[Dramatic Changes in the Japanese-English Bilingual Labor Market in the US] 14. Subways and Light Rail Systems in U.S. Cities

Based on my business travel experience across the U.S., I used to think that only a few major cities had subway systems—New York’s Subway and its PATH train connecting New Jersey and Manhattan, Boston’s “T” (the oldest subway in the U.S.), Washington D.C.’s Metro, Chicago’s elevated “L” system, and Atlanta’s MARTA, which runs north-south and east-west within the city loop.

But I was wrong—there are actually more cities with subways or rail systems than I initially thought.

In addition to those, you’ll find rail systems in Miami, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and even Los Angeles. There are also some unusual cases, like Cincinnati, which had subway plans back in the 1920s, and Honolulu, where the new “Skyline” light rail is expanding its reach.

In many of these cities, rail systems connect downtown areas with residential neighborhoods and airports. In large metropolitan areas, the central parts may be served by subways, while the surrounding areas are covered by surface trains or light rail systems.

As someone who mainly travels for business, I’ve personally used systems in New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Chicago. In cities like Los Angeles, Houston, and even San Francisco, the business hubs and residential areas have rapidly moved away from traditional downtown districts. That shift makes public transit less practical for the majority of residents, aside from those living right in the city center.

Given the sheer size of the United States and how widely business districts are spreading, I often question whether expanding subway and rail systems—projects that require significant time and money—are really effective solutions. I’m curious to see how things might change with the advent of flying cars. Perhaps they’ll even help solve issues like regional revitalization in Japan, where everything is so concentrated in Tokyo.

Also, because the U.S. is such a car-centric country, living without a car is difficult—even in urban areas. In most American cities, you can reach suburban neighborhoods filled with greenery within just a 15-minute drive from downtown. For daily errands and shopping, owning a car is practically essential.

That said, New York City stands out as one of the very few major U.S. cities where public transportation is so well-developed that many people don’t even need a driver’s license or a car at all.

Written by Masato Fujihara, President
Interesse International Group
Came to New York as an expatriate for an HR company in January 1994.  Became independent in 1996 and started own business in defiance of return-to-Japan order by the company.  Currently, Interesse International Group has 11 locations in the United States and established a Japanese subsidiary in 2022. With 30 years of knowledge and experience in the HR industry, Interesse International Group delivers practical information to clients.