Transportation in Cities: Skylines II can be divided into public transportation and freight transportation. Public transportation includes transportation of city residents and tourists coming to the city. Public transportation is provided by cabs, passenger planes, buses, passenger trains, streetcars, passenger ships and subways. Freight transportation includes vans, trucks, freight trains, cargo ships and cargo planes, which carry goods to and from the city instead of passengers.
Buses
Buses are unlocked as the first means of public transportation and are a key component of the game’s urban public transportation network. Buses are available in two versions: diesel and environmentally friendly electric. In addition to transporting residents, they can operate intercity services, but a suitable bus depot is required for this. Intercity buses stop at stations or regular stops.
Taxis
Taxis operate on a similar basis to private vehicles, allowing passengers to be transported anywhere, and in the early stages of the game they also bring new residents to the city. Taxis are an extremely flexible form of public transportation, requiring no lines. However, they have limited capacity, can contribute to street congestion and are sometimes delayed by traffic. Initially, taxis can only pick up passengers from stops, but after upgrading the dispatch center, they can pick up passengers from anywhere. Taxis can be upgraded to electric, which reduces noise and air pollution.
Trams
Trams can use existing roads or be built separately, avoiding the need to interfere with existing traffic. Launching a tram network requires a tram depot to operate the tram fleet. Despite the higher initial cost compared to a fleet of buses, trams are quieter and more environmentally friendly.
Subway
The subway is an efficient and fast means of public transportation. Despite the costly investment in infrastructure, it is a popular choice for passengers who value their time. Subways can be built above ground, on elevated tracks or be entirely hidden underground. Subway station entrances can be easily incorporated between existing buildings, minimizing the space taken up.
Trains
Trains carry large volumes of passengers and cargo. Although they are more suitable for intercity transportation due to their size, they can also be used at the local level. In order to create a rail network, it is necessary to build a railroad station that manages and operates trains and connects to the tracks. Trains need a suitable railroad system, which involves high initial costs.
Ships
Ships are an extensive transportation option, covering both passenger and cargo transportation. They are able to meet the needs of a large number of passengers, both on urban and intercity routes. In order to implement inter-city water transportation, it is necessary to connect ports to the seaway network.
Planes
Airplanes are a fast means of intercity transportation for passengers and cargo. Despite their limited capacity compared to other modes of transportation, they compensate for this with their speed. Airports require a lot of construction space, and depending on the number of airlines, generate significant traffic between the city and the airport.
Transport views
There are two informative views of transportation in Cities: Skylines II.
Transportation view
The Transportation information view collects data on passenger and freight traffic. Passenger information includes the number of available lines, the number of passengers carried and the total number of travelers in a given month, taking into account the type of transport. Cargo data is located in the cargo section of the information panel and includes the amount of cargo transported in tons, also taking into account the type of transport. In addition, the transportation information view highlights all lines in the city and clearly marks vehicles with icons, allowing a full understanding of where they are and how many vehicles are currently on the road.
Line view
The line overview contains information about transport lines, such as their length, number of stops, current number of passengers and percentage of use. In it, you can also rename lines and select vehicle models for different routes.
The line panel is where you will find detailed information about a specific transportation line. For a public transport line, you can adjust such parameters as the ticket price, the number of vehicles on the route and the hours of operation (day, night or day and night). For cargo lines, you adjust the number of vehicles and their hours of operation. The ticket price influences residents’ preferences when choosing a mode of transportation, taking into account travel time, comfort and cost. Adjusting the number of vehicles on a line allows you to respond to changing traffic patterns as the city grows. If a line becomes very popular and is almost fully utilized, additional vehicles can reduce congestion and wait times at stops and stations, which also influences residents’ choice.
Sources:
https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/games/cities-skylines-ii/features/public-cargo-transpo
