Take A Look At Why The Tokyo Metro Is Known As 'Commuter Hell'

The term for riding the subway in Tokyo — tsukin jigoku — translates literally as commuter hell.A familiar sight to any Japanese commuter is the vision of smushed faces against window glass, as uniformed attendants push men, women and children alike into the packed metro in order to keep the trains moving.This overcrowded transportation system carries 8.7 million riders daily, making it the busiest metro in the world.The Greater Tokyo Area has an estimated population of roughly 32.5 million people, making it the largest metropolitan area in the world.Source: City Futures ConferenceMuch of Tokyo was designed without automobiles in mind; the city's auto ownership rate only reached America's 1930s levels in the 1980s.Source: Urban Transport Fact BookInstead, the residents of Tokyo rely overwhelmingly on public transportation: almost 57 percent of all travel in Tokyo is done on trains and buses. Source: Urban Transport Fact BookSee the rest of the story at Business InsiderPlease follow Getting There on Twitter and Facebook.See Also:911: 50 Years In The Evolution Of Porsche's Iconic Sports CarYACHT OF THE WEEK: This Incredible Multimillion Dollar Superyacht's Design Stands Out From Anything Else On The WaterThis Unassuming California Junkyard Contains A Hidden Collection Of Incredible Cars

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