Herein lies the big problem (as noted). People want it "convenient" which really means "personal service" - it's not good enough if it doesn't go right up to their door when they want it. This is much more important with these people that want to live in such isolated places - they are beligerent and numerous. For the town I mentioned that I could run three miles and get around, a majority of people lived in the areas around it, including me (growing up). I lived two miles from the next nearest house (that's low-average compared to some) and 10 miles to the nearest town of any sizable population - 950 (again low average), and 25 miles to the nearest town that had any services (grocery shopping, etc). You can definitely say "isolated maintenance nightmare" and even then transportation was such a problem that I had few to no friends my own age growing up.

This describes a majority of the country (I'd say 90% of the land area), and the problem is you can't personally serve all of those people with the transportation system. Ultimately, though, they will all have to rethink their convienence and their need to be isolated hermits, especially with this rise in gas prices. I see no transit changes from them - some drive 30+ miles (one way!) 2 or 3 times a week to go to the same places I go to in town on my bike.

I'll say it. Americans are selfish boorish pigs that are not apt to change their ways unless they are forced to. They will starve themselves to feed their vehicle gas before they think of changing their ways. It's definitely true of many I know. I can go every place in this town I'm in now on my bike (or walk) without a problem, and that is true of most, but few will ever consider not using the car, even for a very short trip. Of course, you got the issue of the disabled or elderly, but you can always run specific bus services for them that can go up to their door and take them to the nearest public transportation hub (it already happens for what I see, it's called OATS here).