It is once you move out of the city.

Orrin leads a dull life, so he doesn't need to go anywhere.

My youngest was carless in college. But she didn't just go to class. She had projects, field trips, theater, etc.

Public transit doesn't operate late. And it's unreliable. And nobody wants it.

I don't know if it's true, but the other day I heard someone say that only 27% of transit seats are used nationwide.

Even if you build it, they won't come.

How many kids do you have?

Don't you people realize that this is good social engineering? It's only bad when Leftists use social engineering to impose their petty prejudicies on society.

And notice how when people sell the idea of public transportation, it's always about how all those other people will use it to make driving a more pleasant experience for you, the person who won't be in those buses.

And this should be Orrin's theme song on the subject — It sure captures what I remember of the joys of riding the CTA in Chicago, the last time I was dependent on public transport.

First the wealthy enviro left snobzones the less wealthy into more and more distant suburbs. Some businesses lead them, some others follow. Then the left fiegns surprise that commutes take longer, and complains that too much gas is being used up. Well, duh.
This isn't a problem mass transit can solve. Commuting distances are too far, and people's destinations are too far apart.

First the wealthy enviro left snobzones the less wealthy into more and more distant suburbs. Some businesses lead them, some others follow. Then the left fiegns surprise that commutes take longer, and complains that too much gas is being used up. Well, duh.
This isn't a problem mass transit can solve. Commuting distances are too far, and people's destinations are too far apart.

Well said, Steve. The necessity of owning a car is an artificial one foisted on us by land-use planners and the auto companies. However, current conditions make car ownership a necessity for all but a very small percentage of Americans.

Harry:

Yes, you have to force them.

Thew highway is social engineering.

oj-

You sound like the academic leftist who honestly believes that things would work spendidly if only he were in charge instead of the markets. A scary thought considering your glorious isolation and quirky attachment to Giddens' Third Way.

Transit planners tend to develop their systems with a design like spokes on a wheel, with all routes radiating out from the central city hub. The problem is that in many cities over the past 40 years -- espeically those with a limited access Interstate loop route around them, development along that route has grown so much many people never go downtown, but travel from Point A to Point B in the loop area to go from their home to their job (or shopping, or to see a movie, etc.).

Until mass transit planners can modify their systems to deal with that reality, the systems won't be of much use to millions of suburban and outer-edge city dwellers.

Tom:

What markets?

Bus riders = Soccer fans: Think about it. Besides, I can't take my HBAR to the range on a bus,

walk.

You walk.

the kids to school every day

2-3 hours wasted per day in Houston trying to get somewhere on the bus (with ever decreasing services thanks to cuts to pay for the light rail abomination) or the light rail (which shuts down in heavy rain) adds up to many more hours wasted per day than the average time we're held up in traffic.

oj-

What's left of them. Now that we've got you in charge we don't even need what remains.

kevin:

Yes, service will need to be increased.

Tom:

There weren't any to begin with. There are virtually no private highways.

I have 3 children, all grown. One went to college in suburban N.Y., while his wife attended her college in Manhattan. They lived in Yorkville and used public transportation or bicycles.

The youngest went to college in San Diego, which has light rail and buses, which are unreliable and dangerous, don't go where she needed to go.

It is noticeable that in places where, according to Orrin, the people are going to provide use with both spiritual and economic revivification, as soon as they get a little more income, the second thing they do is reject public transportation and buy a motorbike. (The first thing they do is eat regular.)

I have 3 children, all grown. One went to college in suburban N.Y., while his wife attended her college in Manhattan. They lived in Yorkville and used public transportation or bicycles.

The youngest went to college in San Diego, which has light rail and buses, which are unreliable and dangerous, don't go where she needed to go.

It is noticeable that in places where, according to Orrin, the people are going to provide us with both spiritual and economic revivification, as soon as they get a little more income, the second thing they do is reject public transportation and buy a motorbike. (The first thing they do is eat regular.)