[tbabb]

Agree. I suspect Musk doesn't get how efficient good public transport can be (NYC when the system is working well), and the author doesn't get how substandard most public transit systems are.

I have strong doubts that single- or low-occupancy vehicles could outcompete trains or buses on efficiency. I also think public transit could be way better than it is. I'm not sure I buy Musk's vision (which does seem out-of-touch), and I definitely don't buy the author's position that "nothing is wrong".

[dzhiurgis]

It's probably one of those cases where less efficient node in the system makes entire system more efficient overall. Perhaps we need to reduce car use by 20% to make transport 300% more comfortable, practical, attractive.

I remember seeing pics of a concept bus Tesla was rumoured to manufacture, where every seat has it's own doors and personal area. So maybe it's capacity is half normal bus, but 20x a car. Even if it works like Uber Pool, overall it's a net win.

Finally, I don't think he's trying to disrupt public transport entirely, rather to introduce better options.