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I often wonder how good public transportation would be all over the world if we pooled all the money we collectively spend on cars and roads and put it into pub
by ngngngng 6y ago
I often wonder how good public transportation would be all over the world if we pooled all the money we collectively spend on cars and roads and put it into public transit. I spend a LOT of money on cars each month between my loan payment, gas, and insurance. Is there a reason we don't just throw that money into public transit instead of trying to phase out gas like this? What am I missing?
- thoughtstheseus 6y agoStatus quo bias.
- throwaway201103 6y ago> What am I missing? You could buy cheaper, older cars that you can afford without financing. These have no manufacturing environmental impact, since they are already made. Insurance is cheaper, and you can dispense with full coverage making it cheaper still.
- maxerickson 6y agoIncreased demand for used vehicles increases demand for new vehicles. I think it's not true that there is a bright line where the first buyer of a relatively durable good is the one that creates environmental impact.
- souprock 6y agoYou're missing many issues that won't be fixed by more money: 1. Much of the world is low-density. (and we like it that way) Public transportation would be running empty nearly always. Anything less, and service times become awful. 2. We've learned that public transportation isn't OK in a world with viruses. 3. People keep personal stuff in cars. 4. Lots of people don't feel safe on public transportation. 5. Even "good" public transportation isn't normally door-to-door. People will need to walk much more. That could mean getting sweat-drenched and smelly in hot humid weather, getting frostbite in cold weather, struggling with disability, or trying to keep kids from straying or straggling. 6. Public transportation is dirty. The germs aren't from family. Everything is gross and nasty.