×

10 States With The Worst Transit Systems & 10 With The Best


10 States With The Worst Transit Systems & 10 With The Best


Transit Truths That Say It All

Have you ever relied on public transit only to end up late and frustrated? While some states take public transportation seriously and prioritize helping people get around, others treat it like an afterthought. If you're a daily commuter or an occasional rider, it's important to know what public transit is like in the place you might consider visiting or even moving to. So let's take a deeper look at which states have the worst transit system and which have the best. 

man sitting on gang chairMike Bowman on Unsplash

1. Alabama

It’s no wonder why Alabama is “the transit desert.” The state’s lack of investment in buses and rail means minimal service, especially outside big cities. Missed connections and long waits are the norm. For many residents, getting around without a car is nearly impossible.

File:Alabama Av BMT td (2018-10-01) 04 - East New York Bus Depot.jpgTdorante10 on Wikimedia

2. Mississippi

Public transit in Mississippi has only a few options. Residents suffer from unreliable and often nonexistent service, especially when it comes to buses. So, if you want to cover a long distance, that depends on whether the system even shows up for work.

File:Coast Transit Authority buses.jpgZnns on Wikimedia

3. West Virginia

Public transportation is hindered by limited funding and infrastructure in West Virginia. People often face extended commute times, spending approximately 76.7% more time on public transit than on personal vehicles. Additionally, 30.9% of the state's transit vehicles have surpassed their useful life, which leads to frequent breakdowns.

File:20201006 48 OVRTA EORTA bus, Tridelphia, West Virginia (50888575108).jpgDavid Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA on Wikimedia

Advertisement

4. Arkansas

Arkansas' transit system is dangerous. The state recorded around 85 bus accidents and three fatalities in 2024 alone. The number is high because of poor roads, insufficient safety features, and too many grade crossings.

File:Tan Route, Razorback Transit makes stop at NWQ.jpgBrandonrush on Wikimedia

5. Nebraska

Yes, 82 out of 93 counties in Nebraska offer transit services. However, the problems lie in limited bus stops, poor infrastructure, and tough access for rural residents. All these issues make commuting a big challenge. If you don’t live in the right spot, you're out of luck.

File:StarTran bus (CNG), Lincoln, Nebraska, USA.jpgHanyou23 on Wikimedia

6. Louisiana

Transit in Louisiana makes things worse. With poor connectivity and few options, more people are forced to drive. That’s led to a 20% jump in vehicle miles traveled since 2000. Moreover, with fewer buses, there’s more congestion. It’s a cycle of traffic that just keeps getting worse.

File:Ferriday Louisiana July 2019.jpgU.S. Department of Agriculture on Wikimedia

7. Arizona

Arizona ranks poorly overall in public transit, and it’s not hard to see why. Phoenix, the state’s largest city, is so spread out that making transit work is a nightmare. The worst issues are long travel times and gaps in service that make traveling without a car frustratingly difficult.

File:Valley Metro Bus - Downtown Phoenix, Arizona (49441796646).jpgTony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States on Wikimedia

8. Connecticut

Connecticut’s transit system is battling terrible roads. The state is ranked 14th in the nation for poor road conditions by US News. This is especially a concern for those who prefer buses. There’s talk of improvement, but for now, expect a bumpy ride—literally.

File:Pearl Street looking East; Downtown Hartford, Connecticut.jpgKenneth C. Zirkel on Wikimedia

9. Wyoming

In Wyoming, there’s a vast rural area and a low population density. Still, the state has prioritized road and highway infrastructure over buses or rail. So, most residents are forced to rely on personal vehicles. While federal funding supports road safety and truck parking, there’s little investment in public transit options.

File:Traffic at Norris Junction (5) (9cad945a-8c62-4c58-aa73-89f0f6598e5d).jpgJacob W. Frank on Wikimedia

Advertisement

10. Texas

Public transit isn’t the only problem in Texas—freight trains are, too. The state leads the nation in blocked rail crossings, with some freight trains stretching over three miles. That means school buses, emergency vehicles, and commuters often find themselves stuck, waiting for the tracks to clear.

File:DART Light Rail Train - Dallas, Texas (33745658008).jpgTony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States on Wikimedia

So, we’ve seen where transit falls short. Now, let’s talk about the states that show us good public transportation is a reality.

1. New York

NYC's transit system is the heavyweight champion of American public transportation, and the numbers tell the story. We're talking about 3.6 million subway riders daily across 472 stations, plus 238 bus routes that keep the city moving. The state also scored big with a $55.6 million grant in 2023 for the Kensington Expressway Project.

people walking at train stationMitchell Trotter on Unsplash

2. California

When it comes to variety, California's got game. BART moves about 750,000 people daily around the Bay Area, while LA's expanding its Metro Rail to tackle that famous sprawl. The state's not only moving people but keeping them safe, too. It grabbed a part of the $40 million federal safety grant in 2021 to improve its tricky railway crossings.

File:BART Fleet of the Future train at West Oakland.jpgInsightwm on Wikimedia

3. Massachusetts

Massachusetts keeps its transit system strong with the MBTA, serving over a million riders daily in Greater Boston. The state's achievements can be seen in projects like the Green Line Extension and a $400 million safety upgrade plan. Boston's transit system ranks among the top for accessibility, efficiency, and reach.

File:MBTA 1 bus at Massachusetts Avenue.jpg4300streetcar on Wikimedia

4. Illinois

Illinois has a solid public transportation system, particularly in the Chicago metropolitan area. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the 'L' train system, serving approximately 1.5 million daily riders. In 2023, the CTA ranked third among US local bus agencies.

silver train near stationStephy Miehle on Unsplash

5. New Jersey

When nearly half of Jersey City's residents ditch their cars for public transit, you know the system works. NJ Transit runs the biggest statewide system in America, connecting major cities and crossing state lines. Their smart thinking shows that when it comes to transit, bigger is actually better.

File:NJ Transit 4653 (14117463669).jpgMike Kam on Wikimedia

Advertisement

6. Washington

Washington's Metro system is the second-largest urban rail system in America, connecting 91 stations across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. We're talking 600,000 daily rail trips, plus another 400,000 trips on Metrobus. The C-Tran up in Vancouver earned the North American Transit System of the Year title twice (2019 and 2022).

A subway station with people waiting for the trainZoshua Colah on Unsplash

7. Oregon

In Oregon, Portland's MAX Light Rail system alone moves 120,000 riders daily across 60 miles of track. But what makes Oregon special is how the whole state does it right. Be it Salem's Cherriots bus service or Eugene's EmX rapid transit. Portland even scored a rare Platinum-level rating from the League of American Bicyclists.

white cable train at daytimeSlava Keyzman on Unsplash

8. Virginia

Between Metrorail, Metrobus, and the Virginia Railway Express, commuters have multiple choices that work well. Paul Smedberg, who was named “Outstanding Virginian” by Equality Virginia in 2010, became Metro’s board member and backed the title of “Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member” for his work.

mochilazoculturalmochilazocultural on Pixabay

9. Maryland

Good transit between major cities is tricky. Thankfully, Maryland is here to say otherwise. The state moves 1.1 million people daily in the Baltimore-Washington area without breaking a sweat. The MARC Train connects commuters to D.C. while local systems keep neighborhoods linked.

File:MARC Charger Testing.jpgRyan Stavely on Wikimedia

10. Minnesota

The Twin Cities prove that mid-sized metros can win the public transit scene. Metro Transit's mix of light rail and buses serves Minneapolis-Saint Paul seamlessly. Next, Duluth's system shows small cities can do it even better—moving 2.1 million riders yearly.

File:Metro Transit (Minnesota) Siemens S70 arriving Target Field (cropped).jpgMulad on Wikimedia




WEEKLY UPDATE

Want to learn something new every day?

Unlock valuable industry trends and expert advice, delivered directly to your inbox. Join the Wealthy Driver community by subscribing today.

Thank you!

Error, please try again.