Cities around the world are changing the way people travel, and the shift has been building for years. Growing populations, increasing pollution concerns, and rapid advances in technology have encouraged urban areas to move away from car-centered systems and toward cleaner, smarter transportation networks. The cities making the biggest progress are not simply adding more buses or trains — they are creating connected systems where rail, cycling, walking, and public transit work together smoothly.

The gap between an average transit city and an outstanding one is not always clear from statistics alone. The real measure is whether residents can live comfortably without depending on a private vehicle. Reliable schedules, reasonable prices, and convenient connections between different transport options are what make people choose public transportation over driving.

These five cities have made impressive progress in building more efficient, sustainable, and people-friendly transportation systems as they move into 2025.

Chengdu, China: Transforming a Huge City Through an Expansive Greenway System

Chengdu is taking on an ambitious urban transformation project that is difficult to imagine at such a large scale. The Chinese city is developing one of the world’s largest greenway networks, with more than 20,000 kilometers of paths designed for walking and cycling across residential areas, business zones, and industrial neighborhoods.

This project is not simply about creating pleasant recreational spaces. The goal is to make walking and cycling practical choices for everyday transportation for millions of residents. By integrating these green routes into the city’s infrastructure, Chengdu is gradually changing how people move around and reducing dependence on automobiles.

Hong Kong: Combining World-Class Transit With Cleaner Transportation Options

Hong Kong has maintained one of the most efficient public transportation systems in the world for many years. Its extensive rail network, frequent services, and affordable fares allow many residents to travel throughout the city without owning a car.

The city is now expanding its focus by encouraging electric vehicle adoption for journeys that cannot easily be completed through public transit. By combining a highly developed transportation network with cleaner mobility solutions, Hong Kong is creating a more sustainable urban travel model that is already becoming part of daily life.

Oslo, Norway: Creating a Seamless Connection Between Transit and Active Travel

Oslo has spent years reducing the role of cars in its central areas while improving alternatives such as public transportation, cycling routes, and pedestrian spaces. The result is a city where different forms of travel support one another instead of competing.

One example of Oslo’s practical approach is allowing bicycles on buses and trams. This small but meaningful feature makes mixed journeys much easier, allowing residents to cycle part of the way and continue by public transport when needed. For many people living in central Oslo, owning a car is no longer a necessity.

Paris, France: Using Multiple Transport Choices to Keep the City Connected

Paris has long relied on its extensive metro and bus networks to move millions of people every day. However, the city’s modern transportation strength comes from the additional options built around its traditional systems.

Shared bicycles, electric scooters, and other short-distance mobility services help solve the challenge of reaching destinations beyond train and bus stations. Because these choices are affordable and widely available, many residents can travel across the city easily without needing a private vehicle. While transportation quality differs between neighborhoods, convenient alternatives are available throughout much of Paris.

Stockholm, Sweden: Combining Electric Mobility, Public Transit, and Environmental Goals

Stockholm has taken a long-term approach to creating a cleaner transportation future. The city has been steadily working toward reducing emissions by improving public transportation, supporting electric vehicles, and connecting mobility planning with renewable energy goals.

The full impact of these efforts will continue developing over time, but the overall direction is clear. Stockholm is not only focused on making transportation faster or more convenient — it is working toward a future where urban movement is efficient, sustainable, and better suited for people and the environment.