Image transcript:

Calvin (from Calvin & Hobbes) sitting at a lemonade stand, smiling, with a sign that reads, “Trains and micromobility are inevitably the future of urban transportation, whether society wants it or not. CHANGE MY MIND.”

  • Burp
    2•1 year ago

    This has been my sticking point with trains. In theory, it sounds fantastic and I’m all for it. The problem is is that Having a vehicle is so much nicer. Air conditioned and private transportation, whenever you want. Listen to what you want, go where you want.

    Maybe if the train was much more convenient? I like the idea for travel more.

    • @Fried_out_KombiOPMEnglish
      14•1 year ago

      If you look at old maps of streetcar networks in cities (before they ripped up the tracks to replace them with cars), one thing that stands out is just how dense the networks were. For instance, here’s the old Montreal streetcar map:

      Versus the modern-day Montreal metro map:

      And Montreal has some of the best modern-day urbanism in North America, mind you; most cities are far worse. But it really makes you imagine what our cities could be like if we made many/most streets car-free and just had ultra-dense networks of trams again. Maybe even cargo trams to deliver goods to stores as well. Trains would be ubiquitous and ultra-convenient.

    • @Nouveau_BurnswickEnglish
      11•1 year ago

      Air conditioned

      Public transit has this technology.

      Listen to what you want

      Headphones.

      whenever you want […] go where you want

      Public transit can solve these problems with more frequency and routes. Sometimes public transit goes places private transport can’t!

      private transportation

      Can’t do this one.

      • @Fried_out_KombiOPMEnglish
        11•1 year ago

        Can’t do this one.

        For long-distance travel, sleeper cars on trains are even better – you can’t close the curtains and go to sleep if you’re driving across the country.

        For short-distance travel, bikes and scooters!

        • @Nouveau_BurnswickEnglish
          4•1 year ago

          Great point! Sleeper car rail in Canada is so terrible I tend to forget it exists.

      • Burp
        1•1 year ago

        Ehh, it’s more like comparing a hostel to a hotel room.

        Would you trade your private bathroom for a public one? Considering you already had a private bathroom, going to a public one is a downgrade.

      • @SkepticpunkEnglish
        1•1 year ago

        Public transit can solve these problems with more frequency and routes. Sometimes public transit goes places private transport can’t!

        Or, hell, just get one of those foldable ebikes that are all the rage these days. Technology is coming for cars just as it came for horses and nobody even realizes it.