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>Most US public transit systems are funded by taxes in addition to fares. As a homeowner this is abundantly clear by looking at your tax bill, and something th

>Most US public transit systems are funded by taxes in addition to fares. As a homeowner this is abundantly clear by looking at your tax bill, and something that I suspect renters don't think about. I don't grumble much about paying my taxes, but when you look at the breakdown, it's insane how much goes to things I don't personally use or even get much benefit out of. I like the idea of public transit, but the design of the system in my area seems to be to get the poor where they need to go, not as an alternative transport method for people who can afford private vehicles. >Buses are huge obstacles to the free flow of traffic (e.g. blocking right turns, slow left turns, blocking car and bike lanes with width) and are heavy polluters (diesel powered, oversized for most of their operating time). They also something like 20x the damage to roads that cars and trucks do because of the way the weight is transferred to the axels. I think buses are important, but a lot of negatives are ignored because they are absorbed by the overall system.

xnx 1y ago
> get the poor where they need to go The poor would probably be much happier with a $250 Uber voucher than a bus pass. > They also something like 20x the damage to roads that cars This is very evident in my city where they had to install huge concrete pads at every bus stop because of the deep ruts and potholes busses cause when they start and stop.
- tdeck 1y ago
  In my city a $250 Uber voucher wouldn't go very far, I could take maybe 8 or 9 meaningful trips with that amount of money.
pixelatedindex 1y ago
> but the design of the system in my area seems to be to get the poor where they need to go I don’t understand… do you not go to places where the poor go? Is there no transit to take you to parks and malls and theaters and stadiums? I suspect it’s more that taking your private vehicle is easier and faster, and not because there isn’t service - it probably just sucks.
- azthecx 1y ago
  In general the public transit system in the US is so underfunded and badly executed when compared to road infrastructure that only disadvantaged people that can't afford car transportation will even consider using it.
  - pixelatedindex 1y ago
    Yes but that’s not by “design” like you alluded to. It’s because the advantaged people with cars don’t really care about funding the transit system. So if anything the “design” of transit, only taking the poor to where they want seems purposefully molded by the privileged.

xnx 1y ago

> get the poor where they need to go The poor would probably be much happier with a $250 Uber voucher than a bus pass. > They also something like 20x the damage to roads that cars This is very evident in my city where they had to install huge concrete pads at every bus stop because of the deep ruts and potholes busses cause when they start and stop.

tdeck 1y ago
In my city a $250 Uber voucher wouldn't go very far, I could take maybe 8 or 9 meaningful trips with that amount of money.

pixelatedindex 1y ago

> but the design of the system in my area seems to be to get the poor where they need to go I don’t understand… do you not go to places where the poor go? Is there no transit to take you to parks and malls and theaters and stadiums? I suspect it’s more that taking your private vehicle is easier and faster, and not because there isn’t service - it probably just sucks.

azthecx 1y ago
In general the public transit system in the US is so underfunded and badly executed when compared to road infrastructure that only disadvantaged people that can't afford car transportation will even consider using it.
- pixelatedindex 1y ago
  Yes but that’s not by “design” like you alluded to. It’s because the advantaged people with cars don’t really care about funding the transit system. So if anything the “design” of transit, only taking the poor to where they want seems purposefully molded by the privileged.