[sillyfluke]

Perhaps experiences like yours is why I was downvoted for my London comment. But we are talking relative to the US here, and I do believe there is no comparison. I also found the bus network rather extensive and frequent in the suburban areas, and not unpleasant compared to other countries.

Senior citizens are also more flexible with their travel times and often have the luxury of avoiding rush hour

Many western economic powerhouses of old seem to be facing the same infrastructure problems, whereas autocratic countries that are building everything from scratch appear to have their shit together by comparison. It's not good PR unfortunately.