These submerged subway innovations show how much public transportation has advanced over time.
Though perhaps not the most desirable means of getting around town, subways typically offer civilians an affordable way to get from point A to point B. With innovations in terms of marketing stunts, the design of the actual trains and the way in which these spaces have become somewhat of a showcase for art, there's no telling where the future of subways may lie. Many of these public transit systems exist throughout the world, and many variations exist, making them an interesting public service to contrast and compare.
Though perhaps not as reliable as some might expect, subways are an inevitable component to most large cities, and increasingly, are being used as hubs for innovation.
100 Submerged Subway Innovations
98
Living Paintings
Alexa Meade Brings Art Alive With Realistic Acrylic Body Paint
97
No Pants Subway Ride
900 Underground Underwear Enthusiasts in NYC
96
Subway Floodvertising
Brazilian Advertising Campaign for the Movie 2012 Fakes Subway Flood
95
Subway Art Museums
The Stockholm Metro Brings Culture to Public Transit Stations
94
Guerrilla Adbusting
Street Artists FTW-Crew Add Photoshop Toolbox to Subway Ads
93
Recycled Subway Spaces
Adam Kushner Uses Reclaimed Materials to Make an Epic Apartment
92
Naughty iPad Ads
Berlin iPad Adbusters Put Up a Scandalous Billboard in Rosenthaler Platz Subway
91
Subway Living Rooms
Paris Metro gets a Makeover, Courtesy of IKEA
90
Seductive Subway Spreads
The Vice Magazine 'Tubular Belles' Shoot is One Wild Ride
89
Awkward Transit Blogs
'Subway Douchery' Makes Taking the Subway Less Creepy
88
Submerged Subway Shoots
Stephen Mallon Documents the End of the Line in his Photography
87
Subway Courtesy Ads
The Japanese Etiquette Campaign Reminds You What Not to Do
86
Subway Cart Fashion Shoots
Alberta Ferretti Fall Campaign
85
Public Transit Furniture
'Subway Series' by 718 Made in Brooklyn Will Get You Places
84
Urban Subterranean Gardens
The LowLine Underground Park Hopes to Recapture the Past Futuristically
83
Suggestive Sizevertising
Burger King ‘Big Boner' Commercial
82
Sexist Subways
Women-Only Transit In Seoul
81
Deserted City Depictions
Roland Shainidze Captures Still Frames of Toronto Devoid of People
80
Interactive Transit Campaigns
Beer Can Subway Ads in Tehran Use Mugs as Safety Handles
79
Underground Ad Campaigns
Lay's Supports Local Potato Farming in Snack Food Production
78
Sassy Public Service Signs (UPDATE)
The Jay Shells 'Metropolitan Etiquette Authority' Hits NYC
77
Traveling Transit Captures
Appura Pai Uses Long-Exposure Photography While on the Subway
76
Transit Greenery
The Mobile Garden by Joe Baldwin Sweetens Chicago Air
75
Vintage Transit Prints
Flying Junction Brings Public Transportation to Your Home
74
iPhone Turnstiles
Tokyo Subway Entrance is Turned into a Gigantic iPhone Ad
73
Caped Crusader Commutes
Dean Gorissen Illustrates Superheroes Riding the Subway with Pedestrians
72
Space-Pod Taxis
The Vectus Personal Rapid Transit Takes You to Your Destination Comfortably
71
Surreal Subway Murals
Million Dollar Design Transforms Underground Transportation With Graffiti
70
Abandoned Subway Art
The Underbelly Project is a Secret NYC Gallery
69
Transport-Savvy Braille Watches
'Metro Dot' Helps the Visually Impaired Ride the Subway with Ease
68
Subway Station Name Changes
The Torontoist Pokes Fun at the Possible TTC Subway Stop Naming Rights
67
In-Store Farm Factories
Subway Japan Goes Fresh by Growing Lettuce On the Spot
66
Subway Slides
HIK Ontwerpers Gives City Commuters a Post-Transit Thrill
65
Viral Dutch Beauty Ad
Nivea Targets Metrosexuals
64
Track-Tweaking Apps
The triqtraq Jam Sequencer Enables Mixing Music Professionally on Your Mobile
63
Musical Subway Stairs
Piano Stairs Encourage People to Get Some Exercise
62
Wickedly Winding Transport Rails
The West Kowloon Terminus Connects Hong Kong and Beijing
61
Declarative Statement Posters
'Wish Want Need Do Die' by Eric Gorvin Gives Orders
60
Energy-Generating Subway Station Floors
East Japan Railway Harvests Power from Commuters
59
Mini Urban Sculptures
Alan Wolfson Recreates Canal ST. Cross-Section With Mind-Boggling Detail
58
Parisian Protest Posters
Activists Take Over Subway Billboards in Paris, France
57
Subway Hoedowns
The Xylopholks Entertain New Yorkers In Furry Animal Costumes
56
Spoiler Alert Subway Signs
Jason Eppink Preserves the Mystery of the NYC Subway System
55
Paper Subway Imitations
The Architectural Model Accessories Series Shrinks the NYC Metro
54
Retro Transit Makeovers
The 'Compliments of Nucky' Puts a '20s Twist on the NYC Subway System
53
Ceiling-Mounted Subway Maps
GPS System Pinpoints Location on Subway Car Ceilings
52
Banksy-Inspired Ads
This IKEA Street Art is Reminiscent of the Anonymous Artists
51
Cute Commuter Caricatures
The Toronto Subway Sketch Group Practises Illustration on Trains
50
Historic Ritzy Railcars
This 1935 NYC Subway Car is Up for Grabs for Someone With Deep Pockets
49
Public Urination Solutions
The Wheelie Bin Urinal Provides Designated Area to Relieve Oneself
48
Virtual Subway Supermarkets
Homeplus Uses Clever Marketing Campaign to Become Number One
47
Impromptu Playgrounds
San Franciso Pranksters Install Swings on BART Trains
46
Subway Cars as Art Studios
The Village Underground
45
Deadly Train Games
Teens Take Up "Metro Surfing" for Daredevil Thrills on Moscow Subway Line
44
Pedestrian Tripping Compilations
Dean Peterson Makes a Short Film About an Accident Prone Subway
43
Subway Street Art
The Take a Seat Project
42
Globe-Trotting Tarpaulins
The Izola Map Shower Curtain Will Make Your Bathroom Charted Territory
41
Recycled Transit Card Mosaics
The Nina Boesch Metro Card Project Reimagines New York
40
Metropolis Time-Lapse Shorts
Toronto Tempo by Ryan Emond Speeds up the City
39
Subway-Crashing Cows
'Join the MOOvement' Proves that Cows are People Too
38
Automobile-Inspired Trains
Warsaw Unveils Their New BMW Subway Cars
37
Subway Web Surfing
WiFi Rail Makes Deal with BART for Underground Internet Access
36
Foldable and Stackable City Car Concept
35
Wiener Subway Maps
Michael Hertz's Re-Designed Map Isn't Well Endowed
34
Subway Ticket Art
138,000 Tickets Converted Into Astro Boy Pixel Art
33
Stylish Subway Entrances
Toulouse, France Introduces Modern Art to Public Transit
32
Suctioning Subway Stations
The Quicksand-Like Monte St Angelo Station in Naples
31
Transit Map Jewelry
NYC Metro Cuffs Make Navigating the Big Apple Easy
30
Foldable Digital Newspapers
The Page E-Reader Will Make Paper Old News
29
Reading Urbanite Subway Riders
The Underground New York Public Library Is A Visual Catalog Of Comm
28
Public Transit Compasses
New York Subway Compasses Help Orient Confused Travelers
27
Levitating Bicycles
Remote-Controlled Wall Mounted Bike Locks Discourage Thieves
26
Subway Finder Apps
Acrossair Pinpoints the Location of the London Tube for iPhone
25
Suspended Model Spreads
The Vice Style ‘Hanging Around' Editorial is Alluring
24
Architectural Culture Hubs
Shenzhen Creative Centre Embraces Urbanity & Open Space
23
Anatomical Subway Maps
Sam Loman Reimagines the Human Body
22
Spooky Subway Rides
The Yokai Train is Part Public Transportation, Part Haunted House
21
Geometric Subway Ceilings
Hoshakuji Station in Japan Uses Plywood for Eye-Pleasing Details
20
Underground Art Galleries
The Platform at Degrave Street Subway Station
19
Mass Transit Gas Masks
'Sub-Resk' Turns Subway Handles into Life-Saving Oxygen Masks
18
Subway Stations Get Mobile Service
NYC Tunnel Talk
17
Rabbit Hole Navigation Gear
The Alice in Wonderland Subway Map is Inspired by the Classic Story
16
Star Wars Subway Attacks
Improv Everywhere Star Wars Video Stages a Galactic Takeover on the Metro
15
Subterranean Subway Art
Tracy Fitzpatrick's Virtual Tour of Art & Design in The NYC Subway
14
8-Bit Subway Adventures
'Ride the Better Way' Turns Toronto's Public Transit Into a Game
13
Literature Subway Illustrations
'Literary Journeys' by Owen Smith are Paintings of Stories
12
Metro Monsters
Alex Andreyev Shows the Life of Insects & Critters on the Subway
11
Spoof Pick-Up Strategies
Craigslist 'Missed Connections' Stars 30 Rock and The Office Characters
10
Kiddie Straphangers
The Cowacca Strap for the Child Who Can't Quite Reach
9
Subway Skirts
The NYC Map Dress is Fashionable and Direction-Friendly
8
Subway Stop Touchscreens
The MTA in New York Introduces the 'On the Go! Travel Station'
7
Railroad Musicals
Alexander Chen Turns the New York Subway System into an Instrument
6
Emergency Subway Lights
The Detachable Handle Light Makes for a Safer and Calmer Train Evacuation
5
Subway Ticket Portraits
Parisian Metro Artist Luc Grateau
4
Subaqueous Subway Art
Imaginary Creatures from Illustrated Thoughts Hits the TTC
3
Power-Generating Subway Stops
Energy from Train Brakes to Fuel Philadelphia Grid
2
Stitched Subway Systems
Tomofumi Yoshida Sews a Public Transit Map into an Arduino Mega Shield
1
Exposing Subway Projects
The Toronto ‘Confessions Underground’ Development is Liberati
Related Ideas
Multifunctional Transport Buses
The Bubblic Public Imagines the Future of Public Transit
Posh Pill-Shaped Smartphones
The Nokia Infinity Pro Concept Has an Elegant Form and Function
Autonomous Vehicle Coffee Makers
The 'DOTS' Vehicle Coffee Machine by Junseo Oh is Compact
AI-Generated Real-World Transformations
AI-Artist Who Gives a Unique Design to Real Objects
Automated Vertical Car Parks
Daniel Statham Studio Designs the Future Car Park in China
Tech-Infused Analog Radios
Mark Choi Blends Retro Aesthetics and Modern Technology with i Ready O
Hotel Room Vehicle Designs
The Mercedes x Belmond Vision Pullman Express is a Hotel on Wheels
Impairment-Aiding Navigation Apps
The Commute Booster App is Made to Help the Visually Impaired
Water-Ready Sports Car Concepts
The Citroën Above and Under by Sangheon Chung is Transformative
BYO Bottle Drink Stations
The Refilled Refiller Stations Eliminate Single-Use Packaging
Extreme Space-Saving Architecture
A 74-Square-Foot Apartment is Redefining Urban Living
Transit Accessibility-Focused Digital Guides
Metrolinx Debuts Six Digital Guides on MagnusCards
Deep Focus Desktop Displays
The Conceptual 'SINK' Tabletop Stopwatch is Smartphone-Powered
Kid-Envisioned Urban Environments
The Little Big Playmat Takes a Creative Path to Design Problems
Accessible Train Fleet Designs
VIA Rail Canada Has Introduced a Cutting-Edge Fleet of Trains
Relaxing Airplane Seat Designs
The Tranquil Airlines Seating Technology Has a Rocking Mechanism
Elegantly Modernized Fountain Pens
The TaG Submarine Collection Pens Come in Two Options
Globally Inspired Sandwich Menus
Subway Canada Has Introduced Four New Globally Inspired Subs
Transforming Bullet Train Toys
In Japan, McDonald’s Happy Meals Now Come with Shinkalion Toys
Cross-Country Beer Trains
The Coors Light Chill Train Invites Passengers Aboard with CGI
Customizable Breakfast Sandwiches
Subway Canada Launches 4” Breakfast Sandwiches and Snackwiches
Cooling Bus Shelter Designs
EMT Madrid Spearheads the Quest for Comfortable Public Transportation
Rejuvenated Chinese Train Stations
MAD Architects Breathed New Life Into a Century-Old Station
Solar-Powered Rail Bus Systems
The RTA in Dubai Presents Plans for Floc Duo Rail System
Pasta Box Tickets
Barilla Turned Pasta Boxes into "Togetherness Tickets" on World Pasta Day
AI-Powered Storytelling Travel Apps
Journi is an App for Tour Guides to Share Exciting Narratives
Racer-Inspired City Car Concepts
The Nissan Concept 20-23 is Imagined as the Perfect City Car
Autonomous Interactive Shuttle Buses
The Coach Atoz Shuttle Bus by Disegno T9 is Communicative
Spicy Nacho-Inspired Sandwiches
Subway is Serving Up New Spicy Nacho Steak & Fiery Meatball Subs
Virtual Pub Museums
Heineken Pub Museums Spotlight Important Cultural Locations
Renovated Compact Loft Apartments
Metre Architects' Vessel Project Renovates a Small Space
Audio Guide Tourism Apps
Tourly Uses AI and Audio to Make Every Landmark Speak
Inventive Retail Strategies
H&M is Working to Localize Its Shopping Experience
QSR Sandwich Sauce Ranges
Subway Sauces Bring the Brand's Condiments to the Kitchen
Integrated Transportation Centers
The Jinjialing Overpass Underground Transportation Center Opens
Artfully DIY-Wrapped Minibuses
Volkswagen Presents the All-Electric ID.Buzz Microbus
Motion Sickness Smartphone Features
Apple Vehicle Motion Cues Will Arrive in iOS 18
Accessibility-Focused Navigation Apps
The Atlas App is a Community-Driven Solution
Inflation-Fighting Mini Subs
Subway Just Added a New 3-Inch Mini Sub Option in Pakistan
Children's Food-Insecurity Campaigns
Subway's Never Miss A Lunch Campaign Is Set to Relaunch
Swimming Pool-Inspired Venues
Swim Club in Austin, Texas Features Submarine Views
Subterranean Garden Installations
Tideway is Bringing Attention to the Thames Tideway Tunnel
Visual Museum Campaigns
MoMA’s New Museum Campaign Transforms NYC into an Art Lover’s Paradise
Immersive Virtual Television Experiences
Television for Apple Vision Shapes the Future of TV
Name Change QSR Promotions
The Subway Name Change Promotion Rewards Consumers Who Change Names
Weekend Excursion City Vehicles
The Playbox Urban Mobility Vehicle is Imagined for 2040
IoT-Connected Traffic Beacons
This Traffic Beacon Concept Changes According to Needs
Refreshed Sandwich Rewards Programs
Subway MVP Rewards is Coming to the US, Canada and Puerto Rico
Underwater Modern Pool Cleaners
Sublue Designs the BlueNexus with Premium Submersed Technology
Interactive Menu Games
Subway Launches the Super-Sized Sweeps for its MVP Rewards
Digital Map AI Enhancements
Google Maps Update Brings AI-Powered Exploration Tools
Turtle-Inspired Sleek Automobiles
Mercedes Benz Presents a Look at the Vision iMobility
Waste Tarp-Made Public Seating
The Membran Collective Joins the Urban Networks Project
Minimizing Phone Usage Initiatives
Heineken's Latest Campaign Addresses Phone Use at Music Events
Digital City-Inspired Art Works
New Digital Art is on Display in Grand Central Station
Plant-Based QSR Sandwiches
Subway® Reveals its New Plant-Based Sub, the Plant Picante
Chicagoan Chatbot Services
This Chatbot Helps Users Navigate Chicago's Public Transit System
Spatial Storytelling Films
The Apple Immersive Submerged Trailer Teases Next-Gen Video Tech
Feature-Rich Airport Apps
The 'byAir' App Offers Indoor Maps, Transport Options and More
QSR Blimp Restaurant Experiences
The Subway in the Sky Promotion Will Arrive in Four Locations
Comprehensive Travel Navigation Apps
Destination App Integrates Information from Over 800 Sources
Italian Rooftop Restaurants
Public Gardens in Toronto Offers a NYC-Inspired Oasis
Car-Free AR Lenses
Bolt's Feels Like Home Campaign Uses AR to Envision Car-Free Spaces
Updated Sustainable API Features
Google Adds New Features to its Ingenious Project Sunroof
Vegetarian-Promoting Game Events
The 'Veggie Hunt' Event in Subway Surfers Promotes Veggies
Extra-Cheesy Seasonal Sandwiches
The Subway V.I.Brie SubMelt® is Arriving in the UK
Employee-Facing Automation Technology
Starbucks' Siren Craft System Improves Customer Service
AI-Powered CCTV Systems
Amazon Unveils a New Emotion-Detecting AI Software for Train Passengers
Retail Food Preparation Stations
Urban Eat Debuts a Smart Retail Solution for its Food-to-Go Range
AI-Powered Beverage Dispensers
Pubinno Smart Tap Provides Perfect Quality for Draft Beer Systems
Underground Station Expansions
Foster + Partners Introduces Two Stations on the Sydney Metro
Ghost Pepper Sub Sandwiches
Subway Unveils a Spicy Ghost Pepper Addition to its Main Menu
Hyper-Local Gym Ads
GymBox's Made for London Life Ads Juxtapose City Living and Gym-Going
Ad-Free Gaming Platforms
Subscrible's Latest Gaming Platform is Available on Mobile Devices
Sandwich-Inspired Water Slides
Subway Transformed Footlong Dippers Into 95-Foot-Long Dip 'N Slides
AI-Enhanced Map Softwares
Google Maps Announced a Suite of AI-Powered Enhancements Coming to Maps
Repurposed Waste Transit Tiles
Jeffrey Miller Creates Riles for the London Underground
Repurposed Train Carriage Experiences
Supperclub.tube Presents a Unique Six-Course Dining Event
Shareable Appetizer Buckets
Subway Debuted Pigs in Blankets Sharing Bucket for the Holidays
Redesigned Unifying Transit Terminals
Foster + Partners Renovates the NY Midtown Bus Terminal
New York Structural Designs
Quarters is Unveiled as the Latest New York Symbol Building
UAE-Based Smart Taxis
UAE Residents Will Be Able to Call AI Smart Taxis Thanks to Hyundai
On-Demand Electric Boat Taxis
Bangkok's Electric Boat Taxi Commenced Service in July
Real-Time Subway Map Apps
The Weekendest Offers a Comprehensive View of the NYC Subway System
Accesible Autonomous Transportation Services
The 'Nubit' Autonomous Mobility Service is Modular
Checkout-Free Convenience Systems
7-Eleven Australia Integrates a Checkout-Free Shopping System
Recycled Phonecase Art Installations
Casetify Creates Public Displays for Journey to Re/Birth
Electric Cargo Bike-Sharing Programs
CargoB Launched in Boston as USA's First Cargo Bikeshare
Sustainable Travel Methods
Intrepid Unveils a Sustainable Travel Service to Incentivize Rail Usage
Swirled Public Art Installations
FreelandBuck Designs the Tunnel Vision Installation
Peformance-Enhancing Taxi Apps
Ajman Transport Authority Debuts a 'Cabby' Application for Taxis
Subway-Lined Waved Panels
Ateneo Used 3D Tech to Form Sculptural Walls Around Wuyuanwan Station
Unified Subscription Management Apps
The 'SubX' Subscription Manager Supports Over 1,000 Services
Regional Seafood Subs
Subway Singapore Launches its Chili Crab Sub for a Limited Time
Accessible Driverless Public Buses
Treasure Island Rolls Out the Loop Program in San Francisco
Rebuilt Historic Train Stations
MAD Introduces the Train Station in the Forest in China
Vibrant Public Art Installations
Rico Gatson's Installation Brings Life to Penn Station
AI Navigation Upgrades
Tmap Mobility Launches an AI-Powered Revamp for its Navigation App
Photo-Organizing Apps
Journeys Simplifies the Process of Organizing One's Photos
Modern Museum Versatile Cafes
Tate Modern Unveils a Corner Cafe Designed by Holland Harvey
Updated Map-Navigation Apps
The Waze App is Implementing a Slew of New Updated Features
Theme Park Line Assessments
AllTheLines Uses AI to Optimize the Visitor Experience at Theme Parks
Social Trip-Planning Apps
TripMap Makes Trip Planning Easier with Expense Tracking and More
Latticed-Steel Transport Hub Columns
Tremend Designs the Metropolitan Station in Lublin
Hyper-Fast Charging Stations
New York City's Latest EV Charging Supercenter is Powered by Gravity
AI Transport Technologies
ADLINK Reveals Three New Products for the Railway Industry
Event Shuttle Rideshare Services
Uber Shuttle is Targeted Towards Sporting Events and Concerts
User-Generated Toronto Baseball Ads
GO Transit Celebrates Toronto Blue Jays with Fan-Created Ads
Crowdsourced Restroom Code Maps
Privy.NYC Offers Codes to Public Bathrooms in New York City
Online Virtual Station Tours
Greater Anglia Launched an Online Virtual Tour of Marks Tey Station
Reimagined Impressionist Paintings
AT&T Partners with Smartify to Highlight 5G Technology and AR
Self-Defence Tubular Inflatable Chairs
Pneuhaus' Street Seats are Outdoor Chairs for Protests
Curated Flight Deal Apps
The Going App Offers Expert and Personalized Travel Deals
City Exploration Apps
Concrete is a Social Exploration App Inviting Users to Discover Their City
Sight-Seeing Hot Tubs
Chicago Electric Boat Company Added 6-Person Floating Hot Tubs to Its Fleet
Subway Pizza Deliveries
Pizza Hut x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Offers Underground Delivery
Branded Math Challenges
Subway® Canada's Math Challenge Helps Basketball Fans Win Big
Accessible Floating Public Pools
+ POOL Can Be Utilized in Bodies of Water Around the City
Design Service Launch Exhibitions
The Public Records Exhibition Marks a New Design Service
AI Travel Guide Apps
DocentPro Offers Insights and Stories of Nearby Attractions and Sites
AI-Powered Transit Services
Hayden AI Aims to Improve Transit Safety with Artificial Intelligence
Smartphone-Fuelled Stopwatch Concepts
The SINK Concept is a Smartphone-Powered Device
Public Bathroom Location Apps
The Bathroom App Helps People in Need of Relief
Barrel Vault-Topped Metro Stations
KA Architecture Studio Designs the Jahad Metro Plaza
Taxi Round-Trip Services
Uber Unveils the Intercity Round Trips Feature for Indian Travelers
Smart Transit Solutions
NEXCOM is Unveiling a New Mobility System for Public Transit at APTA 2023
Train-Specific Digital Ticketing Platforms
Save a Train Revolutionizes Global Rail Travel
Accessible Ride App Safety-Tools
Uber is Altering its App for The Safety Tools in One Place
Otherworldly Sandwich Delivery Promotions
Subway Ultimate Footlong Offering Marks World UFO Day
Premium QSR Deli Sandwiches
Subway Introduces the New 'Deli Heroes' Sub Collection
In-App Subscription-Canceling Features
Mastercard and Subaio Streamline Subscription-Canceling
Archaeological Protection Initiatives
The Remains of the Curtain Playhouse are Uncovered in London
Knitted New York Subways
The Straphangers Lounge Recreates the New York Subway with Crochet
Country-Wide QSR Rewards Campaigns
Subway The Great Canadian Challenge Offers Rewards Points
Comprehensive Restaurant Overview Apps
Toast Debuts a Digital App to Manage Restaurant Operations
Unique Urban Event Hires
London is Renting Tube Stations, Cable Cars, and Piers for Private Hire
Artfully Designed Train Stations
Design Studio MAD Creates its First Train Station in Beijing
Belize-Based Sustainable Transportation
Belize City to Launch the Eco-Friendly eRIDE Taxi Pilot
Waterway-Tracking Travel Apps
Kreuzungen Helps You Identify The Rivers You Crossed on Your Journey
In-Neighbourhood Service Maps
TROT KIT Helps Nomads Find Services Where They Are