funicular.

the americas

two mbta blue line trains meet @ aquarium station in boston massachusetts.



interior of buenos aires vintage subte line cars, in use until 2013.

boston has oldest subway tunnel in united states still in use, part of mbta s green line downtown, dating 1897. original construction short four-track tunnel, 2 stations downtown, built take streetcars outlying areas off streets in congested area. in 1901-1908, heavy rail trains temporarily shared tunnel part of original configuration of main line elevated, first elevated railway in boston. later subway lines built in boston carry heavy rail trains; green line still operates light rail equipment.

the new york city subway, has become 1 of world s largest, opened first section in 1904, independent four-track line stretching 9 miles (14.5 km) city hall 145th street. extensions built, reaching bronx , brooklyn; part of irt system. 2 major subway systems, operated bmt , ind constructed later, , many pre-existing elevated railway lines incorporated bmt , irt systems. hudson , manhattan railroad, opened subway tunnel in manhattan in 1908 , connected new jersey, remained separate railroad company, , later came under control of port authority of new york , new jersey port authority trans-hudson (path). new york city subway lines run on right-of-way first used in 1863 railroads, , converted r44 subway cars run on 1860 staten island railway.

in 1907, first line in philadelphia, part of market–frankford line, began running on both elevated , underground structures.

the oldest subway in southern hemisphere, subterráneos de buenos aires (subte), opened in 1913 underground tramway in buenos aires, argentina. line of subte used magnificently preserved la burgeoise wood , metal carriages, in continuous operation 100 years. in 2013 cars replaced new rolling stock.