inter-regional mass transit

[IntrepidMan 0]

In my region I've established a major city of about 350,000 people. My question is, what is the best mass transit option to connect this city with the surrounding suburbs? At first I used only rail and elevated rail, which seemed to work well. Then I replaced the elevated rail with subway, but I'm not getting the traffic I used to. Maybe subway isn't the best option to connect cities. And then there is monorail, which I haven't even used yet. Sometimes I feel like there are too many options.

[Jezus53 18]

Wow, I can't believe you're subway isn't packed! I have cities around 50-60k that just swarm my subways and overcrowd them. Well, I would stick with the subway, because that is the best form of transportation, in my opinion. It's out of the way, it moves sims quickly, it's great. Check and see if more sims are driving instead or are taking rail. If there are more sims taking other modes of transportation than there was before, then the subway probably doesn't take them to where they want to go. But seeing as how you've been able to make a city of 350,000 sims you probably did everything I already said. I am just amazed that you guys can get that high. My max was around 150k. And that was like 50-70k more than my second biggest ever. Anyways, those are my thoughts.

[tycoonsimraider123 16]

Well, like what Jezus53 has said, subway's are indeed the best way, but don't just rely on subway's, you want a mix of subway, elevated rail and the other forms. Also, build some Elevated Freeways to relieve the congestion in your Inner City, and build those freeways out to the suburbs and you will be amazed. last minute question, are you using the 2009 NAM, just curious because that can completely alter your traffic and subway's performance...

[IntrepidMan 0]

I already have a freeway system that radiates from my central city. In fact I think my transportation network on the whole is quite efficient. I am just wondering with all of the many different public transit options, which works best as far as other people's experience. Or maybe it really doesn't matter whether you use elevated rail, or subway, or monorail, or whatever. I am not using 2009 NAM yet but I plan on doing this soon.

[mayorbk 66]

A combination of Subway and Elevated Rail is the best, plus the existing bus, commuter rail and highways. If your subway/el rail isn't getting as much riders it may be due to station placement. Put stations along popular travel routes in the suburbs and connect the line to popular work locations in you large city. also build park and ride stations (place parking garages next to stations). I often put bus stations close so sims can travel between transportation easy.

[The Arrowz 3]

The best thing in the suburbs is probably a combination of buses and subways/el-rail, depending on the density. Add a highway and a commuter rail, and that should complete it; in less dense areas, if you want to add realism, then subways aren't the best ideas cause in real life they're expensive to build and maintain and aren't worth it if all you have are low-density houses in the area. If that's the case, then a commuter rail with a bus system stemming from it is probably your best bet.

[Jezus53 18]

I agree with that one, The Arrowz. The other transit system you can use is the GLR. In my city of San Jose we have that same type of system in our suburbs. It just in the middle of the freeways. But yeah, have a commuter rail, buses, and maybe a GLR system. Nothing too extravagant, but useful.

[IntrepidMan 0]

Thanks for the tips. Does anyone use monorail? Right now I have a short monorail line connecting my downtown to the airport. I put it in because I thought it would be cool to have one but I don't know what else to do with it.

[Jezus53 18]

Monorail is kinda dumb, in my opinion. It's really expensive and sensitive to sudden changes in elevation. I really don't use monorail or elevated rail simply because it takes up space. Plus, I don't think it looks realistic. I think it's because the terrain underneath it is just bleh. If I could back it have a concrete base or a bright green grass or some bushes or something!

[mayorbk 66]

Monorails a expensive and basically do the same thing as subway/elevated rail.

[Dizastrow 4]

I find highways are the easiest way to connect every city tile in your region.  Although expensive.

If you are using only LARGE tiles in your region, what i like to do is make a CROSS in each tile with a clover leaf right in the middle.  I have never had traffic problems in my cities.  It seems to work quite well.

Now if you are not using ONLY LARGE city tiles and have some small and medium ones, this can be quite tricky.

[Jezus53 18]

Another good tatic is laying down you're highways in advanced. If you start out on easy you'll have enough cash to do this and build a city. If you don't want to spen the cash, then build parks there or make sure you remember not to build anything there.

[ArchangelMichael 51]

Originally posted by: Jezus53 I really don't use monorail or elevated rail simply because it takes up space. Plus, I don't think it looks realistic. I think it's because the terrain underneath it is just bleh. If I could back it have a concrete base or a bright green grass or some bushes or something!quote>

This will make the blank grass areas under el-rail more interesting for you.  The same mod exists for Mac users, too.

[tahill79 13]

i use what makes me happy and what fits my region. im from ohio so we dont have subways here so rail and bus is our means of mass transit. so thats how i tend to build my cities. do what you think is best for your cities

[Madog 3]

IntrepidMan

For some unkown reason, sims don't like subway or trains. They love cars. So, to connect citys, do some highways and elevates highways. But Trains and elevate rail it's too a good option and they are a good eye-candy.

Good luck!

[moneymoneymoney 0]

If you've got the money, try the monorail. They are faster then e-trains, subs & trains.

[Dizastrow 4]

The areas under highways and monorails can be spruced up by planting trees underneath them. 

[nolocond 15]

Originally posted by: mayorbk A combination of Subway and Elevated Rail is the best, plus the existing bus, commuter rail and highways. If your subway/el rail isn't getting as much riders it may be due to station placement. Put stations along popular travel routes in the suburbs and connect the line to popular work locations in you large city. also build park and ride stations (place parking garages next to stations). I often put bus stations close so sims can travel between transportation easy.quote>

 

i agree here, i try to map out my traffic routes and have monorail, el train, subway, highway, etc. my el train is connected to the subways, and also to regular ground rail. i also place a bus stop and sub station near just abt every monorail and el train station. you would be amazed at how many times transit is switched for the fastest way to work. also one thing ive noticed with subways and rail is they doi need to be close to the main traffic routes, you will find a lot of subway traffic at a busy avenue.