We’re number one! Hong Kong’s public transport system best in the world: study

Hong Kong’s public transport system is the best in the world, according to a new study.

The Sustainable Cities Mobility Index 2017 awarded the city first place for its “its innovative and well-connected metro network”, noting a high share of trips were taken by public transport in the territory.

“The Asian city’s mobility system, underpinned by a well organized, modern and efficiently funded metro system, manages to achieve many of the aims of an effective urban transport system – enabling comprehensive mobility around a city, creating economic opportunity and enriching the lives of citizens, business and tourists alike,” the study read.

The study, which ranked 100 cities, was released by Arcadis, a global Design & Consultancy firm. 

Following in Hong Kong’s wake were Zurich and Paris. Regionally, other top cities were Seoul and Singapore, which ranked fourth and eighth, respectively. Among the lowest ranked were Hanoi, Cairo and, sadly, Coconuts sister city Kuala Lumpur.

Hong Kong topped the “people sub-index”, which assess factors including transport coverage, reliability, hours of operation and, ultimately, the popularity of the system.

Arcadis director of global solutions Rob Mooren noted that the MTR company’s approach of using profits from real estate development to pay for the extension of the mass transit rail network was now being exported to mainland China.

Giving Hong Kong props for “innovation”, the report also noted its metro system allows riders to use 3G internet in all tunnels and stations.

Hong Kong, however, scored lower on the “plant sub-index” — a measure of environmental factors such as pollution and greenhouse gas emissions — coming in 53rd.

“This was due mainly to the high levels of pollution caused by busy ports as key industrial harbors have high levels of container traffic every day,” it stated.

Still … we kinda rock.

See the whole list here.



Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply


BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on