Public Transport

[LitNetIsGreat]

:cuss:Anybody else absolutely hate public transport? Is it just me or is the joy of the buses not turning up AT ALL just beyond fun? This is the third time that the buses have not turned up from town to my home, meaning that I have had to pay for a private hire vehicle, otherwise know as a taxi. Needless to say I am not happy. Public transport, certainly under the privatized farce we have in the UK, is awful. Anybody else hate it?

I am going to get my money back for the cost of the taxis, if not I'm going to smash a few bus stops up to make me feel better.

:cuss::crash:

The Neely is very mad. Going to use my bike in future and sod the damn crappy buses. Is it just me or is it a general hate thing?

Public transport. Discuss...

[Maryd.]

Neely, you and me both... I hate public transport with a vengeance. Half the times I start walking until I reach the next bus stop and the next and the next. It takes me 25 minutes to walk home and almost 30 minutes between bus times, when something goes wrong. And something always goes wrong when I need to use public transport. Which isn't often considering I have a car.
It has me fuming....:cuss::cuss::cuss:

[OrphanPip]

I'm quite happy with the metro and bus service in Montreal. During peek commuting time the buses pass every 6 minutes, and the trains go in a loop so they pass at 10 minute intervals usually, if there isn't some sort of delay.

I hear it's bad for the commuter trains to the suburbs though, the trains only go once an hour. Likewise, I can only imagine how awful a bus ride across the bridges is. Only the insane would live outside the city without a car anyway.

Edit: Our transit company is publicly owned, not private.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Thank you Maryd, I now feel that it is not just me going mad, you even have it at the other side of the globe. Why the hell do we put up with it?

Edit: oh, thanks Ophan too. London however in comparison is fantastic for public transport from what I can gather. Tubes are like every 4 mintues or something silly, maybe like in the heart of Montreal? Outside of that though and it is every poor man for himself.

I'm still going to raise hell tomorrow...or actually Monday because the complaint lines are not open until then, I know I have just rung them...

[Delta40]

I love public transport. It promotes better health and if Maryd has to walk from bus stop to bus stop when she normally would not then at the very least she is doing her body a favour. The statistics on car usage in Australia is disgusting. We have more four-wheel drive vehicles per capita than even the US, yet the average car journey here is between 1-5km long!

Travelsmart studies show people who use public transport are usually more healthier than car only users. It also shows that public transport is determined by the number of users. If very few people use public transport, the service is less likely to be tailored to the users needs. In other words, if we don't use it, we lose it - primarily to hard infrastructure policies, increased costs and more damage to the environment.

[Maryd.]

I love public transport. It promotes better health and if Maryd has to walk from bus stop to bus stop when she normally would not then at the very least she is doing her body a favour.

This is partially true. I am into heath and would workout just the same. But the public transport is a service and a service such as it... Needs top be prompt. Especially since some people cannot drive and need to make appointments on time. When I was younger and travelled by train. I was late for work many times. As two trains in a row were cancelled. That is a 25 minute wait at the trains station. It happened often and there were times I would leave even earlier, to catch an early train, leaving me 45 minutes earlier for work... The timing is ridiculous



if we don't use it, we lose it...
Then they should improve the service... :ack2:

[Delta40]

Actually, I've experienced Melbourne PT and Perth is better! The government won't put money into improving a service if the usage is not there.

[Maryd.]

So Typical. But the usage is there... People stand cramped and leaning on each other... Especially during the peek hour... Argh! There's no use complaining. Nobody is listening.

[Delta40]

lol. It can be frustrating.

[Maryd.]

:( :(

[Virgil]

That's why I drive. If it weren't for parking issues in New York City, I would never take public transportation. It's rare that a bus leaves you off exactly where you want to be anyway. I have to walk five to ten minutes to a bus stop, wait fifteen minutes or more, and then walk ten minutes on the destination end. That's over a half hour each way not even counting the bus trip. I prefer to have the freedom to go where I want when I want.

[Delta40]

I find this a really useful tool where I am. I don't have a license and this planner helps me get around and cuts down on my waiting time. when you sign up with them, you will receive email/sms alerts to any changes or interruptions in schedules

http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Home/JourneyPlanner/tabid/56/Default.aspx

[Basil]

I couldn't help but be reminded of this classic from the Onion (http://www.theonion.com/articles/report-98-percent-of-us-commuters-favor-public-tra,1434/):

WASHINGTON, DC–A study released Monday by the American Public Transportation Association reveals that 98 percent of Americans support the use of mass transit by others....

Collier said he hopes the study serves as a wake-up call to Americans. In conjunction with its release, the APTA is kicking off a campaign to promote mass transit with the slogan, "Take The Bus...I'll Be Glad You Did."

[plainjane]

If I lived in the City, it'd be fairly decent, but out in the country/boondocks there isn't any public transport. I took public transport, buses and streetcars for many years, and it wasn't so bad. I had an extra hour and a half a day reading time. :cool: Their frequency wasn't too bad at peek times and the walk to the nearest bus was good for me, unless of course it was storming.

[Delta40]

I couldn't help but be reminded of this classic from the Onion (http://www.theonion.com/articles/report-98-percent-of-us-commuters-favor-public-tra,1434/):

WASHINGTON, DC–A study released Monday by the American Public Transportation Association reveals that 98 percent of Americans support the use of mass transit by others....

Collier said he hopes the study serves as a wake-up call to Americans. In conjunction with its release, the APTA is kicking off a campaign to promote mass transit with the slogan, "Take The Bus...I'll Be Glad You Did."

LMAO! That's so typical of our human nature! How do we find a solution with this attitude?

[OrphanPip]

I have rarely ever been to a part of Montreal that wasn't within 10 minutes walk of a metro station. I imagine the other parts are inhabited by dragons.

[JuniperWoolf]

I used to have to take the bus down Whyte Ave to get to the U of A. There was always one along every ten minutes or so, but it was Whyte Ave so almost every time I got on the bus it was packed, and there were at least four crazy people. That's why I hate the bus, you've got two inches between you and the guy who's asking you if he can keep a piece of your hair.

[OrphanPip]

There was always one along every ten minutes or so, but it was Whyte Ave so almost every time I got on the bus it was packed, and there were at least four crazy people. That's why I hate the bus, you've got two inches between you and the guy who's asking you if he can keep a piece of your hair.

I grew up down the street from a mental hospital, so that just makes me feel at home ;). Actually, even if I didn't grow up near a mental hospital, crazy people would still remind me of home.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I love public transport. It promotes better health and if Maryd has to walk from bus stop to bus stop when she normally would not then at the very least she is doing her body a favour. The statistics on car usage in Australia is disgusting. We have more four-wheel drive vehicles per capita than even the US, yet the average car journey here is between 1-5km long!

Travelsmart studies show people who use public transport are usually more healthier than car only users. It also shows that public transport is determined by the number of users. If very few people use public transport, the service is less likely to be tailored to the users needs. In other words, if we don't use it, we lose it - primarily to hard infrastructure policies, increased costs and more damage to the environment.

Sure the idea behind public transport is great, but the reality is not, as Maryd pointed out. I'm not supporting cars either, I haven't got one and would be put off by all the expense which comes with owning one, though when public transport can be so bad I can see why people would use them.

What's even better is a bike, but it can be impractical at times. Say for example if you are going for a drink, it's not a good idea - though my brother always rides when he's had beer, I think it is not such a good move. Besides, you then have to lock the bike up and hope it has not been stolen. I also have to wear special shoes with my bike, the one's which clip onto the pedals, this means taking a spare pair of shoes with you if you want to walk as well. Not too practical really. And then you get oil on your jeans...

Like others, I used to enjoy reading on the buses or the trains, but these days there seems to be more idiots with silly mobile phones and MP3s blurring out so even that simple pleasure becomes a pain.

I don't suppose there is ever a true answer to the problems and frustrations of transport.

[kiki1982]

Sure the idea behind public transport is great, but the reality is not, as Maryd pointed out. I'm not supporting cars either, I haven't got one and would be put off by all the expense which comes with owning one, though when public transport can be so bad I can see why people would use them.

What's even better is a bike, but it can be impractical at times. Say for example if you are going for a drink, it's not a good idea - though my brother always rides when he's had beer, I think it is not such a good move. Besides, you then have to lock the bike up and hope it has not been stolen. I also have to wear special shoes with my bike, the one's which clip onto the pedals, this means taking a spare pair of shoes with you if you want to walk as well. Not too practical really. And then you get oil on your jeans...

Like others, I used to enjoy reading on the buses or the trains, but these days there seems to be more idiots with silly mobile phones and MP3s blurring out so even that simple pleasure becomes a pain.

I don't suppose there is ever a true answer to the problems and frustrations of transport.

It can be quite a pain these days yes (hear me, I sound like an old woman now).

We (hubby and I) have no car either and I certainly am also put off by the idea and all the expenses. I think I would consider to buy one (not on credit) when finally insurances make you pay according to how many hours you are on the road. Because now, you almost have to use your car in order to be able not to really throw a lot of money away on your car insurance. And I would still only use it to go shopping maybe, and maybe also to go to the odd furniture shop? Getting a driving license on its own would probably be better, as we can then rent a car when we need it.

That said, we do evrything by bike. In Germany, wine area, that is great, though, because there are cycle paths all along the Mosel and Saar. So no roads with cars for us when we go shopping 8 km away (16 in total). We do this once a week, apart from in the winter. Then we go by train. And you can actually take your bike on the trains for free, so you can go from the one town to the other and cycle there or cycle back entirely (which we do regularly too as Trier is too far away to do both ways). It's a beautiful area to cycle as well and you have a whole day out, so good for all :). We don't tend to cycle in the middle of the night, though, after a drink, as it is way too dark and you can only see where your light is shining. So, when you stop, nothing. Not really fun. So we just take the train home. Though when we lived in Belgium we used to cycle home after a drink. But we never got too hammered :smilewinkgrin:.

The train costs a lot in Germany, but you do get punctual service and things like free bike/buggy spaces.

I think our most recent buy, our bike trailer, is one of the best buys we have made. It gives us more freedom, provided the freedom isn't too heavy.

[Patrick_Bateman]

I am the biggest snob when it comes to public transport, particularly the peasant wagon (bus)

I even missed a day at Uni once since my car was getting its MOT and I refused to get on a bus.

[Emil Miller]

The situation in London is a lot better since the nationalised monolithic London Transport was broken up. Buses, which ran completely contrary to time tables now have to compete for custom and are pretty regular. The underground system is a bit more problematical because for decades no contingency sum was set aside for repairs and the signalling system fell in to decay which meant frequent delays. This is now being sorted out but it means whole sections of the network are often closed at night and weekends.
On the whole, things have improved since the introduction of Transport for London although there is still cause for complaint. The main one being why the hell doesn't government force, yes force, the public sector to extend flexi hours across the board and avoid the horrific travelling conditions during the rush hour? The stress on people as well as the rolling stock is quite simply ridiculous and unnecessary.

[Paulclem]

Like you Neely, I found it impossible to get around efficiently enough on the bus, and I usually take my bike. This is because Coventry is too small for the private bus company to have such an extensive bus service. It is different in Birmingham - 45 mins away - where there are buses every 6 mins in the city.

On a day when I might teach three sessions - morning afternoon and night - I could spend 3 and a half hours on the bus. This wasn't horrible - I just read a lot, and public transport is more relaxing than driving unless you get on a packed bus. It was just unfeasable.

At least you realise you're a snob Patrick, which is to your credit. I have met quite a fw people who wouldnt be seen dead on a bus.

On Brian's comment - I think there was a pre-privatisation thrust by govt - the conservatives - to run down BR and no doubt the Tube etc. The only people who won with that pivatisation were the shareholders and owners. It means that the service in smaller communities has been scald back. Sheffield hung on for a long time with a regular, subsidised service that was the cheapest in Yorkshire. Profit has replaced service, and the number of cars has gone up. Now the thrust is to reduce cars - or at last emissions, but there really is no political will to grasp that nettle.Who would go on a bus rather than their car?

[Delta40]

I hear travelling distances in UK are extraordinarily long based on infrastructure.

[Paulclem]

I hear travelling distances in UK are extraordinarily long based on infrastructure.

Do you mean travelling time Delta? If so they are. I went on a Frech fast train from Lyon to Paris a few years ago- 250 miles or so in 2 hours. Excellent, but there were no cities on the way. England - went from Coventry West Midlands to Glasgow 300 miles. Set off at 7 am arrived 2pm because of all the stops. 45 mins on a plane.

[kiki1982]

I also think that the English rail system, as Doctor Beeching made it in the sixties (?), of what I gather that is, is largely based on two lines north on each side of the island of Great Britain and in the middle, nothing. So if you are on one of the sides or close to it and live somewhere in the middle in Scotland, you have to make an angle of 90° which will take a lot of time. The link for Wales is one line, if I am not mistaken. If you live in the north of Wales, that's you done for... In the south, I am not confident how it is. Possibly better as there are more people, or at least around London. The further you go, the worse it will become obviously.
The worst thing in Britain though, I find, is the huge cost for bad service. I can't remember, but monthly tickets for something like 200 pounds (please tell me if I am exaggerating) :eek: for trains that always run late and are packed (jam-packed so nobody else can get in, no exaggeration) every day. I mean, for that price, you are definitely able to run a car.

[Scheherazade]

Too expensive. It is amazing, really; sometimes, if you are with family and friends, you are better off taking a cab than actually using the public transportation (especially for shorter distances).

[Emil Miller]

I also think that the English rail system, as Doctor Beeching made it in the sixties (?),

Ah yes, the silly sixties when common sense went out of the window.
The Beeching plan reduced the UK's railways by a third, leaving countless villages completely cut off from the system. It was a deliberate policy to get people to buy cars because the British motor industry was being swamped by German, Italian and French models. The plan was that if we amalgamated our manufacturers under the BMC ( British Motor Corporation ) we would be able to take on the continental giants. However, we were Johnny come lately's in the game and simply couldn't compete. The whole scheme finally fell apart and we were left with no motor industry and a decimated railway system.

[Paulclem]

Ah yes, the silly sixties when common sense went out of the window.
The Beeching plan reduced the UK's railways by a third, leaving countless villages completely cut off from the system. It was a deliberate policy to get people to buy cars because the British motor industry was being swamped by German, Italian and French models. The plan was that if we amalgamated our manufacturers under the BMC ( British Motor Corporation ) we would be able to take on the continental giants. However, we were Johnny come lately's in the game and simply couldn't compete. The whole scheme finally fell apart and we were left with no motor industry and a decimated railway system.

Yes. Short sighted. Now the road systems can't cope with the volumes of traffic which are predicted to increase x 4, and the cars, (x2 per family often), are a must have. There's no will to go back, but the attempts to design and sell smaller, greener cars have been sluggish as people want hulking 4x4s - not for rough terrain but in cities.

Oh no - I'm ranting again. I'll have to book another session. I'm sure I've seen Neely there too...:lol:

[LitNetIsGreat]

Ha, ha ranting away, too true though, it's crazy - what a set-up in the 60s with that and the buildings! Scher is right though, can be too expensive, costs us 10p more to get a taxi to the park as opposed to the bus??

Got to tell you about my bus journey today. Here goes, a typical Neely bus journey. We decided to go to the Chatsworth estate today, half-term, nice weather, missed it in the summer. http://www.chatsworth.org/ We had a great time by the way, but the bus journey was a pain - i.e. typical:

Chatsworth House distance from my house - 17.1 miles.

Walk to the bus stop 5 min
Wait for the bus 10 min
Journey to town 20 min
Walk to the bus stop 5 min
Wait for the bus (every hour) 45 min
Get on the first bus, ticket machine breaks down
engineer is called but can't fix it, move to another 20 min
bus
On another bus. The doors aren't working properly 10 min
wait until they are fixed
Journey to Chatsworth 50 min

Total time = 2 hours 45 minutes
Distance = 17.1 miles
:brickwall
(Total Cost = £20.00+ return)

Oh, you could probably do that in 35 minutes in a car, 45 min max?

Then the return journey...

[prendrelemick]

A bus is a treat for me, because there are none left round here, and I HATE driving.

[Paulclem]

It surprises me that there are lots of people who don't like driving. I used to listen to the ladies in the staff room at one of my schools telling stories of how they'd work out routes to work by only ever turning left etc. It would be ladies - blokes would never admit to it.

I think many in the cities get by through using tried and trusted routes. No wonder there's chaos when there are roadworks or only selected roads gritted in winter during snow.

[OrphanPip]

(Total Cost = £20.00+ return)


That price is obscene, I get unlimited bus and metro use for 70 dollars a month.

[Virgil]

It surprises me that there are lots of people who don't like driving. I used to listen to the ladies in the staff room at one of my schools telling stories of how they'd work out routes to work by only ever turning left etc. It would be ladies - blokes would never admit to it.

Only turning left? I've heard of people doing routes only making right turns. Left turns across traffic are the most dangerous of the routine driving manuevers.

Or wait. You guys drive on the opposite side than us. Is a right turn across the oncomiing traffic in England?

[mercy_mankind]

Public transport should be called the torment journey here in Egypt....And driving is no more different, especially in Cairo because of the traffic jam which is caused, in most cases by the VIPs ;)

[Paulclem]

Only turning left? I've heard of people doing routes only making right turns. Left turns across traffic are the most dangerous of the routine driving manuevers.

Or wait. You guys drive on the opposite side than us. Is a right turn across the oncomiing traffic in England?

Yes - right across the traffic.

I think it was when they'd just started driving and were less confident.

[LitNetIsGreat]

A bus is a treat for me, because there are none left round here, and I HATE driving.

You wouldn't think that if you had to use them!


That price is obscene, I get unlimited bus and metro use for 70 dollars a month.

It is, using public transport is often not a cheap option, but if you get a car you are screwed even more over here so you can't win either way (bike lanes are virtually non-existent too - see blog). I can get cheap student travel on certain buses, on certain routes, but overall it's not good, it's not cheap or reliable, it's pretty poor - at least in my part of the world.

[prendrelemick]

You ae right of course Neely, Its when you HAVE to use them they are a pain.

Sheffield used to boast one of the best and cheapest (subsidised) bus services in the country until deregulation. Thats all gone then?

[clguerra]

Where I live public transport is somewhat annoying, and keeps getting expensive every year. I prefer walking a lot more.

[JuniperWoolf]

(Total Cost = £20.00+ return)

That's amazing. In Edmonton you could take a cab for that much.

[LitNetIsGreat]

You ae right of course Neely, Its when you HAVE to use them they are a pain.

Sheffield used to boast one of the best and cheapest (subsidised) bus services in the country until deregulation. Thats all gone then?

Yes I would say that outside of London, Sheffield used to have one of the best public transport systems I believe, though I was too small to really appreciate it at the time, but now it has all gone public and to the dogs for sure. As I say, some routes have companies competing that bring benefits for the passenger, but other less popular routes mean long waits, or a crossed pair of fingers if they turn up at all (cost effectiveness in action!). Not good honestly.


Where I live public transport is somewhat annoying, and keeps getting expensive every year. I prefer walking a lot more.

You are quite correct, I do too. I walk as much as possible, including a 2 mile walk to work each day, I refuse to get the bus for that, even though I could. The problem is that people will wait for the bus for half of that journey, lazy if you ask me, but it is up to them!


That's amazing. In Edmonton you could take a cab for that
much.

Well that is the second reply regarding the cost of the journey (don't forget it took me 2 hours and 45 mintues too) so maybe that is looking more expensive all the time - (I did have me and Mrs Neely and a young one though, does that make a difference? Seems to me a cost when considered the hassle though. Rip off Britain though as well, don't forget that...I'm sure we just seem to think it is all normal.

[Paulclem]

I was in the bus station today with Mrs P, and they were checking the passengers on a notorious bus route with a drug dog. Nice dog - spaniel. Horrible bus route - though it's a good service as it runs from one deprived area - through town - to aother. It's a bendy bus as well. Lots of room.

I've never had any trouble on the bus - not with my features, but it does happen on certain routes. And don't get on between 3-4 pm. Hell with the schoolkids.

[kiki1982]

Yup, that is a lot Neely. Taxis are great if there are several people in the cab... Doesn't cost more.

And not to mention the dirt in some busses! I went on a bus once in Orpington (South London, just Kent). Oh my God! I was wearing sandals and long long trousers... I picked them up off the floor and was like 'eww, make sure I don't get my feet or toes on the floor.' Really, Coke, bottles, crumbs, pieces of hamburger, you name it. That was the last time I ever wore sandals there on a day where we were possibly going to travel by bus.
Trains are not cleaner after a night out... My hubby says the reason why there are no bins is still the IRA. Why people can't wait to throw their rubbish away, is beyond me, though...

[Revolte]

I'd have to pay money just to get a bus out to my house! I'd rather take a horse, but I don't have her anymore so.. Public transportation seems like a horror story for me, one BUMPS = bad in many ways, two well yah know, your average half naked, really drunk bus rider. Taxis aren't that bad though, up north in san fran they are a joy to ride in, one of the only fun things about that city, unless of course you enjoy walking upward for a million miles, 'cause you aren't going to drive if you have a sane mind.

[Paulclem]

I'd have to pay money just to get a bus out to my house! I'd rather take a horse, but I don't have her anymore so.. Public transportation seems like a horror story for me, one BUMPS = bad in many ways, two well yah know, your average half naked, really drunk bus rider. Taxis aren't that bad though, up north in san fran they are a joy to ride in, one of the only fun things about that city, unless of course you enjoy walking upward for a million miles, 'cause you aren't going to drive if you have a sane mind.

It's a cycle of neglect though. People don't, or can't use bus, so the service is shrunk, and only those in poverty/ the aged etc etc use it - including teens who have no car/ capital. So the bus routes deteriorate, more people don't use the bus etc

I know what you mean Kiki, about the dirty buses. In our city, there were lots of complaints, and so they have cleaners at the bus station who jump on and clear up the rubbish between journeys - coke bottles, burgers - (which tells you the littering demographic). It's been much better since.

I often hear people moaning that they have to use the bus if their car is in for a service or whatever. There are lots of reasons why people should use the bus instead of cars - pollution, energy conservation, short journeys - how many people do you see sharing a car? If more did, then the buses would have to accommodate them and increase the service for profit. Then old Neely would be a happier chappie - and me!

[kiki1982]

It's a cycle of neglect though. People don't, or can't use bus, so the service is shrunk, and only those in poverty/ the aged etc etc use it - including teens who have no car/ capital. So the bus routes deteriorate, more people don't use the bus etc


That's right. Problem is that people do not want to understand in some cases. My father in law (in Britain) keeps asking why we still do not have a car or aren't even considering one. Well, just, because... bus/train/bike is easy and the car is not necessary?? And we can read on the bus/train and not in a car while getting stressed at the guys in front of us???


I know what you mean Kiki, about the dirty buses. In our city, there were lots of complaints, and so they have cleaners at the bus station who jump on and clear up the rubbish between journeys - coke bottles, burgers - (which tells you the littering demographic). It's been much better since.

Ok, so that's a relief. I have seen cleaners around on the trains. Though then it depends where you get on, I guess...


I often hear people moaning that they have to use the bus if their car is in for a service or whatever. There are lots of reasons why people should use the bus instead of cars - pollution, energy conservation, short journeys - how many people do you see sharing a car? If more did, then the buses would have to accommodate them and increase the service for profit. Then old Neely would be a happier chappie - and me!

It's sad, isn't it. I mean, fancy being stuck in one of those many traffic jams without anyone to talk to. What do you do? A yes, the top 5: reading (:eek:), putting on make-up (for the women), picking your nose, phoning, eating... You can do all that in a bus without watching the bum of the one before you and being interupted once in a while...

[SilentMute]

I love taking the bus! I hate cars and driving. Actually, I hate other drivers--particularly ones that text or do something else while driving.

BUT...public transit does have its set backs.
1) If the route isn't popular, it is always in danger of being cut--or the buses only come every half hour to forty-five minutes. They often aren't in the best of repair either.
2) If the weather is bad, it isn't fun to wait for buses.
3) I don't like taking the bus at night.
4) There are always places that are a little out of the way of bus routes, in which you would have to walk or take a cab.
5) You can't do a week's grocery shopping or carry a lot of packages--and you certainly don't want to carry around anything expensive that might attract thieves. You also don't want to carry around anything too heavy.
6) You can probably get more done in a car as far as errands because you probably don't wait around as much. You wait for the bus, the bus makes stops on the way, etc.
7) My friend was on a bus where an alcoholic got sick. The smell of the vomit was bad enough, but then it started coming down the aisle. The bus driver wasn't able to stop because there wasn't a good place.
8) If you are waiting in the elements, you're not going to look as crisp and clean. You might have sweat rings. This isn't great if you are going to work or on job interviews. And even though I carry deoderant, sometimes I still smell.

I'm not looking forward to driving, and I really wish I didn't have to. However, much as I love taking public transit and prefer it--the problems don't make it totally convenient.

[Taliesin]

It appears that the bus company servicing my town changed - I didn't really notice it during the summer&early autumn since I used the bike then, however now it seems that they have managed to create a system where in the evenings in most places buses come in threes (or twos) every half an hour. I can understand that the times are difficult economically, but it also seems that they have never heard of optimization, methinks.

Still, it's not bad during daytime. Use it daily to get to uni and back.

[Scheherazade]

however now it seems that they have managed to create a system where in the evenings in most places buses come in threes (or twos) every half an hour. http://static.letsbuyit.com/filer/images/uk/products/original/62/59/why-do-buses-come-in-threes-the-hidden-mathematics-of-everyday-life.jpeg

Interesting book! (http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=JF8r8KJmXI4C&dq=why+do+buses+come+in+threes&source=bl&ots=UHSPWEGJBj&sig=zCSPigvMbI6ESOsqMYgRUeuUw04&hl=en&ei=RJPITLv4EpLc4Aa67uTvCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAg) :D

[The Comedian]

Here's how rural my location is: we don't have any public transportation. No buses. No trains (except freight). No taxis/cabs. Nothing.

[Lulim]

Here's how rural my location is: we don't have any public transportation. No buses. No trains (except freight). No taxis/cabs. Nothing.

So what do people do who have no cars?

[OrphanPip]

So what do people do who have no cars?

I imagine they never leave the house.

Though, it's probably a lot more like the suburbs, where only a lunatic would bother to live there if they didn't have a car.

[kiki1982]

That's probably the case, yes.

Mind you, where we used to live until July (Wiltingen in Germany), with one train an hour in both directions, people used to think we were mad, having no car. Particularly in Winter. They got used to it, though, and stopped offering to take us home by car. Mainly because our bikes were always at the station. :D Anyway, so the train was the only connection to the outside world. No buses, apart from one every day in the morning and the afternoon, mainly for school children of course. Nice place, though, but no shops either, which was a little ridiculous in Winter particularly, dragging home the shopping in the dark on the back of our bikes.

However, people are so used to people having cars! Once we went to such an Ikea type shop here. We bought such a sixties-seventies lamp overhanging with a 25 kilo wait on the bottom to keep it standing. She said, 'You go with this, your receipt, to the warehouse and then you can put it in your car.' We said, 'Can't we have it delivered.' 'No,' she said, 'unfortunately not, because the warehouse is a different one from the one from where they deliver.' 'Ok, so, we do not have a car. That's why we want to have it delivered.' 'You are joking!' she said and started laughing. 'Nope, no car.' It took her a while for her to believe us. So then we bought ourselves a trailer and dragged the thing home instead of asking a friend... That's the best buy yet, I think. It's a croozer and we called him Tom. :D

Really, presuming everyone has a car.

And we get more reactions like that. But we are proud to proove to people that we can do without.

[The Comedian]

So what do people do who have no cars?

They wear out their boots rather quickly. :lol: But yep, as others have pointed out, pretty much everyone here has a car of some sort. Unlike the suburbs, however, few people have fancy or even new cars.

[Paulclem]

That's probably the case, yes.

Mind you, where we used to live until July (Wiltingen in Germany), with one train an hour in both directions, people used to think we were mad, having no car. Particularly in Winter. They got used to it, though, and stopped offering to take us home by car. Mainly because our bikes were always at the station. :D Anyway, so the train was the only connection to the outside world. No buses, apart from one every day in the morning and the afternoon, mainly for school children of course. Nice place, though, but no shops either, which was a little ridiculous in Winter particularly, dragging home the shopping in the dark on the back of our bikes.

However, people are so used to people having cars! Once we went to such an Ikea type shop here. We bought such a sixties-seventies lamp overhanging with a 25 kilo wait on the bottom to keep it standing. She said, 'You go with this, your receipt, to the warehouse and then you can put it in your car.' We said, 'Can't we have it delivered.' 'No,' she said, 'unfortunately not, because the warehouse is a different one from the one from where they deliver.' 'Ok, so, we do not have a car. That's why we want to have it delivered.' 'You are joking!' she said and started laughing. 'Nope, no car.' It took her a while for her to believe us. So then we bought ourselves a trailer and dragged the thing home instead of asking a friend... That's the best buy yet, I think. It's a croozer and we called him Tom. :D

Really, presuming everyone has a car.

And we get more reactions like that. But we are proud to proove to people that we can do without.

Neither my wife nor I drive, and so I bike, and we walk or use the bus or train. I do know others who also don't have a car. We've always lived in the city - and luckily Coventry is just big enough.