Interborough Rapid Transit Company, Third Avenue Elevated Line, Borough of the Bronx, New York, New York County, NY

New York Subway Historic Photos

The history of New York City's transportation system. New York City is distinguished from other U.S. cities for its low personal automobile ownership and its significant use of public transportation. New York is the only city in the United States where over half of all households do not own a car (Manhattan's non-ownership is even higher, around 75%; nationally, the rate is 8%). New York City has, by far, the highest rate of public transportation use of any American city. New York City also has the longest mean travel time for commuters (39 minutes) among major U.S. cities. The Second Industrial Revolution fundamentally changed the city – the port infrastructure grew at such a rapid pace after the 1825 completion of the Erie Canal that New York became the most important connection between all of Europe and the interior of the United States. Elevated trains and subterranean transportation ('El trains' and 'subways') were introduced between 1867 and 1904. Private automobiles brought an additional change for the city by around 1930, notably the 1927 Holland Tunnel.

The history of the subway, or underground railway, dates back to the 19th century. The first underground railway was the Metropolitan Railway in London, which opened in 1863. It was proposed for London by Charles Pearson, a city solicitor, as part of a city-improvement plan shortly after the opening of the Thames Tunnel in 1843. The subway quickly became a popular mode of transportation in urban areas, as it allowed people to travel quickly and efficiently through the city. Over time, many cities around the world built their own subway systems, and today, subway trains are a common sight in many major cities. The technology used in subway systems has evolved over time, and modern trains are faster and more efficient than ever before.

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