Mass Transit, a month later... what do you think?

[Fox_NS_CAN]

It's been out a month now, and I was just wondering what people think in general about it.

I really like some of the new tools and content.

I really have not done much with cable cars and monorails or blimps yet, although I do intend to eventually (I did the ferry scenario first, also spent a bit of time on the wiki, so I have not put in as many hours as I would like so far).

+ I wanted the Ferries, and I like them.
- I do think they should not turn around (they appear to have dual bridges), and should have been modeled a little smaller. Capacity is 50, and looks like it could hold 500.

+ I love the multi-track train station
- Being that huge limits its use. I wish it had also come with a two track and 3 or 4 track variation, and a rural small one track station.

- Really wish the metro had gotten some new stuff. (Multi-track stations in particular!)

+ Unbunching, street names, road layout tools, new roads, bridges. Yay!
- Could use more bridges.

- Achievements: should have thrown in one for each scenario as well as the one for winning all three. (Should have that for ND as well!)

- Really wish road arrow controls had been added.

Although I was disappointed about a few things, I am quite happy with it overall. It is my favourite DLC now, even though I have barely scratched the surface of the content so far.

So what do the rest of you think?

 

[Promethian]

The tool for controlling how many vehicles are on individual MT lines is my personal favorite change.

The monorail with the hybrid stations are also absurdly useful.

 

[Fox_NS_CAN]

The tool for controlling how many vehicles are on individual MT lines is my personal favorite change.

I forgot about that one... I like it too!

 

[muttonnoir]

Agree with the majority of points made. Wish CO had developed the metro system- the multi track rail stations would be better served with a multi track metro station, creating a transport hub

 

[metacritical]

the multiplatform train station should have more than one metro station included. i have thus far struggled to use more than four of its platforms since with the monorail there is less reason to use trains, plus the rail laying system is messy. as already mentioned i would have liked to be able to chose how many platforms i need like in Transport Fever, rather than getting a huge 6 platform station. the monorail, train, metro combination station is probably the best addition to the game. i like the priority road system.

 

[TheDeamon]

I wish the multi-platform stations had smaller versions available, such as 2 or 3 line variants for "hub" type scenarios.

Also on that note, it would have been nice to see a metro + bus combination for a small station that could take on 2 or more buses and be a metro stop in the same go. (have it "loop" around the metro access as a 2 or 3 bus at a time station? entry/"top"/exit)

Multi-platform metro is a bit meh, there are ways to manipulate that to some extent as it is because of its small footprint(build across the street/next street over), but can't say I'd be hostile to two additional "dual track" metro options. Be it the parallel multi-track option, or the "X" type station with the cross-track going over/under the other one. (Washington DC has at least one such station I remember passing through) Which I guess also opens up the matter of possibly having "deeper" metro stations and/or one with track perpendicular to the road rather than parallel. Of course, some of this might be possible in the asset editor, never messed with it so don't know what can be done without also invoking a mod(or developer involvement) in order to make it work.

 

[Fox_NS_CAN]

Multi-platform metro is a bit meh, there are ways to manipulate that to some extent as it is because of its small footprint(build across the street/next street over), but can't say I'd be hostile to two additional "dual track" metro options. Be it the parallel multi-track option, or the "X" type station with the cross-track going over/under the other one. (Washington DC has at least one such station I remember passing through) Which I guess also opens up the matter of possibly having "deeper" metro stations and/or one with track perpendicular to the road rather than parallel.

This is what I envision for multi-track metro:

Two track sets in terminals shaped like "II" and "X". Parallel on same level, and cross on different level.

Four track sets in a terminal shaped like "#". Two parallel "II" on one level, and two more parallel "=" on another level, 90° to the first pair.

Also, in a single track station we currently have "-", parallel to the road. How about "/" and "\" angled 45° to the road? And "I", perpendicular to the road?

And last but not least, be able to connect a pedestrian walkway to the terminals underground. (Surface to terminal, or terminal to terminal.)

Might be a lot to ask, but I would really like it. I use metro a lot, and awkward curves to match up to the station connected to the road can be a pain. Also tons of pedestrians pouring across the street is not ideal, though cool looking at times.

 

[TheDeamon]

And last but not least, be able to connect a pedestrian walkway to the terminals underground. (Surface to terminal, or terminal to terminal.)

Might be a lot to ask, but I would really like it. I use metro a lot, and awkward curves to match up to the station connected to the road can be a pain. Also tons of pedestrians pouring across the street is not ideal, though cool looking at times.

Also not without precedent. Washington DC has metro stops with exits onto more than one street. Other cities have even gone further than that with the Canadians having some of the more extreme examples.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underground_city

Of course, going that route, that could almost be a DLC by itself. Given that some of the examples aren't entirely underground, such as Calgary, Alberta or Duluth, Minnesota which both both employ a series of "skyways" between buildings and across streets often on either the 2nd or 3rd floor, if not more.

 

[Fox_NS_CAN]

I'm closest to the Halifax one, but have never been in it as far as I can recall. Would be quite beneficial in the snowy months, and in the hottest months as well.

 

[Beer Fiend]

I still think this DLC is pretty great, haven't really touched Monorails (as my plan for them in my city wouldn't really work, damn lack of integration with other DLCs!), but I have had a play around with ferries and blimps, light touch on cable cars too and I find them fun to have around.

As hinted at, I would have liked some integration with the trams from Snowfall, like with the Metro, they're very neglected and it's sad.

 

[metacritical]

since the monorail i now no longer even bother with trams. they're just better in every way

 

[Beer Fiend]

since the monorail i now no longer even bother with trams. they're just better in every way

Living in a city with an extensive tram network has probably made me biased.

 

[vukica]

I wish I had more time to play C:S

 

[blackdragonbird]

Have to say that the DLC is very good.

Only complain is the lack of control of the lane connections in highways and streets. Without it small roundabouts are a total mess and useless.

 

[meltedping]

I have not used blimps, dont like them. cabel-car can be very effecient. the multi-track train station, good idea but for the city I build atm its too huge. would also see some multi track station metro, that would help alot. For traffic I felt that TMPe mod was still needed.

 

[lordbob5]

I have not used blimps, dont like them. cabel-car can be very effecient. the multi-track train station, good idea but for the city I build atm its too huge. would also see some multi track station metro, that would help alot. For traffic I felt that TMPe mod was still needed.

How is the Traffic mod still needed? Just curious.

I've been playing with TMPe for months upon months in the same city I've had since I bought the game when it first came out. It's not even that big (80k pop) but with so many mods being swapped in and out over the years i'm surprised i can still play it..

Back to the topic..;
I haven't purchased MT yet so I was just wondering how much the traffic has generally improved. a lot of peeps have reported there has been some good progress. I didn't see any Network Extension mod inclusions to the official patch list. I'm starting to forget whether or not bus lanes are vanilla now or are still required by mods. I have a few bus/emergency service lanes only to give emergency vehicles quick shortcuts around my city and thankfully it has never broken. (even when I put them down when probably using Traffic++ over a year ago.)

 

[metacritical]

bus lanes were included with After Dark. the ones in Network Extensions 2 only work if you use Traffic++V2 as well.

Mass Transit traffic improvements were largely included with the free patch. monorails are essential in my cities now though, largely at the expense of trams

 

[EricTheGreat12]

I have not used blimps, dont like them. cabel-car can be very effecient. For traffic I felt that TMPe mod was still needed.

Agree with the blimps, although I never use the cable cars they would seem useful in certain areas and situations. TMP mod is excellent; putting vehicle restrictions on roads of your choosing is definitely a favourite of mine as well as the implementation of the main roads and yield signs. Mix it in with Network Extensions and you've got one hell of a game.

I didn't see any Network Extension mod inclusions to the official patch list. I'm starting to forget whether or not bus lanes are vanilla now or are still required by mods. I have a few bus/emergency service lanes only to give emergency vehicles quick shortcuts around my city and thankfully it has never broken. (even when I put them down when probably using Traffic++ over a year ago.)

bus lanes were included with After Dark. the ones in Network Extensions 2 only work if you use Traffic++V2 as well.

Proper bus only lanes have not been implemented, no. If a car needs to use the bus/taxi lane it will use it. It doesn't make sense how TMP mod is able to do it with or without Network Extensions, yet the game struggles to do so properly.

On the DLC, it was nice to see more options, I just feel that more content could have been added considering how much transportation related content has been created by the community.

I'm just hoping for the implementation of MetrolOverhaul, TMP and NE will all be put into the base game some day....

 

[sprites]

how do you make priorities and yield to certain intersections? is that part of the free patch? i can do without blimps until a sale but those are kinda annoying to not have.

 

[metacritical]

Everything in this thread came with the free patch