3 ms·

Hey, there's a great way to significantly reduce commuter stress: Efficient and comfortable public transport.

closeparen 10y ago
Can you name a city where it's normal for public transit commuters to get seats at all (unless they live an hour+ ride out of the city, where the train starts), let alone comfortable ones? I'm skeptical that there is such a thing as efficient and comfortable public transport. In my experience only underutilized public transport is comfortable, and public transport is only underutilized if it's slower than driving. The trend in most systems is towards inward-facing seats along the sides for the very lucky few, a huge mass of standees in the middle (the denser the better until additional passengers physically can't make it on), and width of seats/separation between seated passengers makes basic economy on a budget airline feel positively luxurious. Off-peak errands and entertainment on public transport can be fine, but not commuting. How anyone can find physical contact with strangers in a cramped, enclosed space less stressful than driving is way beyond me.
- spoonie 10y ago
  Caltrain in the SFBA whenever there isn't a Giants game. There are bike cars where I can park my bike and sit down. I believe it's slower than driving, on average, (especially with the non-express trains) but the variance is lower (fewer traffic accidents).
- m_mueller 10y ago
  First of all, I didn't say you get a seat, I said comfortable. I can stand for quite a while, read a book on my phone and be comfortable. Secondly, there is a huge margin between having to stand but getting your own little space and being cramped. Former is expected, the latter is something you can plan around when choosing workplace and home. Also, how annoying cramped spaces are is heavily dependant on who else is there. That ranges from drunk football (soccer) fans at one extreme to Japanese. With the latter I don't care at all being cramped, everyone stays relaxed, gives way when needed and is perfectly behaved in queues. I'll take that any day over standing in traffic - because I can completely switch off, no responsibilities apart from getting off at my stop.
- cgvgffyv 10y ago
  > I'm skeptical that there is such a thing as efficient and comfortable public transport. Have you tried living in a country made for people, as opposed to cars? Like, just about anywhere in Europe.

Can you name a city where it's normal for public transit commuters to get seats at all (unless they live an hour+ ride out of the city, where the train starts), let alone comfortable ones? I'm skeptical that there is such a thing as efficient and comfortable public transport. In my experience only underutilized public transport is comfortable, and public transport is only underutilized if it's slower than driving. The trend in most systems is towards inward-facing seats along the sides for the very lucky few, a huge mass of standees in the middle (the denser the better until additional passengers physically can't make it on), and width of seats/separation between seated passengers makes basic economy on a budget airline feel positively luxurious. Off-peak errands and entertainment on public transport can be fine, but not commuting. How anyone can find physical contact with strangers in a cramped, enclosed space less stressful than driving is way beyond me.

spoonie 10y ago
Caltrain in the SFBA whenever there isn't a Giants game. There are bike cars where I can park my bike and sit down. I believe it's slower than driving, on average, (especially with the non-express trains) but the variance is lower (fewer traffic accidents).
m_mueller 10y ago
First of all, I didn't say you get a seat, I said comfortable. I can stand for quite a while, read a book on my phone and be comfortable. Secondly, there is a huge margin between having to stand but getting your own little space and being cramped. Former is expected, the latter is something you can plan around when choosing workplace and home. Also, how annoying cramped spaces are is heavily dependant on who else is there. That ranges from drunk football (soccer) fans at one extreme to Japanese. With the latter I don't care at all being cramped, everyone stays relaxed, gives way when needed and is perfectly behaved in queues. I'll take that any day over standing in traffic - because I can completely switch off, no responsibilities apart from getting off at my stop.
cgvgffyv 10y ago
> I'm skeptical that there is such a thing as efficient and comfortable public transport. Have you tried living in a country made for people, as opposed to cars? Like, just about anywhere in Europe.