Subway Builder is a 2025 transit simulation game by independent developer Colin Miller.[4] The game is a single-player railroadconstruction and management simulator. Players build subway systems in real-world cities by constructing tracks and stations under realistic constraints and costs. They also design routes and manage operations to serve commuters simulated using real-world census data.[2]
The player starts with a map of their selected city accurately populated with its road network, buildings and topographical features. The player builds subway stations and tracks in the city. Tracks can be built at different elevations to navigate the city and landscape. The player can build elevated and at grade tracks as well as tunnels at numerous depths. Two types of tracks and trains are available; heavy and light metro, with heavy metro costing more to build and maintain than light. Heavy metro trains are based on the New York City Subway, allowing up to 10 cars. Light metro trains are based on the Montreal REM, allowing up to 4 cars. The player can use various data analysis tools to see where residents and workers are concentrated and their daily commutes to plan the locations of stations and direction of routes.[5]
Once stations and tracks are built, the player then designs the routes that trains will travel on their subway system. Players choose the route's name and color, stations serviced, and route frequency. Commuters use a combination of vehicles, transit and walking to reach their destination, and the player can see how their services impact this behavior and where improvements in their system can be made.[2]
Construction costs are based on the cost-per-mile of transit construction outside of the United States. Transit construction costs in the US are generally between 2 and 5 times higher than other parts of the world, using overseas pricing was "the only way the game would be playable". There is also a sandbox mode, allowing players to freely build and run the simulation without budget constraints.[5]
Simulation
The game's simulation assigns generated commuters with home and work locations across a city map using a distance-based gravity model based on census data. The simulation then generates passenger flow and demand by making decisions for each commuter about the best way for them to travel based on travel time, cost and time of day. Commuter experience is also accounted for, with commuters discouraged by delayed or cancelled services. College student and airport commuters are also simulated with different travel behavior.[6][7] There is a known problem where the simulated commuters prefer to avoid transfers, affecting travel time and commuter use.[original research?]
Maps
There are 34 cities available to play, 29 from the United States and five from the United Kingdom:[2]
Additional maps are planned for future release in 2026, both within and outside the U.S.[2]
Development
Miller posted on January 10, 2025, that he was working on a "game where you can build a subway network".[8]
He says that he was inspired to create Subway Builder by his experience with a broken down 6 train during a commute home using the NYC Subway, where he thought, "maybe I can make a better [subway system]".[9] Originally considering it a small project, he decided to build out a full game after a video of an early demo gained significant social media attention.[5]
Subway Builder was released on Windows, macOS and Linux platforms on October 9, 2025.[10][11] It continues to be updated with additional features and fixes.[12] Miller and E.J. Fox released their first major "International Expansion" on December 10, 2025, which added the five UK cities now present in the game.[2]
As of October2025[update], Subway Builder is available on the game's website, planning to release on Steam in spring 2026.[2]
Reception
Subway Builder received positive social media attention both prior to launch[11] and on release.[3] Journalists noted the game's "addictive" quality, as well as its realistic simulation. Fast Company noted: "many developers have tried to gamify transit design with offerings like MetroConnect, Brand New Subway, and Mini Metro. But few have attempted to make their simulations realistic enough to replicate real transit-planning challenges at the scale of cities like New York or Seattle."[3]
The game was also noted for its potential as a tool for "public imagination" in promoting and developing public transit in the United States.[5][3]
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