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> What I'd really like is public transit My opinion: if you look at what the average American pays to have their own vehicle (fuel, maintenance, depreciation,

> What I'd really like is public transit My opinion: if you look at what the average American pays to have their own vehicle (fuel, maintenance, depreciation, insurance, financing), I think you can make the argument people are literally willing to pay hundreds of dollars a month instead of sitting next to people on public transit. Would this be the case if public transit was better? Not sure which is obviously your point. I guess I'm trying to argue "the demand for not-public-transit is there, so maybe that's why public transit isn't improved upon"

benwerd 3y ago
If you look at the history of American city design, you'll find that it's not free market demand that has brought us to this point, but pretty heavy lobbying and more from the automotive industry (which also has seeded this idea that public transit is inherently inferior). Elon Musk is also guilty of this by seeding the hyperloop idea in order to try and stop efforts around high speed rail. Public transit really works when it's done well, and benefits everybody. If we actually design and invest in it well, it will be used.
- matthewfelgate 3y ago
  Sorry but this is bollocks. I know it's popular with left wing Youtubers to say the car lobby did it. But it didn't: people wanted cars and governments built roads. Why does everything have to be a goddamn conspiracy?
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]
lenerdenator 3y ago
True, though as wages continue to remain flat in the face of rising costs, I think you'll see a heightened interest in not being held to owning or leasing a car. The US had a vigorous middle class when the Interstate Highway System was implemented. A family of four could own a home in the suburbs on one income, and it was fine to spend 15 minutes driving from said suburban home to the office. None of that is true any longer.
aaomidi 3y ago
Those same Americans travel to Switzerland and are amazed at the level of good public transit. Americans who have never left this country (the vast majority) have no idea how competently ran government services can look like. We also have a party in the US that actively adds more regulatory pressure IFF the government is the main stakeholder in a project. For example, environmental protections are significantly stricter (arguably, to a fault) if the project is being led by the government. Also, for example, the government is not really allowed to negotiate Medicaid medication prices. Something private insurance does not need to deal with.

benwerd 3y ago

If you look at the history of American city design, you'll find that it's not free market demand that has brought us to this point, but pretty heavy lobbying and more from the automotive industry (which also has seeded this idea that public transit is inherently inferior). Elon Musk is also guilty of this by seeding the hyperloop idea in order to try and stop efforts around high speed rail. Public transit really works when it's done well, and benefits everybody. If we actually design and invest in it well, it will be used.

matthewfelgate 3y ago
Sorry but this is bollocks. I know it's popular with left wing Youtubers to say the car lobby did it. But it didn't: people wanted cars and governments built roads. Why does everything have to be a goddamn conspiracy?
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]

lenerdenator 3y ago

True, though as wages continue to remain flat in the face of rising costs, I think you'll see a heightened interest in not being held to owning or leasing a car. The US had a vigorous middle class when the Interstate Highway System was implemented. A family of four could own a home in the suburbs on one income, and it was fine to spend 15 minutes driving from said suburban home to the office. None of that is true any longer.

aaomidi 3y ago

Those same Americans travel to Switzerland and are amazed at the level of good public transit. Americans who have never left this country (the vast majority) have no idea how competently ran government services can look like. We also have a party in the US that actively adds more regulatory pressure IFF the government is the main stakeholder in a project. For example, environmental protections are significantly stricter (arguably, to a fault) if the project is being led by the government. Also, for example, the government is not really allowed to negotiate Medicaid medication prices. Something private insurance does not need to deal with.