Quit a PhD program and transfer to another?
(I realize this is a belated answer, so this is mostly for other readers, not for OP.)

You should definitely not be in a situation where you're doing research that is not meaningful to you, and are merely at the whim of your supervisor.

But - the point is not which university you are in. The point is what do you want to study as a researcher? Try figuring out what it is that you are interested in - then look for places where you could pursue this subject/question; and for potential supervisors/advisors for doing so. 

If you focus your own interests, it might even help you make a stand vis-a-vis your supervisor rather than caving to what s/he dictates (Not necessarily; but maybe). And you might be able to arrange for having a co-supervisor - in or out of your current university - who shared your interest, or finds use in what you intend to study.

As for references/recommendations - that's a minor consideration. I mean, it's true that if you quit you might not get your current supervisor's recommendation; but you can't let that be a decisive factor, to the extent of staying and wasting your life like you describe.