The problem with the US is that everything is so large. So instead of optimising for space and transport like Europe did, historically our cities started as ports, and towns were individual ranches. When that became more developed, the towns were too close together to justify building full services, businesses, transportation, etc, into all of them. But now because of that, we developed everything around 60+ mile commutes, etc, so everyone outside of the cities needs a car, and there’s too many of the ‘micro-cities’ spaced miles apart to build trains. Too close to justify trains, but too far to walk or cycle. The only thing that might work is buses, but even then the routes would be so convoluted that it’s been hard to implement at least in my region (believe me, we try)… Everything is so stupidly spaced out that trips that really should be on foot like in Europe require a car here…
When I started my current job I was I switched to cars because of this. While my home town was great in terms of PT and I had a bus stop next to the house, where I worked I would have had to walk 20 minutes - about as long as my complete car commute.
Then last summer I re-ran the numbers taking into account the advent of e-scooters. I could now get to work about as fast as by car but so much more comfortable. I absolutely loved it and reignited my love for PT.
I do a 20 minute walk from the bus stop to work everyday, it’s truly not as bad as it seems. It sucks on hot days but dress light and even an umbrella and you can make it work.
Found the person that never left the suburban house they paid 2000000$ for in the middle of nowhere. With reasonable high density housing it is absolutely possible to live within walking distance of a bus or even subway stop.
So you live at the combined bus/train station and work at another bus/train station with a direct link - that’s cool.
If you live an 8 hour drive away from your job I think that’s a bigger problem than focusing on the lack of last mile transportation in the US 😳
The problem with the US is that everything is so large. So instead of optimising for space and transport like Europe did, historically our cities started as ports, and towns were individual ranches. When that became more developed, the towns were too close together to justify building full services, businesses, transportation, etc, into all of them. But now because of that, we developed everything around 60+ mile commutes, etc, so everyone outside of the cities needs a car, and there’s too many of the ‘micro-cities’ spaced miles apart to build trains. Too close to justify trains, but too far to walk or cycle. The only thing that might work is buses, but even then the routes would be so convoluted that it’s been hard to implement at least in my region (believe me, we try)… Everything is so stupidly spaced out that trips that really should be on foot like in Europe require a car here…
I genuinely do, actually.
I live quite near an intersection with bus stops, tram stops, AND underground metro train stops. (Sörnäinen, Helsinki)
My work is in (Pasila, Helsinki) which has literally an intercity train station, and also tram stops and bus stops.
When I started my current job I was I switched to cars because of this. While my home town was great in terms of PT and I had a bus stop next to the house, where I worked I would have had to walk 20 minutes - about as long as my complete car commute.
Then last summer I re-ran the numbers taking into account the advent of e-scooters. I could now get to work about as fast as by car but so much more comfortable. I absolutely loved it and reignited my love for PT.
I do a 20 minute walk from the bus stop to work everyday, it’s truly not as bad as it seems. It sucks on hot days but dress light and even an umbrella and you can make it work.
Found the person that never left the suburban house they paid 2000000$ for in the middle of nowhere. With reasonable high density housing it is absolutely possible to live within walking distance of a bus or even subway stop.