5 ms·

Skip the efficient transit and go straight to jammed up roads. Doesn't seem like a good move.

xnx 2y ago
In the US (outside of possibly NYC) existing rail transit isn't especially money or time efficient. Trains require expensive dedicated right of way and don't take you directly from where you are to where you want to be. Trains are also highly susceptible to delays because they can rarely circumvent obstructed tracks. A single sick or disruptive passenger can delay hundreds of people. Waymo vehicles take you from exactly where you are to where you want to be on existing roads and can alter their route in the case of obstacles.
- kredd 2y ago
  How cheap Waymos have to get to actually make a dent on the amount of people who drive or use public transport on a daily basis? It’s definitely an upgrade over hailing an Uber though, hope it ramps up and we eventually see it up here in Canada as well.
  - kemotep 2y ago
    When I could take the bus it cost me around 50 cents a trip. This was 5 years ago. And was in a mid sized City in the Midwest. Took twice as long as driving but I did not need to pay for parking or drive in the snow when I took the bus.
    - xnx 2y ago
      That's a very good price. My guess is that is heavily subsidized by other taxes and the transit agency is not profitable on fares alone.
  - ohmyiv 2y ago
    > How cheap Waymos have to get to actually make a dent on the amount of people who drive or use public transport on a daily basis? In L.A. for public transportation, they'd have to be really cheap. Public transportation here is crowded because it's realtively cheap. For a long while I took nothing but bus around L.A. It cost me around $50/month to go to nearly all the places I needed to go everyday. I still bus/train often, but sometimes now I have to drive for work and my wallet notices.
dyauspitr 2y ago
Housing in the USA is heavily suburban and spread out. You’re always going to need atleast last mile transportation.

xnx 2y ago

In the US (outside of possibly NYC) existing rail transit isn't especially money or time efficient. Trains require expensive dedicated right of way and don't take you directly from where you are to where you want to be. Trains are also highly susceptible to delays because they can rarely circumvent obstructed tracks. A single sick or disruptive passenger can delay hundreds of people. Waymo vehicles take you from exactly where you are to where you want to be on existing roads and can alter their route in the case of obstacles.

kredd 2y ago
How cheap Waymos have to get to actually make a dent on the amount of people who drive or use public transport on a daily basis? It’s definitely an upgrade over hailing an Uber though, hope it ramps up and we eventually see it up here in Canada as well.
- kemotep 2y ago
  When I could take the bus it cost me around 50 cents a trip. This was 5 years ago. And was in a mid sized City in the Midwest. Took twice as long as driving but I did not need to pay for parking or drive in the snow when I took the bus.
  - xnx 2y ago
    That's a very good price. My guess is that is heavily subsidized by other taxes and the transit agency is not profitable on fares alone.
- ohmyiv 2y ago
  > How cheap Waymos have to get to actually make a dent on the amount of people who drive or use public transport on a daily basis? In L.A. for public transportation, they'd have to be really cheap. Public transportation here is crowded because it's realtively cheap. For a long while I took nothing but bus around L.A. It cost me around $50/month to go to nearly all the places I needed to go everyday. I still bus/train often, but sometimes now I have to drive for work and my wallet notices.

dyauspitr 2y ago

Housing in the USA is heavily suburban and spread out. You’re always going to need atleast last mile transportation.