It's going to be at least 40 minutes to get anywhere in metro Atlanta. My parents both have about a 45 minute one-way commute everyday for work. That has become the accepted reality here in the Atlanta area. The vast number of cars is overwhelming! This means daily traffic jams and an ungodly amount of pollution. This is not unique to Atlanta. I am sure all big cities across the country face similar situations, and I'd venture to guess that even smaller cities are beginning to face the same problem.
At this point, I think most people with an awareness and concern about environmental issues (or even stress issues, ha!) would agree that public transportation is a good alternative. Yet, why are there not more people using public transportation? I suggest the following reasons:
1. It's inconvenient. We like to come and go as we please and not have to structure our lives around bus/train schedules.
2. It's overcrowded. In a city like Atlanta, where the population is busting at the seams, many people are indeed using public transit, and that may be a turn-off for some.
3. The weather makes it undesirable. I lived in Wisconsin for 10 years, and it's absolutely painful to stand at the bus stop when it's -20 degrees.
4. It's not suitable for your destination. Perhaps public transportation doesn't service your location of origin or your destination.
I could go on and on with reasons why people choose not to use public transportation (and many are legit or at least understandable), but there's one reason in particular that I find sociologically compelling. Social class!
Historically, riding public transportation has been associated with lower classes. Many believe that, back in the day, public buses would have huge windows so that everyone could see the passengers. This was at a time when the majority of bus passengers were African-Americans. It was a form of humiliation for the poor and minorities. Could it be that this old-school classism is still keeping people from utilizing public transportation?
I was just about to say social class was the issue when I was half way through this blog! Great minds! I think it is definately a stigma, but moreso, those with money don't want to deprive themselves of a private, clean car that goes on their scheduel to their destinations. Public transportation is dirty, and frankly, a little sketch.
Haha! A little sketch indeed! I happen to enjoy the sketchiness. Something crazy always happens on public transportation. Lots of interesting people.
You probably have to ride the Marta don't you? I think I've been on it once. I visit Georgia twice a year to see my aunt and uncle.
Yep, MARTA indeed! I've never been on the public bus. I often take the train when I'm going downtown to avoid the horrendous parking situation. I don't go downtown often though.