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An article over at Motherboard covers the growing inequities in the US resulting from the cultivation of individualized transport options.
Carsharing, ridesharing, ride-hailing, public transit, and cycling—"all of those things are needed to replace personal cars," said [Robin Chase, co-founder of Zipcar].
It's a nice idea, but to actually kill car ownership, we're first going to need to have some very uncomfortable conversations about class and equity in the United States. Public transit used to be the great equalizer, but affordable private rides have become the new favorite of the middle class. When richer people give their money to private ride-hailing or carsharing companies, public transit loses money—and that's not good for cities, societies, or the environment.
[...] This dependence on ride-hailing is having the adverse effect of increasing traffic congestion, which in turn makes bus service slower and more frustrating. Besides, until cities change dramatically—i.e. more parks, fewer parking lots, less sprawl, better accommodations for active and public transit—decreased rates of car ownership likely won't benefit the environment if we're still travelling the same distances in cars.
Those living in countries that still have good or remnants of good mass transit will have different insights. It is unlikely that without good, reliable, vast public transit networks, there will be social and economic equity, assuming that is a goal. While public transit can suck, especially in the US, it is sometimes necessary to take one for the team and vote with your wallet. Unfortunately the situation is often framed as a false dilemma, that there can only be private cars or only mass transit, but not both coexisting and used for different ends at different times by the same people.
(Score: -1, Spam) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday February 14 2018, @02:45AM
A man was walking down the sidewalk to his workplace. It was a good day for Nickson, as evidenced by his beaming smile. On Nickson's way to work, a woman casually strolled past him.
Crash! Slam! Bang! These sounds could be heard coming from inside a certain house, and they seemed to continue endlessly. If one were to look inside said house, it would appear as though a tornado went through it; tables and chairs were knocked over; there were broken windows; glass cups were shattered all over the floor; there were large holes in the walls, as if objects flew through them; and, in general, every aspect of the house was in disarray. A man could be seen assuming the fetal position in a dark corner, sobbing. That man was Nickson.
Nickson, once a kind, cheerful man, was now a mere shell of what he once was. A grave injustice was done to him, transforming his life forevermore. If things continued as they were, only depression, anger, and suicide awaited. Would Nickson give up so easily?
No. Nickson would never give up. Nickson would never allow evil to prevail. Nickson would struggle against injustice. The man slowly rose up, his face displaying the ferocity of a god of war. Nickson was going to strike back.
With only a bit of effort, Nickson identified his target. He learned about the target's schedule, their family, and their habits. Using this information, Nickson devised a grand plan that would allow him to exact his revenge. "Justice will prevail!" Nickson shouted. It was time to execute his scheme.
Captured. The target, along with members of their family that met certain criteria, was captured and imprisosoned within Nickson's house. Tightly bound to metal bars, they could do nothing but stare in horror at the man whose eyes seemed to be made of fire. Beaten. Pain. Screaming. Violated. Pain. Screaming. Mutilated. Pain. Screaming. Silence.
The next day, Nickson walked out of his house in triumph. The man had returned to his former self now that the wrongs committed against him were made right. Indeed, no woman would enter Nickson's presence without acknowledging his superiority ever again.