[signatoremo]

GP said upgrading, not replacement. Bus or train currently can’t do last mile. Without a viable option people may opt for cars instead of bus or train. This will help, not replace, public transportation. It may make bus/train more popular.

[asdff]

A 5000lb car to move a <200lb person is a terrible last mile option. There has never been a better time for last mile options than today. On the train I see all sorts of bikes, ebikes, escooters, and skateboards being used.

[xnx]

Electric microtransit is awesome in the right situation: able bodied, acceptable weather, minimal cargo, traveling solo, secure vehicle storage at destination. Waymo vehicles will be an excellent tool in the toolkit for moving people safely, efficiently, and affordably.

[asdff]

That right situation describes the vast majority of peoples trips. Not many disabled people hauling a cord of wood through a blizzard very often. Most peoples trips by far are their single occupant commute to and from work.

[pastage]

Everything that's easy to reach on a bicycle is also easy to reach on a mobility scooter, see Netherlands

[AndrewDucker]

Bus gets me from 50m from my house to 50m from my office. How is that not doing the last mile?

[xnx]

That's very fortunate or very strategic of you to choose your home and workplace to work so well with the bus routes. Most people in the US do not have a bus stop within 50 meters of their home and workplace (and certainly not a single bus line that operates frequently at all times needed).

[AndrewDucker]

Absolutely. Outside of cities personal car-based makes a lot of sense.

Inside a city is a different matter.

(See this for an example of what a pretty good transport setup can give you: https://www.lothianbuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2509... )

[xnx]

Getting maximum efficient use out of rail, trains, buses, roads, and vehicles is the goal. The fewer empty seats moved, the better.