The world's first subway system came into operation on January 10, 1863. It linked London's mainline Paddington railroad terminus with Farringdon in the business district, still referred to as "the city." Stations along the route included two more mainline termini - Euston and St. Pancras. This first stretch of subway immediately provided commuters traveling between the three railroad termini and "the city" with a less stressful way to make the journey. The result was an immediate easing of pressure on the city's other forms of transport along this key route, such as horse drawn omnibuses and cabs.
By 1880, London's expanding subway network included all the city's main railroad termini. Then, as now, people traveling from southern to northern England, Wales or Scotland had to change from one terminus to another. By making use of what was then called the "Inner Circle" and is now the "Circle Line," they knew exactly how long this transfer process was going to take. They could travel between Victoria and Paddington or Euston without worrying about traffic jams. Certainty of journey times remains a major pro of subway travel across the globe in 2011.
London's subway immediately eased commuting for people who made their initial daily trip to the city on a railroad ending at one of the termini. However, as the subway pushed out to existing suburbs such as Wimbledon and Richmond, it allowed people to travel to stations within walking distance of their places of work, without having to use mainline rail services at all, so shortening journey times. In 2011, this remains a major pro for people living close to stations on the outer reaches of subway systems.
London's Metropolitan Railway as the first stretch of subway was known, passed through a station called "Baker Street." The company chose this as a point from which to extend northwards to Wembley, Harrow, Watford, Amersham and Uxbridge. By doing so it created the transport infrastructure for a network of suburbs which became known as "Metro-Land." The ease of commute offered by this subway line meant people moved in vast numbers from the inner city to these suburbs, where they enjoyed better housing and better air quality. Subways still provide people with the ability to live away from central urban areas.
Urban subway systems have provided the citizens of the cities in which they operate with a high level of mobility. The core of London's present system was in place by the early years of the 20th century, and provided ease of movement for more than just daily commuters. Housewives enjoyed new found freedoms. They could easily head "up to town" for shopping and lunch with their friends, and be home in time for their children returning from school. Culture, in the form of museums, theaters and concert halls became much more accessible. A century later, subway systems still provide these advantages.
The first U.S. city to enjoy the pros of subway transportation was Boston, where trains began running in 1897. It was followed by New York in 1904. As in London, a major advantage of these systems was an immediate reduction in street congestion. In 2011, this is still the major reason for subway construction. One of the latest cities to enjoy this benefit is Seville in Spain's Andalucia region. A system is currently under construction in the nearby coastal city of Malaga.
