Around the World by Subway: From Penn Station to Naples Metro and Stockholm’s Tunnelbana

The new Penn Station, a vital hub for New York public transportation, is back in motion. With a sudden yet not entirely unexpected decision, President Donald Trump has withdrawn the historic Manhattan train station’s redevelopment project from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and handed leadership over to Amtrak, the public rail company, with the support of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).

The $7 billion project, presented in 2021, was not progressing as planned, and the deteriorating condition of the current Penn Station had drawn criticism, even from Trump himself.

The turnaround, announced by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, brings two immediate strategic changes to revive this key infrastructure for New York City mobility. On one hand, the project can now benefit from federal funding; on the other, a public-private partnership model will be promoted to leverage private sector innovation and capital, reducing both financial risk and taxpayer burden.

The new Penn Station, originally proposed by former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and revised by current Governor Kathy Hochul, will feature a single-level structure of nearly 23,000 square meters, doubling passenger circulation space with 18 new escalators, 11 new elevators to platforms, new services and shops, expanded entrances from 12 to 20, and a new underground connection to the 34 St–Herald Sq. subway station.

A colossal train station, then, poised to reshape not just the flow of transportation, but the very face of Manhattan—much like the great subway stations around the world have done.

A subway station can redefine a city—both through its architectural presence and its role in urban transportation.

Just like New York’s Penn Station, many metro stations have left a lasting mark not only on the collective imagination but also on the everyday lives of billions.

If beauty is the measure, Moscow’s Komsomolskaya Station certainly deserves a place of honor. Opened in 1952, it resembles an imperial ballroom. Its designers intended it not just as a transport hub but also as a national monument. Even today, with 100,000 passengers daily, this Moscow metro station remains a landmark both for commuters and for those wishing to admire its splendor.

Like Moscow, Naples’ Toledo Station is also considered an underground museum. Built by the Webuild Group along with seven other “art stations” in the Campania capital, Toledo is a true work of contemporary art. Designed by Spanish architect Oscar Tusquets Blanca, this Naples metro station is adorned with blue lighting effects that evoke the sea and sky, earning numerous international awards for its beauty.

Stockholm’s Tunnelbana line is similarly inspired by contemporary art, with all its stations decorated by 150 artists. Each stop tells a chapter of a grand visual narrative, featuring mosaics, murals, sculptures, and installations that turn the Stockholm metro into a sensory journey.

Beyond aesthetics, major stations also stand out for their urban impact and strategic role as transport hubs. New York’s Grand Central Terminal is the beating heart of Manhattan. Although not exclusively a subway station, it’s a key node for trains and buses. Every day, hundreds of thousands move through its underground corridors, often pausing to glance at its iconic clock.

Even more than Grand Central, Shanghai’s People’s Square station showcases the power of a mega station to shape city mobility. Serving as a junction for three metro lines, it handles 700,000 passengers daily—making it the central artery of what is now the largest metro network in the world.

The latest challenge in urban architecture and engineering is now underway in central Rome’s Piazza Venezia, a true crossroads of the Eternal City surrounded by the Altare della Patria, Palazzo Venezia, Via del Corso, and Via dei Fori Imperiali.

Since June 2023, work has begun on what will become the world’s largest archaeological metro station, extending 40 meters underground across eight levels. Trains from Rome’s third metro line, Line C—already in operation with 22 completed stations and 19 kilometers of active tracks—will run through it.

The construction, led by the Metro C Consortium under Webuild and Vianini Lavori, involves opening and managing Europe’s largest archaeological excavation—a complex effort coordinated by archaeologists and the Scientific Operations Directorate of the Rome Superintendency.

The new subway station will be accessible from three sides of the square: from Palazzo Venezia, the Adriano Temple side, and the Vittoriano. Underground, everything will be connected via a large pedestrian path, allowing travelers to directly reach major tourist attractions while admiring the ancient artifacts unearthed and restored from Rome’s archeological sites.