As major cities expand, so does the need for reliable urban mobility infrastructure—an essential demand that Melbourne has enthusiastically embraced to support its growing population.
Boasting Australia’s most extensive rail network, the city continues to invest in innovative projects, such as the ambitious North East Link and the Metro Tunnel, which will integrate seamlessly with the iconic City Loop—a circular route covering the Central Business District.
Inspired by this landmark project, let’s explore some of the best subways in the world that have revolutionised urban transportation, such as the Ringbahn in Berlin and the Grand Paris Express in France.
Circular Lines: Past, Present, and Future of Urban Mobility
Melbourne, City Loop
Inaugurated in 1981, Melbourne’s City Loop transformed the city’s urban motion transportation with its circular design. By creating multiple intersections with other lines, it addressed the rising demand for transport and significantly reduced congestion on commuter lines heading into the Central Business District.
The project also played a pivotal role in revitalising residential areas and spurring commercial development. A notable milestone in its history was the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Museum Station in 1980, which cemented the City Loop’s iconic status in Melbourne’s transportation legacy.
London, Circle Line – The first subway in the world
Inaugurated in 1884 as the first subway in the world, London’s Circle Line enabled rapid transit through the bustling city center, providing seamless connections to other underground lines.
Initially represented in the same green color as other lines, it adopted its iconic yellow color in 1949. Today, the Circle Line remains a vital part of London’s urban transport network, serving commuters, tourists, and residents alike.
Berlin, Ringbahn
Berlin’s circular railway line, the Ringbahn, has a rich history, with its first sections constructed in the late 1800s. Marked by the city’s tumultuous past, it was divided in two by the Berlin Wall during the Cold War.
Spanning 37.5 kilometers, the Berliner Ringbahn takes approximately 60 minutes to complete a full loop around the city and serves hundreds of thousands of passengers daily.
Copenhagen, Cityringen
With one of Europe’s most advanced public transport systems, Copenhagen’s urban transportation was further enhanced by the Cityringen metro, officially inaugurated in 2019. The project involved constructing 15.5 km of tunnels and 17 new stations, a particularly challenging feat given Copenhagen’s sea-level location and abundance of historical sites.
Fully automated and operational 24/7, the Cityringen ensures the mobility of 240,000 passengers daily, all while maintaining a strong focus on sustainable urban mobility.
Paris, Grand Paris Express
To address its rapidly growing population, Paris is undertaking Europe’s most ambitious sustainable mobility project: the Grand Paris Express. With 200 kilometers of new metro lines arranged in four loops around the city, it will connect nearly all suburbs in the Île-de-France region, integrating the outskirts with the city center.
This transformative project is a cornerstone of the vision for a zero-emissions Paris powered entirely by renewable energy by 2050.
Metro lines as Models of Sustainability: the Doha Metro
The focus on sustainability showcased by the major metro projects we’ve explored is echoed in other remarkable initiatives around the world, such as Doha’s Red Line North Underground, which won the Qatar Sustainability Award in 2017.
Spanning approximately 13 kilometers and connecting seven new metro stations, this Doha metro line has revolutionised urban mobility in the city while significantly reducing CO2 emissions, removing over 200,000 cars from the roads every day. The metro in Qatar is a cornerstone of the country’s National Development Plan for 2030.
