Originally Posted by
benda18
The OP (i think) was pointing out the shortcomings of his transit agency and how after 7 years of loyal use he basically jumped ship and got a bike. For a 4.3 mile commute who could blame him?
There is a lot to say about the state of public transit in this country, especially the work-horse local bus network. Not sexy & often ignored they suffer from generations (seriously) of complacency. Everything from "This route has always been in this neighborhood and always will" to "I need a bus stop in front of my house" are examples of attrition that in time destroy the utility of the network, but the most vocal transit advocates are banging the drums of the sexy "light rail" or streetcar projects that make a neighborhood look fun by rarely provide improved mobility for the people most likely to use transit.
A 75 minute wait is a 75 minute wait regardless of what you do in that time. Transit (and mobility in general) should provide you with the freedom to do what you want when you want. Most people don't want to sit around for 75 minutes waiting for a bus or pretty much anything in this life.
Are you by chance a transit professional?
I'll admit, I am a transit professional. In fact, I stopped bike commuting years ago and only did the activity shortly after Hurricane Sandy.
Having said that, I would not stand out in the cold for 20 minute or longer. Seriously. There should be a coffee shop, resturant or fast food joint where one could stay indoors away from the elements. I've been riding buses and trains for most of my life and most people do not make use of the bus schedule. Too often, people make transit more difficult on themselves.
I'm one of those lightrail advacates who use the system each day. Unlike the bus, my full size bike is allowed and with 15 minute wait times during rush hour, what's not to like? It's not only about transportation but about jobs and urban development as cities are looking for economic solutions in this slow growth economy. I've see this lightrail line bring in billions of new housing, hotels and business that would never have came if it were constructed.