[tomjen3]

It’s also a matter of politics. No amount of investment in public rail is going to make it so that disruptive elements are effectively removed to the same degree as in my car.

That’s before we talk availability, comfort, etc.

Other than subways, public transportation is always going to be subpar.

[Jensson]

In public transit you can sit down and read something during the ride, but not in a car. So the further you go the more public transits advantage grows as the total effort doesn't go up with distance, it is much nicer to sit in public transit for an hour than drive for an hour.

[HDThoreaun]

> it is much nicer to sit in public transit for an hour than drive for an hour.

I agree but the vast majority of people i speak to do not. They would much rather listen to a podcast or music than deal with the crazy people on public transit.

[Jensson]

> deal with the crazy people on public transit

I've never dealt with crazy people on public transit and have used it daily for decades, everyone else just wants to mind their own business, although I live in Europe. So that problem is something that isn't inherent to public transit.

In the end public transit doesn't have more crazy people than a grocery store where I live, and I don't see why there would be in USA either except if public transit is grossly mismanaged encouraging vagrants or criminals to live in them. If you throw those out just like grocery stores does then the issue is solved immediately.

[rawgabbit]

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/new-york-deploy-750-nationa...

>"Saying things are getting better doesn't make you feel better," Hochul said, "especially when you've just heard about someone being stabbed in the throat or thrown onto the subway tracks. There's a psychological impact."

[ryandrake]

Maybe the balance will change as drivers also get crazier. The roads have been like Mad Max ever since the pandemic. At some point your odds of encountering insanity might be become lower on public transport.

[thayne]

For a adults, sure. As long as there aren't a lot of transfers, and it isn't significantly slower.

If you are traveling with young children though, public transit is terrible. Even if you ignore the hastle of getting the kids on the train or bus on time, and probably having to bring a stroller with you, keeping those children entertained while moderately quiet without disturbing the other riders too much is no small feat.

[lotsoweiners]

> it is much nicer to sit in public transit for an hour than drive for an hour.

Maybe to you but certainly not to me. I’ll gladly take a considerably longer car ride in the comfort of my vehicle with my music blasting over sitting next to strangers on a train. I have no problem with public transportation existing but it isn’t something I enjoy.