4 ms·
Transit advocates like to point to New Yorkers as evidence that not everyone likes to drive, but I think NYC shows exactly the opposite to be the case, which is
by dionidium 9y ago
Transit advocates like to point to New Yorkers as evidence that not everyone likes to drive, but I think NYC shows exactly the opposite to be the case, which is that people will put up with insane amounts of inconvenience to avoid public transit.
The fact that even a quarter of Manhattanites own a car demonstrates that people are willing to absorb enormous costs to continue driving. (A much higher percentage than that would, I'm sure, still like to own a car in Manhattan, but simply can't afford it.)
- akgerber 9y agoMany New Yorkers own cars for weekend trips or recreation, not commuting— if you've ever seen how long it takes for many cars to get dug out and moved in NYC after a snowstorm when alternate-side parking is suspended, this becomes very clear.
- dionidium 9y agoThat represents an even bigger devotion to car ownership that does an insistence on commuting by car! These are people for whom car ownership is totally unnecessary, but who are willing to put up with enormous costs and hassles in order to keep a car available.
- woolvalley 9y agoIf you pay for a parking spot, it's not much of a hassle, just an expense. Renting cars can be fairly annoying and time consuming, especially when everyone else is renting them during the weekend.