zlacker

>>amathe+(OP)
It’s odd to me that these anti-car polemics never talk about why Americans don’t want to ride public transit, while people in most other countries have zero issues adopting it wholesale. Instead they just make it into a simplistic, moralistic crusade about how the suburban car owners are evil people, told from the perspective of a righteous city-dweller.

Here’s a better theory: because American public transit is, when compared with the alternatives, not safe, not clean, and not convenient. Take LA, probably the most car-dependent big city in America. Riding the bus or subway in LA is not an enjoyable experience. Nor is it enjoyable to walk around the areas where the stops are. If I were trying to get more people to use public transit, I’d start by making the stations and buses/subways beautiful, clean, safe places that are just nice urban places to hang out in. There’s no need to make it a moral crusade; just offer a better product and more people will use it.

>>keifer+Vc
Come to Sacramento and ride the light rails end to end. It isn't rocket surgery.

>>fwungy+eo1
I don't get what your point is, if you could explain please. I live in Sacramento, but I rarely use the light rail. And I almost never use cars.

>>BrianH+fI1
Depending on the route and the time of day you'll find homeless, nodded out addicts, groups of bored young people looking for a happening, insane people, and sanitary issues.

Depends where and when you're going, and some is just plain luck, or lack of it.

>>fwungy+dQ1
Thanks. I wasn’t sure were you suggesting it was fine or awful!

I’ve only ever taken the Gold line, and it’s been uneventful. But, as I say, not often.