[whoknowswhat11]

The issue with public transit is that

a) its often out of my control in terms of options to fix it

b) some things (violence) seem to have become accepted.

c) there are a ton of (very) entrenched special interests which make touching any element of this difficult.

Options like auto-cars put control in users hands, who can self organize if they want to car share etc.

[danhor]

It's already possible to self organize car sharing, with a spiffy app, insurance rating systems and . But keeping the car in good shape and checking it, as well as the risk on non-availability (which might get better with a self-driving car, but no one wants to wait for the car to driver 30 minutes back) now make it an unattractive option compared to commercial car sharing.

At least here in the Region of Stuttgart, Germany b) and c) mostly don't apply (and I'm pretty certain they don't in most other parts of europe) and most issues with public transit here (limited core capacity leading to overcrowding, higher prices) similarly apply to cars and automated cars (with congestion and usually higher cost of ownership than public transit time cards) and can't be solved there either by an individual. The unique issues not common to other modes of transport are bad service in some parts, depending on the route a long duration compared to car travel and an aging infrastructure leading to a few issues (but due to be replaced in the near future™).

Most of those stem partially from chronic underinvestment with some rail connections closed in the 50s still not being reactivated. But unless a car isn't needed for the daily commute (due to public transit or more home office or active transportation) it's hard to imagine car sharing or self driving cars helping a lot.

[whoknowswhat11]

I lived in Europe for a number of years. At least then, transit was great and I used it extensively. In San Francisco at least, for policy reasons, transit is pretty grim.

I witnessed a guy getting beat up for stopping a tourist scam. Interestingly, after they grabbed his shoes and he chased them HE was arrested.

I saw an old women be spit on (huge spit) while sitting in the handicap seat.

What's very unique in San Francisco, passengers know that if they get involved and a claim of excessive force, racial etc factors come in - they may have a career ending consequences or liability. AS a result, again, no one will help you. It's really amazing watching TOTALLY brazen theft from stores, from cars, folks getting harassed while on transit. No one will step in. I wouldn't be surprised if someone was dying that folks might step over them or around them, it's that socialized.

This may have changed in the EU, but when I was there it just wasn't comparable at all. The US model for transit has soured me a bit on transit. At some point you need to make it so it serves the 95% that want a safe ride, perhaps doing on call pickup transits for those struggling with mental health / drug and other issues who still need to get places?

Bottom line though - I'd encourage govt to create safe options people WANT to use vs focusing on banning things (out here major efforts to get uber banned so taxi cartels could take over again with their "broken" credit card meters, unreliable pickups, failures to service areas etc).

[wolverine876]

Where do you ride public transit? I use it regularly. I've never seen violence, there is plenty of public input, and for specific needs, the personnel generally are helpful.