In Paris in the Twentieth Century, published for the first time in 1994, Verne described fax machines, gas-powered cars and an elevated mass transit system.

FORBES: Eerily Prescient

So troubled is Santiago's new mass transit system, known as Transantiago, that President Michele Bachelet made an unusual admission just days after its disastrous roll-out.

NPR: In Chile, Commuters Sue City over Transit System

Deputy Hales says privately owned buses careened thru Santiago's streets, belching black smoke and competing for passengers in what appeared to be more a high-speed chase than a mass transit system.

NPR: In Chile, Commuters Sue City over Transit System

Despite New York City virtually revolving around its mass transit system, local subway riders haven't had a way to check the next arrival in real-time, even though some smaller cities already take live transit details for granted.

ENGADGET: MTA app for iPhone offers New Yorkers real-time subway arrivals, a small dose of relief

New Jersey has closed its public mass-transit system indefinitely.

WSJ: Travelers Face a Nightmare

Meanwhile, in New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg warned that the mass-transit system would likely be shut down for most of the weekend if Hurricane Irene continues along its projected course.

FORBES: Hurricane Irene Exposes Charlatans on All Sides of Climate Science