Cities Skylines 2 Underground Metro Guide

Developing a robust public transportation system is essential for managing traffic congestion and supporting population growth in Cities Skylines 2. Among the various options, underground metros stand out for their ability to operate beneath surface streets and buildings, preserving precious urban space while providing high-capacity transit solutions. This guide explores the complete process of creating an underground metro network, from initial setup to advanced configurations, ensuring your city runs smoothly.

Why Prioritize Underground Metros?

Underground metros excel in densely populated areas where surface roads are already crowded. They allow trains to travel directly under existing infrastructure, avoiding disruptions to roads, buildings, or pedestrian paths. This approach minimizes land use conflicts and enables strategic station placements near high-demand zones like commercial districts and residential neighborhoods.

Key benefits include higher passenger throughput compared to buses or surface trams, reduced visual clutter, and the potential for multi-level networks where tracks at different depths cross without interference. Players often unlock metro tools after reaching certain milestones, making them a mid-to-late game feature ideal for cities exceeding 50,000 residents.

Unlocking Metro Tools and Prerequisites

Before diving into construction, confirm that metro options are available in the transportation menu. In Cities Skylines 2, these typically unlock via the transport info view after establishing basic networks like buses or trams. Access the menu at the bottom of the screen, navigate to the subway or metro tab, and verify icons for yards, stations, and tracks are active.

• Population threshold: Aim for at least 20,000-30,000 citizens to justify the investment.
• Budget check: Initial costs can exceed 100,000 credits; allocate funds from taxes or milestones.
• Existing networks: Analyze bus and road usage via the traffic overlay to identify congestion hotspots.

Selecting the Perfect Location for Your Metro Yard

The metro yard serves as the hub where vehicles spawn, are maintained, and stored. Position it on the city’s outskirts or near industrial zones to avoid residential complaints about noise. It must be built on the surface and requires flat terrain with ample space for expansions.

Choose a spot with easy access to multiple routes, such as near highways or rail lines for future intermodal connections. Once placed, all stations and tracks link back to it automatically—no manual connections needed. This simplifies scaling as your network grows.

Site Selection Checklist

Strategic Station Placement Principles

Stations are the gateways for citizens. Opt for underground variants to save surface space, placing them under busy intersections, parks, or building clusters. Space stations 500-800 units apart to balance coverage and travel times, using the pedestrian path overlay to ensure walkable access (under 500m).

Target areas with high outside connections demand, such as workplaces and schools. Multiple entrances improve flow, and integrating with surface stops creates transfer hubs.

• Underground stations: Cheapest and most space-efficient.
• Surface stations: Quick to build but occupy road space.
• Elevated stations: Rarely needed; high cost for minimal gain.

Mastering Track Construction and Elevation Control

Tracks form the backbone of your metro. Select double tracks for bidirectional flow—they cost slightly more but prevent bottlenecks. Begin laying from the yard or stations, using the elevation tools to dip underground seamlessly.

Key controls:

• Page Down/Up: Adjust height/depth incrementally.
• Elevation slider: Fine-tune from 0m (surface) to -150m underground.
• Tunnel toggle: Auto-generates underground paths under obstacles.

Start at surface level near the yard, descend gradually (e.g., -20m), route under the city, and ascend to stations. Curves should be gentle (radius >50m) to maintain speed. Crossings at varying depths avoid collisions—e.g., one line at -30m, another at -60m.

Track Types Comparison

Creating Efficient Metro Lines and Loops

With tracks and stations ready, form lines using the line tool. Click the first station, add sequential stops, and close the loop by returning to the start. Duplicate for counter-direction if needed. Name lines (e.g., Line A, Blue Line) for clarity and assign 4-8 vehicles initially, scaling based on demand.

Monitor via the lines overview: Adjust frequencies, vehicle counts, and timetables. Loops outperform linear routes for even coverage. For complex cities, build sequential or hub-spoke systems.

Advanced Techniques for Pro-Level Networks

Elevate your metro game with multi-layer depths, under-river tunnels, and path integrations. Build under deep water by descending further (-100m+). Paths connect stations to buildings, boosting usage by 20-30%.

• Multi-depth stacking: Layer lines to cross freely.
• Demolition tip: Toggle underground mode to remove buried tracks without surface damage.
• Vehicle limits: Cap at 10-15 per line to avoid overcrowding yards.

Troubleshooting Common Metro Issues

Trains not spawning? Check yard connections and budget. Low ridership? Improve station access and line frequency. Congestion? Add sidings or double tracks. Use overlays for diagnostics: Traffic flow shows bottlenecks, public transport view reveals usage.

Measuring Success and Iterating

Track metrics like average speed (>40km/h), modal split (aim for 40%+ public transport), and happiness boosts. Expand iteratively: Start with 2-3 lines, then radial networks. Budget for maintenance (1-2% of costs annually).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How deep should underground tracks go?

Typically -20m to -50m suffices; deeper for water crossings or multi-layers.

Do I need a yard per line?

No, one yard supports the entire network.

Why aren’t my trains moving?

Verify closed loops, sufficient vehicles, and no track gaps.

Can metros go under buildings?

Yes, underground tracks ignore surface structures.

Best time to build metros?

Mid-game, post-50k population, when roads congest.