Public transport. Theory and practice

[yurana]

Soooo. In theory using the train to get to work is a good idea. Even though climate change is probably going to end us all in the foreseeable future, I can at least feel smug about it not being my fault. Also I can read or write instead of listening to the same 10 songs on the radio every morning. Also, I hate driving.
And yet, in actual practice it’s a total nightmare. The train comes too late, if it comes at all. It’s full with a lot of people, you don’t ever want to in in a small enclosed space with. The amount of coughing going on here is scary. Urgh....
I just want to be at work on time and get home again. How is that to much to ask?

Comments

[elendraug]

Years of pushing for everyone to have a privately owned vehicle and the related loans/interest/debt that go with the purchase have disincentivized any serious investment in public transportation. I can tell you that in the US there's so much urban sprawl and dysfunction that it's similarly not worth it. A common question during job interviews is "do you have reliable transportation?" which is a way to discriminate against anyone relying on public transit without "technically" asking something that would not be an equal-employment opportunity type screening question.

[yurana]

That’s really shitty, but not surprising honestly.
And it’s not like using the car is that reliable either. When public transport breaks down and everyone is using the car you’re stuck in traffic and not going anywhere either way.
I was being kind of an ass with my climate comment earlier. It’s not like most people have a choice on whether to use a car or not. It just happens that traffic and parking around here is such a nightmare that the train is actually cheaper.

[elendraug]

Oh no, I know; you're all good! I'm just so tired of the blame being laid at the feet of average people and told we're supposed to individually fix structural problems that we're trapped within, when powerful lobbying built it and fights to keep it that way.

[yurana]

I'm right there with you. The whole "it's the consumer who makes the choice" line of arguments can die in a fire as far as I'm concerned. As if normal people who just try to get through the day are the ones with the power when it comes to decisions made by large cooperations.