i heart public transportation

The best thing about living in a large European capital is not needing a car. I even get some unkind enjoyment out of seeing people have problems with their car: traffic jams; no parking; hemmed in by double-parkers; fender benders with other inattentive drivers. In spite of being sometimes crowded, it's much easier to squeeze on to a train or bus than maneuver through crowded and narrow streets in my own vehicle. Even if there are delays, I can just pull out a book since I don't have to worry about driving.


Older metro entrance at Argüelles











New entrance at Moncloa






The movie star streetcar in Pinar de Charmartín Metro station. It was in several films, but the credit for Doctor Zhivago, which is on the plaque in the display, seems to be naught but an urban legend.







Trains coming and going on Line 3 in Argüelles station





If you have to graphically tell people it's for sitting, it's probably not very well designed










Ghost stations, official (Chamberí)











and unofficial (Arroyo Fresno)













Ceiling of hallway to Line 2 at San Bernardo on a rainy day











Evidence of a 90 year old metro:



Even though the oldest line is just over 90 years old, these photos are from Line 4 at Bilbao and San Bernardo stations, opened in 1944. There are connections with Line 2 at San Bernardo (1925) and Line 1 at Bilbao (1919), but the Line 4 sections are less cared for at its older end.



















Old bus, new bus


Red bus












Blue bus















Some bus stops have these now. Not the ones in the middle of nowhere, where you don't have a choice but to wait an hour if that's how long it takes, but it's a start.


























A stopped clock, what a surprise. At Las Tablas Light Metro stop.











The Light Metro


















Driver's seat
















Ishtar Gate blue tiles at the tunnel entrance near Blasco Ibañez stop










Tiles from the train