I'm retired and have few outside needs, groceries once a month, and appointments. Two cars, a Mazda MPV I'm working on with little success, and a Chevy truck I gave to my son so he could use going to and from work. Being nothing is close, I saw the bus system as my transportation.
A bike isn't a requirement (and I don't have) but sure makes it easier if one doesn't have too much to carry, a back pack holds what I need. The buses have racks to carry two bikes at a time and a monthly pass is just over $20 (U.S.) - cheap.
While it maintains regular routes, some buses that travel between the cities (and longest routes) do so on the quarter hour, so different times, some even needing to be caught away from the transfer points. There are three cities all within miles of each other, or even a sign marking the boundary where two cities meet. Each city large as this area is still growing at the rate it always has, be it an apartment complex, or a new store (three Walmart super stores are located here).
If one has a constant destination (from home to school and back) the buses work fine, but making different appointments takes planning and 2-3 hours of free time included for transfers and the extra time you give before an appointment (Almost always 30 minutes and up to an hour before is as close to a specific time one can get (here)). The routes and times always changing according to the need. Groceries I don't mess with the buses, calling for a ride for those. My Son did have my truck and felt unduly obligated.
It was too much for me time wise; taking a full day for a Doctor visit, prescriptions filled, and back or even an Eye appointment and back, very few times was more than one need met due to the distances between each. The truck now free I took it back and don't plan on using the buses on a regular basis anymore. For me this could change if more than one or two transportation options were available (overlapping schedules and different routes being covered) but that won't happen here.
There is a Dial-A-Ride option, if you can prove a disability or an inability to reach a bus stop. It's advanced notice and door to door service. I never felt right trying to exercise that option (a couple of miles walk is no big deal for me, a mile the longest I've had to make, as that buses route was temporarily down). A disability isn't defended by law but proof is required or a Doctor's expressed need; a 10-15 page request being sent with the fore mentioned item(s) for approval a prerequisite for Dial-A-Ride.
I can say as one who has tried, free dedicated transportation won't work removing drivers from the road (as the article itself proved), and if so only temporally, yet great for kids and school.