While I agree that public transport is very important and am happy my local transit authority is improving the situation, sibling commenter bitcharmer is on poi

While I agree that public transport is very important and am happy my local transit authority is improving the situation, sibling commenter bitcharmer is on point. That's exactly my experience here in Paris, too. And even if it weren't the case, you'd still have to do those 30 minutes at that specific time, you can't move them around. Don't want to read a book today, but practice something? Tough luck. Also, where I live, most people having a 30-minute commute will need to change trains / buses. Can't exactly read while walking between platforms or for 5 minutes under the pouring rain while waiting for a bus. Podcasts and audiobooks could work, though. Oh, and that 30 minutes trip may double or triple without prior notice. Hope no-one was depending on you that day. Happens fairly often here, too.