I seldom get them either but I'd fix it. If I couldn't most of my commuting routes parallel bus routes so I'd use them.

I don't get the cell phone generation, however. Riding along in the cold and you get a flat. Your choices are to fix it, walk home (or to a bus stop) or call someone. If you fix it, you may get a little cold but usually your are active and can keep a bit of heat going. Walking keeps the heat flowing too. Waiting for someone to come a pick you up means standing around in wet clothes in less clothing than you should be wearing for standing around in. I think I'd pack the tires with grass before I waited for a ride