4 ms·
this is such a bad take. the point of public transit is not to get enough people to ride it so the system is profitable. do we expect roads to be profitable?
by julesqs 9y ago
this is such a bad take. the point of public transit is not to get enough people to ride it so the system is profitable. do we expect roads to be profitable? they aren't, even if you say "the gas tax".
and lol at heavy rail can't meet needs that cars can. A single subway line in New York can carry 60k people _in each direction_ at peak capacity. Autonomous cars are years away and will never achieve that efficiency just because of space.
- ascagnel_ 9y agoSubways are the most efficient way to move people in terms of square footage needed to move a person at speed, with heavy rail a close second, and walking third. You can fit 4-6 adults comfortably on a subway train with less space than those same people in a private automobile.
- DrScump 9y agoBut farebox recovery rate is a good metric for measuring how well a public transit system actually serves (and fails to serve would-be) passengers. Silicon Valley's VTA is among the worst, as its routes were chosen more for political purposes than optimal service.