Why Does US Public Transport Suck?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- After experiencing public transport in Europe, I did a deep dive into why we don't have similar systems in the US. Which led me to ask, why does US public transport suck?
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Your video is a perfect illustration of why international travel is so important. It gives you a different perspective and a global picture vision on so many issues, public transportation in this case. Different countries make very different choices regarding public policies, like health or education. I am surprised that so many Americans ignore that the US is the only advanced country where health is for profit, is delivered at prohibitive cost, and millions are uninsured. Every other rich country has a universal healthcare system and a way longer life expectancy. Same for upper education. In the US, you get heavily indebted and take years to repay student loans, in France, I was able to go 6 years to university without paying a cent of tuition, and in Denmark, not only university is free but the government pay you to study. And yes, the US is the only country in the world with an electoral college. Everywhere else in the democratic world, the winner of the popular vote is elected. That one particularly bugs me 😅
100% agree with everything you've mentioned. It's absurd that so many have been conditioned into thinking that the US system is the only way (and anything else is communism 😂). Something inherently messed up about the late stage capitalism paradigm of basic needs becoming commodities to ensure shareholders and billionaires become richer.
I totally agree! My first international trip a few years ago actually blew my mind. In the US, you are raised to think that the way we do things, are the best ways, and that couldn't be more wrong. When I travel internationally, one of the biggest differences I notice, is that people are straight up happier in other countries. They are not isolated in the way we are, they can take care of themselves easier, and they're not drowning in debt, and it truly shows in just visiting a different country.
the USA literally subsidizes every European comfort.
The majority of defense and new medicine research and tech is spent in the USA, which the rest of the "democratic world' leeches off of.
If our system changed, that would change too.
@@xShadowChrisx Your facts are not wrong but your interpretation is. It is true that the US spend much more in R&D than the EU in percentage of GDP (about twice the amount). It allowed the creation of world leaders in technology like Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, etc. All these companies are doing business in Europe and the rest of the world at a (huge) profit. In no case they sell their services at a subsidized price, which would be illegal anyway according to the World Trade Organization rules. The EU also has world leaders in technology, particularly in aerospace (Airbus), cars, energy, food, etc. And although they sell their products in the US, they don't "subsidize" the American way of life.
To give you credit, their is one case where American consumers clearly end up subsidizing the rest of the world. As every rich country except the US has a universal health care system with drastic cost control, the large pharmaceutical companies cannot amortize their R&D costs anywhere except the US. Instead of facing a single payer representing 100% of the population who tell them at which price they can sell their pharmaceutical products, in the US, they face multiple private medical insurance companies with very little power of negotiation. As a result, the cost of any pharmaceutical product is at least 3 times in the US than in the rest of the world. Simply because big pharmas can only make a profit in the only country where health is for profit.
@@RottenlyMoodyChild You are so right. There is nothing socialist/communist in having mandatory paid vacations (6 weeks in France), mandatory paid maternity leaves, subsidized day care centers, subsidized university costs, etc. It is just about allowing the majority of the population to access a better quality of life.
Public transport is good in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Boston.
I have used it in SF, Chicago, and Boston and I agree! Although I took a train from the capital of Lansing to Chicago once and it was a nightmare lol
philly too
I'm so hyped for your urbanist and transit oriented era, Erin 😊 never thought I'd be seeing these videos on your channel, but I'm so here for it! 😅 Ford Transit Connect van life and urbanism (two things I'm passionate about on one channel 😁)
I always find those comments so weird, I can't tell if it's just bait, bots or just bad faith trolls. Regardless, it's insufferable. Anyway, all that stuff in their comments has all be debunked. But you can't convince these type of people with logic.
The anti-bike, anti-public transit, anti-pedestrian, etc people are the same on all social media platforms. I just don't argue with strangers online anymore, they will believe whatever they want and there's no convincing them.
Anways, thank you for sharing, informing and advocating for things like this. It's so important.
My other favourite things are passivhaus, single stair point access blocks, missing middle density and baugruppen.
Haha! YAY! I'm glad you like this era lol. I want to do more sit down, talking style videos so there will definitely be more in the future! the comments like that are just so dumb I legit can't even read them haha. Like it's way too complicated of an issue to try and even argue with you so I don't even try😂 i also had no idea it was so controversial to want fast trains and some bike lanes haha! I learned about passivhaus in school, maybe i should do a research video on that next!
I know, right? So much controversy for just wanting to be able to get places without having to own and drive a car.
I feel like individual cars has normalised a kind of othering and marginalisation of anyone outside of the car. The US champions individualism, and if it doesn't benefit you directly then it shouldn't be supported. Meanwhile, the more trains, buses, bike lanes (or basically any sort of public or active transit), the less cars on the road, the less traffic, etc. It benefits everyone long term. But people want to be selfish and act in their own self interest because heaven forbid their taxes benefit anyone else because that's socialism 😂 hate to break it to them but roads, gas, etc are massively subsidised.
I'd personally love a passivhaus video. I really wish it were more well known and mainstream. It's just common sense. Some great resources at House Planning Help podcast, Lloyd Alter, Passive House Plus magazine. Also the Reimagine Buildings channel here on TH-cam has done some really great videos recently. There was a fantastic new social housing passivhaus building done in NYC recently. Absolutely worth a watch! 😊💚
th-cam.com/video/JmJ6BvQkk-0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=wU-qURzyTcy888Et
How healthy housing can help rebuild lives
Great job 👏🏻
The rural juror 😂 (30 Rock reference)
Hi Erin
I Never understood why the US has never built a high speed rail system like they have in Europe.
There have been several regional projects (Florida, Texas, California), one still active between San Francisco and Los Angeles, but they failed for lack of funding and lack of a political vision. Every airport construction is publicly funded, but there is no money for high speed trains. An important issue is the cost of the right of way (expropriating owners for their land) that is prohibitive in some big city suburbs. There is also a "not in my backyard" factor. When there is a will, there is a way, but when there is no will, nothing happen. It would take very serious issues with air traffic congestion and costs to revisit these projects.
Because they want what they achieved . Americans are just servants to the automobile industry
@@Tristan_de_Kermadec Yes I agree with what you're saying.
I've never understood it either. a bit embarrassing if you ask me lol
It's against the interests of the auto industry and big oil.
Everyone knows why it sucks but nobody will ever say it out loud lol
Care to say it out loud? Or anyone else wanna say it out loud? I'm genuinely curious as a non American who would like to know why it sucks.
@@RottenlyMoodyChild anyone who actually knows say it a lot actually. The USA is big, widespread, and not nearly as densely populated as these others areas which benefit from rail.
The USA has the most robust rail system in the world... it's just for business/logistics/goods.
The american public doesn't want unprofitable tax burdens. We traditionally have always wanted taxes as low as possible.
@@xShadowChrisx doesnt excuse public transport being horrible in cities
@@peperoni_slayer8918 no it still does, less incentives to build rail, coupled with the genuine desire to ya know, not destroy people's houses.
It was kind of a huge problem that all the housing torn down for our rails already, were the people who couldn't afford to lobby against it?
@@xShadowChrisx there are also houses in european cities.
I find it very funny that one commenter thought it was because the states were more different from each other than the European countries. And therefore European countries can work together better... my dude, these countries have been fighting each other to death for thousands of years, we have not become a singularity in 70 years.
RIGHT??! Omg I wish I would have mentioned that! Like these are whole freaking countries with different languages and cultures, and histories of wars and they can still work together to make this happen!
Because the US is built around cars and that's by design from the auto industry and oil companies. I've also been to other countries and it as so easy to get around because you have access to public transportation and it affordable. Here, you need a car or you'll find it almost impossible to get around.
Afternoon from Hawaii wow love this video
I'm so glad! Hi Hawaii!
I once taken a train across the US and I have taken busses long distance and it sucks compared to driving. Maybe you can try it out and make a video on it. Steve Wallis just did a video about taking amtrak across the US. Plane is not much better. Glad to see you back and looking forward to more videos.
I have taken one train in the US. It was from the capital of Michigan to Chicago and it was horrible lolllll. It took like 3x longer than driving and super expensive. I love the idea of making a video out of a trip like that! It would be a great vlog
The same reasons the country does as a whole
hahaha
I live in your general area, a couple counties to the east. There is Amtrak through there, but it's not very useful because it's so limited on where it goes and the schedule. I live about 20 miles from the nearest train station so still need a car to get there in a reasonable amount of time. The train usually takes longer than driving to get to Chicago but it's still kind of nice to not worry about traffic or parking.
I took the Amtrak from Lansing to Chicago once! I agree that it is nice to not have to worry about parking once you get to Chicago, but I agree the schedule isn't the best and it definitely takes longer! I also found it pretty expensive when i went which is a bummer
what was the song at the end?
my city is slowly making changes to be a more bike-able, and public transit city. we're expanding our train to go to more cities, and have just added dedicated bike lanes with barriers. so many people go so upset about it, but it's nice to know that i can take a train and then cycle from there to get to my work. i feel if certain areas start making it annoying to drive places, i feel more people will look towards other options. it's just sad seeing people drive from one side of the parking lot to the other to get to another store.... like just walk???
"Without you" by Odesza! That's awesome to hear! Where is your city?? I feel the same, if driving starts getting harder, more people will be incentivized to try other methods of travel!
Haha teacher vibes coming through, giving us homework. I've been to Nicaragua and they have all types of transportation, public transport being extremely accessible because people can't afford cars. People will ride an entire family on a single bicycle or motorcycle.
Haha! I wondered if this was sounding like too much of a lesson lol! And omg yes that is such a good point with motorbikes. When I visited south east asia, that was definitely the preferred method of travel! Including whole families!
@@erin_elyse it's great though, that's you coming through right 👍😁
The U.S. was literally founded around railways. And many many cities, even relatively small ones used to have a streetcar network. Los Angeles had the largest streetcar network in the world. SO saying that the USA are too large for railways makes no sense. And remember that the EU is not that small. But then the car industry lobby started to work, and you spent BILLIONS to bulldoze your cities to make room for insane highways. And you are still wasting BILLIONS to build more pointless lanes to “fix” traffic issues that can’t be fixed by adding more lanes.But I know that due to zoning policies and unfixable current urban sprawl, the “land of free” is not free to choose how to commute, generally speaking
Well said!! Everyone's biggest argument was that the US is too large but like what?? The EU is large too and spans over so many different countries and still manages to make it work. It's like saying it's too big of a problem to even try to fix?? I think we can do better even if it is difficult... and like you said we are spending billions anyway!!
Part of it is the culture. Americans don't respect public infrastructure. They litter, talk loudly, and treat buses and trains like a trash can. That makes other people not want to use them.
Whereas in places like Japan, where there is such a culture of cleanliness and respect, it is not a problem.
I completely agree. There are soooo many times when I've been on a bus in the US and I just feel so uncomfortable. In Europe, everyone was just chilling, reading, on their phones, playing cards even!
It's about money, like you said. They want us reliant on gas and fossil fuels so that's why cars are kings. They can use gas as an excuse to invade other countries and take over land they want with impunity. Yes we are getting more electric or hybrid vehicles but definitely don't have enough charging stations across the US to make them good for a camper vehicle. I loved being in London and going on the tube. It felt so easy to get everywhere and it wasn't too expensive either. Even the trains that took you outside the city were convenient. I really liked Amsterdam when I was there too, although the bikers were definitely aggressive, haha. What you didn't mention and other people fail to realize is like, almost the entirety of Europe is connected by train. You can take a train virtually anywhere to get to any country. Yes, it's much longer than flying but it is technically possible. You can take a train underneath the English channel to France (The Chunnel, I took it with my family, it was less fun than I imagined, it really was just pitch black)! So in that sense, these numerous countries getting together and connecting up their infrastructure and America not being able to do it as 1 country really is pitiful. Anyway, thanks for the vid!
Thanks for sharing!! That's an excellent point on reliance on gas and fossil fuels. It truly is all about money and making sure we are still reliant on cars and everything that comes with them. I'm glad you had a positive experience with the tube in London, I know I felt super free being able to just hop on an inexpensive train and get wherever i wanted to go! the chunnel is definitely on my bucket list haha but I will keep my expectations low lol!
@@erin_elyse It was still cool to take it and the ride was really smooth! There's a documentary about it and it's kind of funny, France and England really did not trust each other enough to work together so they set out on their own side of the channel and built from there, meeting in the middle. There were fears they'd use it to invade one another. When it was first built, they left it open and you could walk it if you wanted, but pretty sure it's closed to that now, you can just drive or take a train. I just want to see you explore more of Europe, you've already made me want to go to Italy!
Do busses not count as public transportation?
I think busses count! but i don't think "dial-a-ride" bus services count because its just not realistic
surely this only doesn't make sense to americans, though... the rest of the world is like.. duh. As a youtuber, weird flex, but more power to you for pointing out the controversial. G'day from australia
Weird flex? lol😂😂 yeah us americans are definitely behind and its just so embarrassing when i travel and see all the ways we should be trying to improve!
@@erin_elyse 4.5 million people in my city, and we don't even have a train to the airport. we could all take a page out of japan's book
😍👌❤❤❤❤❤
Short form answer to your question: Bribery is legal in the US (automotive industry lobbying). Most of our big cities HAD street cars and track like San Francisco (including Austin where I live) that was torn up for wider roads long ago, and we used to lead the world in passenger rail transport 100 years ago, but now because auto makers lobbied for it be that way to sell more cars, we have highways that divide communities and downtowns, and a FEW subways that are laughing stock compared to the rest of the worlds. Plus we have 0 miles of high speed rail, compared to CHINAS NEARLY 28,000. All because people like Elon Musk are allowed to lie about things like his hyperloop to ADMITTEDLY stop progress on high speed rail, so he can sell more cars. We live in a dystopian billionaire playground and people truly have no clue.
wow. well freaking said! and so depressing😭 You're completely right, there is so much shadier stuff going on in the background that i didn't even go into so thank you for bringing this up. There are so many bad actors that truly want us living in a dystopian hell scape that separate us from our communities and make life miserable. you are right, people truly have no idea
Actual short answer is, the USA is way more widespread and HSR isn't profitable, and the USA doesn't like more tax burdens, so they're hard to convince on projects like that.
@@xShadowChrisx tax burdens like the interstate highways running at a deficit in the area of half a trillion due to gas prices and tolls being subsidised? 😂 The auto industry is one of the most highly subsidised industries on the planet. Tax payers pay for it. So if you truly cared about tax burdens, then you'd want less driving and more alternatives.
And, if you actually weren't just talking nonsense, in bad faith, then you'd know that spending on public transit and active transit infrastructure actually reduces public tax burdens due to increased health (ie. Less burden on the health care systems).
"The Dutch invest €595 million annually on urban biking, resulting in €19 BILLION saved in public health care costs alone. That’s how smart govts do the math on investing in better mobility.
Let’s be clear - it wastes public money to NOT do it."
@@RottenlyMoodyChild "every argument I don't like is bad faith".
If you're going to ad hominem attacks because the US public prefers something that benefits more people than just the urbanites, that's on you.
It's almost as if, our interstate benefits our rural population more than a rail system would.
But you continue to forget rural people even exist huh?
And arguments based on funny economic data is hilarious.
As if people with an agenda aren't on both sides funding funny studies.
Look at political realities not the study of the guy who wants you on their side.
only six minutes in and this is fantastic. great video and commentary.
It's sucks and we don't care. We all have vehicles. Why would anyone want to be stuck with other people like cattle?
Come to Denver and rent an electric bike for a few days. You can get to Golden and Boulder really easy most of it on bike paths and some of the connecting roads have those "pillars". Also most mountain towns have free public transit, good for tourists and locals. Breckenridge has a free parking lot for campers or vans for 14 days a year.
Great video! (Good) public transit systems also reduce traffic since more people taking transit means fewer cars on the road. So they even benefit people who choose to or have to drive.
2:22 I think one of us needs to get our eyes checked because that sure looks like the French flag to me haha
I was in Miami for a conference and wanted to see Miami Beach. The choice was $4 for public transit versus $40 for parking, which would seem obvious to most non-Americans. What surprised me is that despite the major tourist zone and the size of the city, there were only about 8 passengers on the bus in both directions.
Omg😂😂😂 that's crazy!! not even surprised though!
You pretty much need a car to live in San Diego, but if you lived some communities, you could make do with public transportation and a bicycle. I live within a mile of Euclid Avenue Station, which is a bus and light rail transit center next to a shopping center, with a nearby library, medical center and pharmacy. I can accomplish the basics within a 20 minute walk or a 10 minute bike ride.
I still need a car, but I'm seriously considering replacing it with an electric cargo bike so I can get to places like Costco.
Interesting!! Thanks for sharing. It's good that the basics are all nearby at least. I got an e-bike recently and it is just so fun! a cargo one would be sweet
Hi Erin, I'm from the UK and have travelled around the US and Europe. We had great public transport here in the UK until we had a government that sold it all off into private ownership. As of now most of it still exists but travel by car is much cheaper which is a shame, I feel we have gone backwards over here.
Thanks for sharing!! Ugh I have heard some others say that as well. Such a shame😭
I live in an area in Florida that has been way over developed the last 30 years, and we are talking about the worst type of urban sprawl: small gated communities that are not interconnected. Public transportation was already mediocre now its ruined because it runs thru roads that connect to nowhere so unless your destination is right next to a bus stop you wont be able to walk there (because nobody is allowed to walk thru gated communities) The sad reality is that besides a handful of American cities with decent public transportation the whole country is car dependent and we have the stigma of "public transportation is for poor people", every time I ride my bike to work I got the inevitable question "what's wrong with your car?"
"What's wrong with your car?" OMG😂 for real though!! I completely agree. I spent over a month roadtripping Florida this past spring and I definitely saw the urban sprawl firsthand. It's such a problem and I wish we were doing more to connect these communities!
Great video on the topic, here in the UK public transport generally isn’t too bad but is quite expensive if you want to go further especially by train. Also when I was at college I did use the bus everyday and wasn’t bad just sat listening to music and watching out the window 🙂
Thanks!! That's what I've been hearing about in the UK. Cost can be such a barrier though so that sucks, but good to know there are still some options! I took the bus in college too, it was alwayssss late and so crowded unfortunately😫
Hadn't really noticed. I mean sure its dirty but given the types of people who ride it, what do you expect? I dont have much of a problem with my transport. Gets me to the concerts I need to go to
"given the types of people who ride it"? what is that supposed to mean?
TH-cam: “ _Why Does US Public Transportation Suck_ ”
Me: “you’re into butt stuff”
TH-cam: “ _butt stuff?_ ”
Me: “yeah, you know…..spread out, you didn’t know it provides service, can do 270 mph….”
TH-cam: “I’m speaking about social welfare”
Me: “….if you dial 911 they may forward the call to the correct garage for your leaky asset woes 🫦”