This arguement needs to be looked at from 2 different perspectives.
1 - The passenger
2 - The operators and crew.
I am sure we would all agree that from a passenger comfort point of view, the Metro is lacking. In this regard the J31 and B1900 are far superior.
But from an operating point of view, the reliability, operating costs, speed, payload, by far outway that of any other type in the same class.
From a pilot's perspective, the Metro is a great aircraft to fly. It does what you tell it to do when you tell it to do it. Apart from being a bit of a ground hog, the performance is second to none, especially on a cool day. Not many others can climb out at MTOW at 3000-4000 fpm.
The proof (as per AA 9/2005) - Aircraft numbers in Australia. 8 B1900C/D's, 6 J31/32's, 62 M2/3/23.
MM
