surface subway
n.— «One thing that Aaron should absolutely be ashamed of himself for is his use of the phrase “surface subway.” Subways and elevated trains speed people along because they’re grade-separated. You just can’t go that fast on the surface, even if you have a dedicated right-of-way and signal priority. A surface subway is nonsense.» —“I Want a Nice Big Imitation Steak” Cap’n Transit Rides Again Jan. 19, 2009. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
In the 15th century, the word respair meant “to have hope again.” Although this word fell out of use, it’s among dozens collected in a new book of soothing vocabulary for troubled times. Plus, baseball slang: If a batter...
Eric from West Lafayette, Indiana, wonders which phrase is correct when referring to “making the grade” or “meeting expectations”: Is it cut the mustard or cut the muster? It’s the former, a reference to the strong...
Here is something close. Part of Philadelphia transportation system is known as “subway surface.” These are trolley cars that run on the streets at the outer portion of the city and then descend into subway lines when they get near the center of the city.