Taipei Tops Global Public Transport Quality Rankings; Sofia Named Europe’s Best City for 2027 Travel

Global Leaders in Public Transportation Quality

According to УНІАН — Туризм: Based on a survey of 24,000 local residents, Taipei has been recognized as the world’s best city for public transportation quality. The ranking evaluated 20 cities worldwide, focusing on the performance and infrastructure of metros, buses, and trams. An impressive 95% of Taipei’s residents rated their transit system as either 'good' or 'excellent.' In 2025, Taipei’s MRT metro system served over 767 million passengers, averaging nearly 2.1 million daily riders. The city also offers the EasyCard, a versatile payment method accepted on metros, buses, and YouBike bike rentals.

Highlights from Other Top Cities

Singapore claimed second place, with 93.5% of locals giving positive feedback on their public transit. The city’s extensive metro network, comprising 146 stations, handles around 3.5 million trips daily. According to Singapore’s Land Transport Authority, approximately 99.4% of trains ran on schedule in 2025. Additionally, three new stations-Keppel, Cantonment, and Prince Edward Road-opened in July 2026, completing the Circle Line loop.

Hong Kong secured third place, boasting a remarkable 99.9% on-time rate for trips on its core rail network in 2025. The city’s public transit system accommodated nearly 2 billion journeys that year, with payments facilitated by the widely used Octopus card, accepted across multiple transport modes. Edinburgh ranked fourth, where Lothian Buses carried 119 million passengers and trams transported 12.5 million riders in 2025.

• 5th: Seoul, South Korea
• 6th: Zurich, Switzerland
• 7th: Vienna, Austria
• 8th: Tallinn, Estonia
• 9th: Helsinki, Finland
• 10th: Medellín, Colombia

The next ten cities in the ranking include Shanghai, Warsaw, Osaka, Stockholm, Jakarta, Riyadh, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Vancouver, and Oslo.

In a related development, Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, was named the top European city for short trips in the 2027 European Best Destinations ranking. Róisín Tilling commented,

“Thanks to spotless station cleanliness, clearly marked queue lines on platforms, and trains that consistently arrive on time, Taipei’s metro system earned widespread praise from its residents.”

This ranking highlights how robust and reliable public transportation infrastructure plays a crucial role in enhancing urban quality of life. Cities that rank highly demonstrate that investing in transit systems not only boosts resident satisfaction but also helps reduce road congestion. Taipei, Singapore, and Hong Kong exemplify effective transport management models that other cities globally can learn from.

The recognition of Taipei as the top city for public transport quality highlights the increasing importance of efficient transit systems in urban environments. As cities strive to enhance their travel appeal, Sofia's emerging status as Europe's prime destination for short trips in 2027 further emphasizes the global trend towards prioritizing sustainable and effective public transportation solutions.