4 ms·
Most people drive cars because it's much faster, cheaper and more reliable than public transport.
by jules 11y ago
Most people drive cars because it's much faster, cheaper and more reliable than public transport.
- woofyman 11y agoI live in Atlanta 1 block from a train station and the only time I use the train is to get to the airport or dinner in the nearby city of Decatur. I do live in a highly walkable neighborhood and work is a 10 minute drive. It's a 45 minute walk which I'll do in the fall.
- jules 11y agoUniversity is 1 hour from my house by public transport or walking, 15 mins by bicycle and 10 mins by car. My parents' house is ~4 hours by public transport and <2 hours by car. That is why people prefer other forms of transport. I do like use the train because you can work while riding, and they have a lower CO2 footprint, but neither reason really applies to most people.
- ska 11y agoI agree with this if you amend it to "... they believe it is much ..." It is usually faster (some metros excepted) and usually more reliable, but people seem to consistently underestimate how much they spend on their cars. If you live in a major metro area (not its suburbs) my guess is that public transit is usually much cheaper. It certainly is in the ones I have lived in. If you've got a decent transit system (and that's a big if in North America), of course. On the other hand, there are plenty of living arrangements that make transit impractical.
- mironathetin 11y agoHere are my numbers: Since I don't own a car any more and use public transport, I have 500 Euros a month more in my pocket. That does not account for the savings I need to buy a new car every few years. Only insurance, fuel and repairs/inspections. Public transport is 60 a month.
- ska 11y agoI suspect it's a bit less compelling in many north american cities (price of fuel, etc.), but savings of a few thousand dollars/ year are certainly possible in some locations.
- mironathetin 11y agoI also forgot to mention taxes and the price for a garage (100 per month). That should make the 500 more realistic. But as you wrote, these values vary very much depending on your location.