Mexico's Metro

Back in Mexico City after 10 days in Tokyo, I can't help but compare the 2 largest most crowded cities in the world. Except for their similar population size and density, Tokyo and Mexico City couldn't be more different.

No where is this highlighted more plainly than in the metro/subway/train system.

Tokyo has at least 4 different train lines that provide above-ground and underground service throughout the city and it's suburbs. There is also a complex network of buses that transport people directly from the train stations to other places where the train does not go. 2 other large Japanese cities also have a metro/subway system, and a series of high-speed trains connect the large cities together. The trains throughout Tokyo are clean, efficient, quiet, and modern. The train stations are busy but not "squishy" with plenty of attention and space given to elderly, infirm, tourists, and babies. There are clean, free restrooms. There are signs and maps in English (and Japanese, of course) liberally spaced throughout the station. There are helpful bilingual station staff who are available to answer questions, fix ticket problems, direct traffic, encourage safety, and retrieve lost items.

Mexico's system is completely different. Mexico has no passenger rail service; there is only a tourist train that goes on a set route through the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua (see my posts on this from October). Mexico City, the capital, is the only city with train service and this underground only goes through the central area; it does not extend to most of the suburbs that are now integrated with DF. The trains have no schedule. They are loud and pushy and dirty, there are few signs, no restrooms, and many many beggars and peddlers. There are many buses, but we have never taken a bus in DF or Toluca (we do take a tourist bus from Toluca to the DF airport, but that is a different story). The buses seem to have no schedule or set route, they pick up anyone anywhere anytime. The buses are notorious for being highjacked by young men with black market guns.

On the other hand, it often costs $10/day/person for the multiple trains needed to get around Tokyo. Each ride on a Mexico City metro (with free transfers) is only 20 cents. It seems that we get what we pay for.

Mexico City has recently raised its rates a few cents and is promising many new reforms: more cars and more trains, more security, more restrooms, fewer peddlers, and also more station services. I still doubt that many Japanese would feel comfortable on a DF train.

For more info on Mexico City Train improvements see -->
http://thenews.com.mx/articulo/series-of-improvements-set-for-metro-system-10114