Score Cities on Transit Coverage and Frequency
Estimate how easy it is to rely on public transport in different cities. Compare transit coverage, frequency, and convenience side by side.
Check how transit-friendly a city feels
Estimate public transport accessibility using simple, static indicators like stop density, service frequency, and late-night availability.
Coverage Score
How well transit stops cover the city
Wait Times
Typical peak and off-peak wait times
Overall Score
0-100 transit accessibility rating
Compare Cities
Side-by-side transit comparison
Choose one or two cities to get started
New York has great transit—if you live on the right block. Phoenix has a light rail—but most people never use it. A public transit score tells you how well a city's system works in aggregate, not whether the 6 bus stops near your future apartment. Chicago scores high because the L runs frequently to many neighborhoods. Los Angeles scores lower because coverage is spotty despite recent investments. This tool compares coverage, frequency, and convenience scores between cities so you can see what you're getting into before you commit to car-free life—or accept that you'll need a car anyway.
The difference between a 75 transit score and a 35 transit score is the difference between selling your car and needing two.
Transit Score Breakdown: What's Being Measured
The overall accessibility score combines three components. Each one matters differently depending on how you'd actually use transit.
Component weights
Frequency gets the most weight because it's what makes transit usable day-to-day. A bus stop on your corner is worthless if the bus comes every 45 minutes. A train that comes every 5 minutes lets you skip checking schedules entirely—you just show up.
80-100: Transit city
New York, San Francisco, Chicago. You can live without a car entirely. Many residents do. Frequent service, extensive coverage, reliable night options.
60-79: Usable transit
Boston, DC, Philadelphia. Transit works for commuting and many errands. You might want a car for suburban trips or late nights, but it's optional for daily life.
40-59: Limited usefulness
Denver, Portland, Seattle. Transit exists and works for specific corridors. But most neighborhoods require a car. You might use transit for downtown trips, not daily life.
Below 40: Car required
Phoenix, Dallas, Houston. Transit is minimal. Some people use it out of necessity, but the system doesn't serve most residents' needs. Plan on owning a car.
Car-Free vs Car-Light Realities
"You don't need a car" and "you can get by without a car" are different statements. Only a handful of US cities truly support car-free living. Many more support car-light—owning a car but using it rarely.
Car-free (score 75+)
You can handle all daily needs without a car: commuting, groceries, doctor visits, evening activities. Transit + walking + occasional rideshare covers everything.
Reality check: Even in NYC, some people want cars for weekend trips, Costco runs, or visiting suburban family. "Can live without" doesn't mean "should."
Car-light (score 50-74)
Transit handles your commute and many errands. But you need a car for some trips: suburban shopping, late-night activities, trips outside the transit network.
This is where most "transit-friendly" US cities actually land. You might drive 3-4 times per week instead of daily.
The financial calculation
Car ownership costs $500-$1,000/month (payment, insurance, gas, maintenance, parking). In car-free cities, paying $300 more rent for a transit-accessible apartment often saves money overall. In car-light cities, you might pay transit premium rent AND still own a car—worst of both worlds. Run the total cost, not just rent.
When comparing cities, think about what you'd actually give up. Some people happily trade car access for walkable neighborhoods. Others find car-free life isolating when friends live in suburbs.
Rush Hour Service vs All-Day Coverage
Many transit systems perform well from 7-9am and 5-7pm, then collapse. If you work standard office hours, rush-hour service matters most. If you work evenings, weekends, or need flexibility, all-day coverage matters more.
9-to-5 commuters
You get the best service cities offer. Trains every 5-10 minutes, express buses, full coverage. Your experience will match or exceed the transit score. After work, service degrades but you're already home.
Service industry and shift workers
If your shift ends at 11pm or starts at 5am, check late-night and early-morning service specifically. Many cities run "owl" service on limited routes only. The transit score assumes average usage patterns—yours might differ significantly.
Weekend users
Saturday service is often 50-70% of weekday frequency. Sunday is worse. If your social life happens on weekends, weekday commute quality is irrelevant. Check weekend schedules separately.
Parents with school pickup
School pickup is 3pm. Rush hour service hasn't started. Mid-afternoon frequency can be half of peak. If you're counting on transit for school runs, verify specific route schedules.
The convenience score tries to capture all-day usability, but it's an average. If your schedule is non-standard, research specific routes for your actual commute times.
The Last-Mile Problem (Suburbs, Exurbs, Edge Cities)
City-wide transit scores average together the urban core (usually good) and outer areas (usually bad). If you're considering suburban neighborhoods, the citywide score is misleading. Your specific location matters enormously.
Same city, different realities
Chicago Loop: Effective transit score ~95. Multiple L lines, frequent buses, walk to anything.
Chicago suburbs (Naperville): Effective transit score ~25. Metra train to downtown only. Car required for local trips.
Chicago citywide average: ~75. Neither reality for most residents.
Near a rail station
Living within 10-minute walk of a rail station usually means transit works for your commute. The rest of suburban life still requires a car, but your daily commute is covered.
Bus-only suburbs
Suburban buses run infrequently (30-60 minutes) and connect to transit hubs, not your final destination. Multiple transfers for most trips. Technically "transit accessible" but practically car-dependent.
No fixed-route service
Many exurbs and edge cities have no regular transit at all. Park-and-ride lots assume you drive to transit. The citywide score includes these areas, pulling down the average.
After using this tool for city comparison, research your specific neighborhood using Walk Score's Transit Score or Google Maps transit routing. The address-level reality can differ 40+ points from the city average.
Transit Score vs Actual Commute Time
A high transit score doesn't guarantee a short commute. It means transit exists and runs frequently—your specific route might still take forever.
- 1.Score measures access, not speed. A city with frequent buses everywhere might have a higher score than one with fast trains on limited routes. But the train city might give you a faster commute if your route is covered.
- 2.Transfers kill commute time. A 15-minute train ride with a 10-minute wait for a connecting bus is 25+ minutes each way. Two transfers can double apparent commute time. Check your specific route.
- 3.Last-mile walking adds up. "5-minute walk to the station" plus "10-minute walk from downtown station to office" is 30 minutes of walking daily. Fine if you like it, exhausting if you don't.
- 4.Compare to driving time. A 45-minute transit commute might still beat a 35-minute driving commute when you factor in parking stress, gas costs, and productive time reading on the train.
Use Google Maps to simulate your actual commute before committing to an apartment. Enter your workplace, select "transit," and check different times of day. The transit score tells you the city works; the route planner tells you if your commute works.
Getting Around Questions
Why does this score differ from Walk Score's Transit Score?
Different data sources, different weighting, different methodology. Walk Score measures address-specific access; this tool compares city-wide averages. Both are approximations. Use both—city comparison here, address-level research on Walk Score.
Does a higher score mean cheaper transportation costs?
Usually. Higher transit scores correlate with lower car dependency. A family that can go from two cars to one, or one car to zero, saves $500-$1,000/month. But transit fares add up too—monthly passes in major cities cost $75-$130. The math depends on your specific situation.
What about bike-share and scooters?
This tool focuses on fixed-route transit (buses, trains, light rail). Bike-share and e-scooters solve the last-mile problem in some cities, making moderate transit scores more livable. If you're comfortable biking, a city with good transit + good bike infrastructure can feel car-optional even at a 55 score.
Do scores account for planned expansions?
No. Scores reflect current infrastructure. Cities like LA and Austin are building new rail lines that will improve scores in 5-10 years. If you're making a long-term decision, research expansion plans—but don't count on them. Transit projects frequently delay or scale back.
Is transit safe in these cities?
Transit scores measure accessibility, not safety or cleanliness. Safety perceptions vary by city and by individual. Research local news and transit-specific subreddits for current conditions. A city with great coverage might have safety concerns on certain lines or at certain hours.
Where does this data come from?
Federal Transit Administration's National Transit Database, American Public Transportation Association ridership data, and public transit agency schedules. This is public data compiled for comparison purposes.
Sources
- •Federal Transit Administration: transit.dot.gov
- •American Public Transportation Association: apta.com
- •Walk Score: walkscore.com
For Educational Purposes Only - Not Professional Advice
This calculator provides estimates for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute travel, financial, legal, or professional advice. Results are based on the information you provide and general guidelines that may not account for your individual circumstances. Costs, fees, and regulations change frequently. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or transportation specialist for advice specific to your situation. Information should be verified with official Transportation.gov sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Public Transport Accessibility Score Estimator.
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