Express vs. Local — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 26, 2024
Express services operate with fewer stops and faster delivery times, while local services have more frequent stops and cater to a smaller area.
Difference Between Express and Local
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Express services are designed for speed and efficiency, often skipping several stops to connect major points directly. In contrast, local services focus on accessibility, stopping frequently to serve all stops along their route.
Express options are typically used in contexts where time is a critical factor, such as express trains or delivery services. Whereas local options prioritize coverage and accessibility, often resulting in longer durations but improved service within local areas.
In transportation, express buses or trains charge higher fares due to the convenience of faster travel times. On the other hand, local buses or trains may have lower fares as they cater to regular commuting within local communities.
For deliveries, an express service means a package might be delivered within hours or overnight, depending on the urgency. Local delivery services, however, might take a few days but cover areas not reached by mainstream express services.
Express lines are often less crowded due to the specific nature and higher costs, attracting fewer but more urgent travelers. In contrast, local lines are typically more crowded, serving more passengers who are making shorter, regular trips.
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Comparison Chart
Stops
Fewer stops
More stops
Speed
Faster
Slower
Cost
Generally higher
Generally lower
Area Coverage
Limited, major points
Extensive, detailed
Typical Use
Urgent need, less frequent
Daily use, more frequent
Compare with Definitions
Express
Moving or operating fast, with limited stops.
The express train doesn't stop between here and the city center.
Local
Referring to the provision or use of services within a limited area.
She prefers shopping at local, independent stores.
Express
A service intended to be faster than usual.
They offer express shipping for online orders.
Local
Pertaining to or characteristic of a particular area, community, or locality.
The local library holds community events every weekend.
Express
Designed for quick service and efficiency.
She used an express checkout at the supermarket.
Local
Not widespread or extended far.
Local broadcasts cover news from the surrounding community.
Express
To convey thoughts or feelings directly.
He expressed his displeasure without hesitation.
Local
Involving or affecting only a small area.
The fire caused local damage but was contained quickly.
Express
Direct or specific in aim or purpose.
The express terms of the contract specify the deadlines.
Local
Transport services that make frequent stops.
Taking the local bus can be slower but covers more stops.
Express
To set forth in words; state
Express an opinion.
Local
Relating or restricted to a particular area or one's neighbourhood
Researching local history
The local post office
Express
To manifest or communicate, as by a gesture; show
Expressed his anger with a frown.
Local
(in technical use) relating to a particular region or part, or to each of any number of these
Migration can regulate the local density of animals
A local infection
Express
To make known the feelings or opinions of (oneself), as by statement or art.
Local
An inhabitant of a particular area or neighbourhood
The street was full of locals and tourists
Express
To convey or suggest a representation of; depict
The painting expresses the rage of war victims.
Local
Of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular place
A local custom.
The local slang.
Express
To represent by a sign, symbol, number, or formula
Express a fraction as a decimal.
Local
Of or relating to a city, town, or district rather than a larger area
State and local government.
Express
To squeeze or press out, as juice from an orange.
Local
Not broad or general; not widespread
Local outbreaks of flu.
Express
To send by special messenger or rapid transport
Express a package to Los Angeles.
Local
Of or affecting a specific part of the body
A local infection.
Express
To synthesize (a product, especially a protein) encoded by a gene
A gene that expresses an enzyme.
Local
Making all possible or scheduled stops on a route; not express
A local train.
Express
To manifest the effects of (a gene)
Half of the people who inherit the gene express it.
Local
A public conveyance that makes several intermediate stops before the final destination is reached
Changed trains to a local.
Express
To manifest (a genetic trait)
All the mice in the study expressed the defect.
Local
A local chapter or branch of an organization, especially of a labor union.
Express
Definitely and explicitly stated
Their express wish.
Local
A local anesthetic.
Express
Particular; specific
An express plan.
Local
(Informal) A person from a particular locality.
Express
Rapid and having few or no stops or interruptions
Express delivery of packages.
An express bus.
Local
From or in a nearby location.
We prefer local produce.
Express
Of, relating to, or appropriate for rapid travel
Express lanes on a freeway.
Local
Connected directly to a particular computer, processor, etc.; able to be accessed offline.
Local disk drive
Local file
The panel shows both local and remote sites.
Express
Designed for use in an express rifle
An express bullet.
Local
Having limited scope (either lexical or dynamic); only being accessible within a certain portion of a program.
Express
By express delivery or transport.
Local
Applying to each point in a space rather than the space as a whole.
Express
A rapid, efficient system for the delivery of goods and mail.
Local
(medicine) Of or pertaining to a restricted part of an organism.
Local lesion
The patient didn't want to be sedated, so we applied only local anesthesia.
Express
Goods and mail conveyed by such a system.
Local
Descended from an indigenous population.
Hawaiian Pidgin is spoken by the local population.
Express
A means of transport, such as a train, that travels rapidly and makes few or no stops before its destination.
Local
A person who lives near a given place.
It's easy to tell the locals from the tourists.
Express
A special messenger.
Local
A branch of a nationwide organization such as a trade union.
I'm in the TWU, too. Local 6.
Express
A message delivered by special courier.
Local
(rail transport) local train
The expresses skipped my station, so I had to take a local.
Express
(not comparable) Moving or operating quickly, as a train not making local stops.
Local
(British) One's nearest or regularly frequented public house or bar.
I got barred from my local, so I've started going all the way into town for a drink.
Express
(comparable) Specific or precise; directly and distinctly stated; not merely implied.
I gave him express instructions not to begin until I arrived, but he ignored me.
This book cannot be copied without the express permission of the publisher.
Local
(programming) A locally scoped identifier.
Functional programming languages usually don't allow changing the immediate value of locals once they've been initialized, unless they're explicitly marked as being mutable.
Express
Truly depicted; exactly resembling.
In my eyes it bore a livelier image of the spirit, it seemed more express and single, than the imperfect and divided countenance.
Local
An item of news relating to the place where the newspaper is published.
Express
Providing a more limited but presumably faster service than a full or complete dealer of the same kind or type.
Pizza Hut Express
McDonald's Express
Local
Clipping of local anesthetic
Express
A mode of transportation, often a train, that travels quickly or directly.
I took the express into town.
Local
(finance) An independent trader who acts for themselves rather than on behalf of investors.
Express
A service that allows mail or money to be sent rapidly from one destination to another.
Local
A Twitter user who is not a part of Stan Twitter.
Express
An express rifle.
Local
In the local area; within a city, state, country, etc.
It's never been more important to buy local.
Express
(obsolete) A clear image or representation; an expression; a plain declaration.
Local
Of or pertaining to a particular place, or to a definite region or portion of space; restricted to one place or region; as, a local custom.
Gives to airy nothingA local habitation and a name.
Express
A messenger sent on a special errand; a courier.
Local
A train which receives and deposits passengers or freight along the line of the road; a train for the accommodation of a certain district.
Express
An express office.
Local
In newspaper cant, an item of news relating to the place where the paper is published.
Express
That which is sent by an express messenger or message.
Local
A train or bus which stops at all stations along a line, as contrasted with an express, which stops only at certain stations designated as express stops.
Express
(obsolete) The action of conveying some idea using words or actions; communication, expression.
Local
Public transport consisting of a bus or train that stops at all stations or stops;
The local seemed to take forever to get to New York
Express
(obsolete) A specific statement or instruction.
Local
Anesthetic that numbs a local area of the body
Express
Moving or operating quickly, as a train not making local stops.
The train runs express to 96 St.
Local
Relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area;
Local taxes
Local authorities
Express
(transitive) To convey or communicate; to make known or explicit.
Words cannot express the love I feel for him.
Local
Of or belonging to or characteristic of a particular locality or neighborhood;
Local customs
Local schools
The local citizens
A local point of view
Local outbreaks of flu
A local bus line
Express
(transitive) To press, squeeze out (especially said of milk).
Local
Affecting only a restricted part or area of the body;
Local anesthesia
Express
(biochemistry) To translate messenger RNA into protein.
Express
(biochemistry) To transcribe deoxyribonucleic acid into messenger RNA.
Express
Exactly representing; exact.
Their human countenanceThe express resemblance of the gods.
Express
Directly and distinctly stated; declared in terms; not implied or left to inference; made unambiguous by intention and care; clear; not dubious; as, express consent; an express statement.
I have express commandment.
Express
Of or pertaining to an express train or other conveyance designated an express{5}; makiung few or no intermediate stops; as, an express stop; an express fare; an express elevator.
Express
Intended for a particular purpose; relating to an express; sent on a particular errand; dispatched with special speed; as, an express messenger or train. Also used adverbially.
A messenger sent express from the other world.
Express
A clear image or representation; an expression; a plain declaration.
The only remanent express of Christ's sacrifice on earth.
Express
A messenger sent on a special errand; a courier; hence, a regular and fast conveyance; commonly, a company or system for the prompt and safe transportation of merchandise or parcels.
Express
An express office.
She charged him . . . to ask at the express if anything came up from town.
Express
That which is sent by an express messenger or message.
Express
A railway train or bus for transporting passengers or goods with speed and punctuality; a train or bus that does not stop at certain stations. Contrasted to local; as, take the express to get there faster.
Express
To press or squeeze out; as, to express the juice of grapes, or of apples; hence, to extort; to elicit.
All the fruits out of which drink is expressed.
And th'idle breath all utterly expressed.
Halters and racks can not express from theeMore than by deeds.
Express
To make or offer a representation of; to show by a copy or likeness; to represent; to resemble.
Each skillful artist shall express thy form.
So kids and whelps their sires and dams express.
Express
To give a true impression of; to represent and make known; to manifest plainly; to show in general; to exhibit, as an opinion or feeling, by a look, gesture, and esp. by language; to declare; to utter; to tell.
My words express my purpose.
They expressed in their lives those excellent doctrines of morality.
Express
To make known the opinions or feelings of; to declare what is in the mind of; to show (one's self); to cause to appear; - used reflexively.
Mr. Phillips did express with much indignation against me, one evening.
Express
To denote; to designate.
Moses and Aaron took these men, which are expressed by their names.
Express
To send by express messenger; to forward by special opportunity, or through the medium of an express; as, to express a package.
Express
To produce products that cause the appearance of the corresponding phenotype; - of a gene or of an organism with a specific gene; as, to express the beta-galactosidase gene,
Express
Rapid transport of goods
Express
Mail that is distributed by a rapid and efficient system
Express
Public transport consisting of a fast train or bus that makes a limited number of scheduled stops;
He caught the express to New York
Express
Give expression to;
She showed her disappointment
Express
Articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise;
She expressed her anger
He uttered a curse
Express
Indicate through a symbol, formula, etc.;
Can you express this distance in kilometers?
Express
Serve as a means for expressing something;
The painting of Mary carries motherly love
His voice carried a lot af anger
Express
Manifest the effects of (a gene or genetic trait);
Many of the laboratory animals express the trait
Express
Obtain from a substance, as by mechanical action;
Italians express coffee rather than filter it
Express
Send my rapid transport or special messenger service;
She expressed the letter to Florida
Express
Not tacit or implied;
Her express wish
Express
Without unnecessary stops;
An express train
An express shipment
Express
By express;
Please send the letter express
Common Curiosities
Can I use express services for daily commuting?
Express services can be used for commuting if they align with your travel needs, though they are less frequent and costlier than local services.
Do express services cover fewer areas than local?
Yes, express services usually focus on connecting major points directly and cover fewer areas compared to local services.
Are local services slower than express?
Yes, local services are slower as they make more stops along their route.
Is express more expensive than local?
Yes, express services typically cost more due to their faster and more direct routes.
Can local services become express?
Some local services may have express variants during peak hours but typically, they operate separately.
Do express deliveries guarantee same-day arrival?
While express deliveries often aim for same-day or overnight delivery, it's not guaranteed and depends on distance and logistics.
Are there express services in air travel?
In air travel, terms like "non-stop" or "direct" flights are akin to express services, offering quicker, more direct routes.
What is the main difference between express and local services?
Express services are faster and make fewer stops compared to local services, which stop frequently and cover more local areas.
Which is better for daily use, express or local?
Local services are generally better for daily use due to their frequent stops and lower costs.
Is express suitable for long-distance travel?
Yes, express services are often more suitable for long-distance travel as they save time by making fewer stops.
Do local services offer comfort compared to express?
Local services might offer less comfort as they are more crowded and focus on maximum stop coverage.
Which service is more flexible, local or express?
Local services are more flexible in terms of coverage and frequency of stops.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
