I would say there's a meaningful distinction between rapid transit and intercity rail (as well as commuter rail in the middle). They serve different purposes, have different usage patterns. What's particularly impressive about the Moscow Metro is that these are all train platforms, not separate waiting rooms. Even the nice, photogenic part of Union Station is across the street from the functional half of the building, which is a rabbit warren of halls and half-floors that I always seemed to take a wrong turn in no matter how many times I went there.

As for Chicago, the North Side L stations are generally nice to look at and stand at. The Kimball subway is fine, the State and Dearborn subways could be better, and the expressway branches are the most miserable experiences of all. Most of the Metra Electric is an atrocity.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Driving down the Kennedy with my mom we saw a guy just drop trou and take a shit on the platform at Montrose. Classic moment.

I'd also mention that a major annoyance – that can't just be blamed on unhoused people who don't have access to bathrooms – is people using CTA carriages, platforms, and elevators as lavatories. That's a major problem for wheelchair users who have to deal with unsanitary lifts. We could address it by opening public restrooms at rapid transit stations, which is common in more transit-friendly countries.

It goes without saying that CTA riders from all walks of life would do well to put into practice a transit application of the Golden Rule. Everyone would benefit from the increased implementation of basic Midwestern values like neighborliness and conscientiousness. We can all contribute by making small efforts on our own part.

So let other riders get off the bus or train before you try to get on. Don’t walk the aisles jostling other passengers with a bulky backpack. After sitting down, don’t take up the empty seat next to you with your bags and other belongings. Get yourself a set of earbuds or headphones, and wear them when you watch YouTube videos or play your favorite tunes. Maybe wait until you get home to chow down on that delicious Harold’s takeout, rather than leaving piles of gnawed chicken bones strewn across the train seats. And guys – stop manspreading, for Pete’s sake.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

https://st2.depositphotos.com/1010122/7951/i/450/depositphotos_79512670-stock-photo-rizhsky-railway-station-rizhsky-vokzal.jpg
This is one of their outdoor stations, I think for one of the commuter lines ("diameters," they seem to call them). Looks a little like the palace in St. Petersburg.

another problem with chicago is that the network is based on a hub and spoke pattern. what if you want to go from logan square to edgewater? take a 45-60 minute car ride. or multiple buses. Europoor cities are good at making sure you're never further than a 10 minute walk from a train or tram.

another problem with chicago is that the network is based on a hub and spoke pattern. what if you want to go from logan square to edgewater? take a 45-60 minute car ride. or multiple buses. Europoor cities are good at making sure you're never further than a 10 minute walk from a train or tram.

It will be nice when trains go away for self driving cars. Maybe use the same land.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Russia is evil. Putin apologist!

I don't believe this at all. It's all propaganda. Russia does things in the interest of Russia. There might be corruption, but at least Putin is for a strong Russia. I can't blame them for that. And when you have the U.S. and Nato on your boundaries engaging in a proxy war with Russia in the Ukraine, I can fully understand why Russia is pissed off. It would be like Canada being our adversary while being backed by Russia with Russian weapons. We wouldn't stand for that either.

Whereas in the U.S., one of the major political parties trying to destroy America from within their gay, liberal, atheist, satanic agenda. All the public Universities in the U.S. are governed by these satanic people---Luciferians. They need to be thrown out or jailed for the sake of the country and the youth that they brainwash.

I've never been to Russia or seen their metro. But I have seen the Paris metro. It's pretty cool. No graffiti either.

Russia has tried several forms of government and all have devolved into the most brutal oppression against the people. Externally, they have raped and pillaged every neighbor they have had for almost 1,000 years. I'm sure the common Russian is a fine person but there is something about the Russian ethos is, essentially, to see how much and how quickly you can get over on your neighbor.

most adults in Russia have been alive during a time in which the USSR existed

There is a reason why Russians hate NATO. It's literally a meaningless alliance unless the goal is to attack a neighbor.

As time goes on, I assume the idea that the Baltic states should be part of Russia will lessen but most adults in Russia have been alive during a time in which the USSR existed.

As time goes on, I assume the idea that the Baltic states should be part of Russia will lessen but most adults in Russia have been alive during a time in which the USSR existed.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Externally, they have raped and pillaged every neighbor they have had for almost 1,000 years.

The U.S. has only been doing so for about 60 years.

How widespread is this belief? The Baltic states are in NATO and have been for years, which I'd take as a concession that that's all settled. It's not like they're Slavic peoples with centuries of history with Russia. It'd be like yearning to get Armenia back.

What do you think Russia would do if it surrounded another county's province like Kaliningrad? Not a chance in the world a place like that would survive. But Kaliningrad sits there peacefully with less war like neighbors.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Right, because if Poland and Lithuania antagonized a Russian garrison town, it would probably end poorly.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

It's a shame we cannot have nice things here.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.