Comment Re:Wonders of Public Transportation (Score 2) 257
Sounds pretty bad, but I don't think this necessarily applies to the experience in general.
I get the bus and cycle to work on alternate days (in Dundee, Scotland). I've never driven to work; I'd either have to pay through the nose for a parking permit and still have to find a free space or park on one of the nearby streets which would require getting there around 08:00 to get a spot, neither of which are worth the time, money or effort. And the time difference is in practice negligable. I have to leave 10 minutes earlier, big deal. In winter I'd be wasting that time defrosting and warming up the car. The busses are generally kept quite clean and tidy, and I've get to see any bad behaviour; the one time only I thought someone had bad personal hygiene it was a patient going to the hospital who was obviously using some skin medication, which allowances can obviously be made for. Rather than drive, I get 30 minutes to relax, read a book, read a newspaper, whatever, in relative warmth and comfort, which I just wouldn't get in a car. And there are usually no problems with overcrowding or the punctuality of the services, it's run pretty efficiently (I use Stagecoach and National Express routes). Honestly, I find it way more civilised and convenient than driving myself around.
Maybe there's a difference between countries here? There's no sort of social stigma in using a bus here, it's just one of the options available here, and a good one.
Regards,
Roger