American society wasn’t always so car-centric. Our future doesn’t have to be, either. » Yale Climate Connections
yaleclimateconnections.org
The surprising history of cars in the U.S. offers hope for a shift toward more climate-friendly transportation options.
  • RiderExMachina@lemmy.mlEnglish
    0·
    5 months ago

    To quote one of the commenters in the HN discussion:

    You will have to solve the epidemic of homelessness and crime in high-density areas of the United States before people will accept using mass transit. I fully support doing so - I would for example support a national project to build cheap concrete housing for all who need it - but that’s the barrier.

    I’ve straight up had people tell me that even if Public Transportation were convenient and consistent, they still wouldn’t take it because Public Transportation is famous for being pretty dirty and having large potential for crime.

    I’d like to have some sort of quick, easy solution, but I think changing that perception is going to take time, and the time the US is taking to revitalize Public Transportation isn’t making that happen any faster.

      • TheOtherThyme@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        5 months ago

        Have you ever tried to drive around NYC? You can’t. Too much traffic. Why do you think taxi cabs are so popular there if everyone wants to take the subway or a bus.

        Passenger safety is a real barrier.

        • AA5B@lemmy.worldEnglish
          0·
          5 months ago

          In my experience, people use taxis in NYC mostly because they are overwhelmed by transit. They find it easier to get a personal ride directly to their destination. I can read a sign and a map, and usually find it faster and more freeing to walk or take a train (then again, I have limited familiarity outside Manhattan and was disappointed by options in Staten Island and Long Island)