Is the automobile doomed?

**doc_bean** · 09-05-2005, 16:53

Public transport is great in most big cities I've been to. Vienna had an especially great system of subways. But public transport outside of major cities is just inefficient. I've wasted years of my life waiting on busses and trains already.

Personal flying 'cars' won't be a likely solution, simply because you need to meet much harder criteria to be allowed to fly than to drive. Accidents will more often be lethal, and as Gawain pointed out, the danger to the surrounding people is pretty high.

**Tachikaze** · 09-05-2005, 18:21

San Diego and Los Angeles are probably the personal car capitals of the world. Public transportation here is sparse and relatively poor, compared to the best ones I've seen. I own a small car (which my wife drives) and a small truck (for my big drums).

While I drive the truck for most errands and all music practices and gigs, I use the light rail train to go to work--and I love it! I look out the window at nearby traffic jams, glance at the gasoline prices and lay back with a contented smile on my face, continue reading/writing, or grading my students' schoolwork.

**Marcellus** · 09-05-2005, 18:45

Originally Posted by ah_dut

Not during the hours I ride on tubes but in rush hours...I'd trade places with the cattle anyday

At least it's not as bad as Tokyo - they employ people to push people onto trains (or at least they used to, I don't know if they still do).

I'm rather lucky with the underground, actually: the station that I would normally use if I use the train is Oakwood, on the Piccadilly line. It's only the second stop, so I can always get a seat, even in the height of the rush hour. Heading home is a different matter though...

But as I and others have said, I don't think that the car is doomed: it's advantages of convenience and privacy willl mean that people will have cars for years to come. However, as public transport improves and expands, I think that car use could decrease in favour of public transport, especially for commuter journeys.

**Mikeus Caesar** · 09-05-2005, 19:42

Originally Posted by doc_bean

Accidents will more often be lethal, and as Gawain pointed out, the danger to the surrounding people is pretty high.

That's what they first thought about the Automobile when it was invented. Then again, they also though that if you went over 30mph your body would explode under the force...

**Del Arroyo** · 09-05-2005, 19:50

Originally Posted by Marcellus

At least it's not as bad as Tokyo - they use people to push people onto trains (or at least they used to, I don't know if they still do).

They probably do. Pushing and shoving will occur naturally in any sufficiently large city with a sufficiently crowded metro system. They definitely do it that way in Mexico City

DA

**Papewaio** · 09-05-2005, 22:22

Sweet in Sydney I used to sit and play Diablo II on the laptop on the way to work... got quite proficient with a touch pad... but during rush hour it got quite crowded... when I stood for elderly woman they would give me queer looks... "You aren't from Sydney are you?" was stated on more then one occassion.

Taipei in Taiwan have a very very good light rail... amazing in fact.

**kiwitt** · 09-05-2005, 22:36

Public transport will never be cheap enough for me to move to. Even free is too costly for me.

I use a car, and it takes me 15 mins to get to work in congested traffic. The same journey by bus is 1 hour. This means 1.5 hours a day is wasted (both trips); waiting more , sitting more , walking more. I value my personal time at 2 x my hourly rate ($50.00). So I am spending $150 per day on using the public transport.

Fuel would have to cost 5 times as much for me to consider an alternative.

**ah_dut** · 09-06-2005, 00:07

Originally Posted by Marcellus

At least it's not as bad as Tokyo - they employ people to push people onto trains (or at least they used to, I don't know if they still do).

I'm rather lucky with the underground, actually: the station that I would normally use if I use the train is Oakwood, on the Piccadilly line. It's only the second stop, so I can always get a seat, even in the height of the rush hour. Heading home is a different matter though...

But as I and others have said, I don't think that the car is doomed: it's advantages of convenience and privacy willl mean that people will have cars for years to come. However, as public transport improves and expands, I think that car use could decrease in favour of public transport, especially for commuter journeys.

I am so lucky, it's out of this world...I go to school. Insomuch as I dodge the rush hour after school (though afterschool activities may keep me till 5.30)

I have 5 stations on the district line...it's great.

**GodsPetMonkey** · 09-06-2005, 00:12

Originally Posted by Papewaio

Sweet in Sydney I used to sit and play Diablo II on the laptop on the way to work... got quite proficient with a touch pad... but during rush hour it got quite crowded... when I stood for elderly woman they would give me queer looks... "You aren't from Sydney are you?" was stated on more then one occassion.

I have never liked Sydney's rail network... Brisbane's is ok though, just not extensive enough.