> That viewpoint simply baffles me...I just can't fathom how anyone could prefer cars over a well-run public transport system. The obvious answer is that most

> That viewpoint simply baffles me...I just can't fathom how anyone could prefer cars over a well-run public transport system. The obvious answer is that most cities in the US, maybe just most cities, don't have a "well-run" PTS. I don't think it's an ideological refusal to use the PTS just because it's a PTS. Cars are a lot faster than the bus outside of rush hour, and I value my free time. Cars are a lot faster than the bus during rush hour if you have to transfer even just a single time. The bus comes extremely infrequently in the middle of the night. Plus, like your hauling personal freight example, there are things like hiking that you could do pretty frequently and for which Uber or a car rental aren't feasible. And the buses here are off schedule enough that you can't rely on getting anywhere on time, especially if it's raining. If buses came twice as often, I would easily pay double the current 100$/month bus pass rate and ditch my car.