On the rare occasions I use public transport I remember why I usually don't

[soupyspoon]

Packed to the gills despite it being very late at night, drunks, no working toilets, filthy, seats too small, migraine inducing lights. Still got half hour to go.

Vive la car

I remember the olden days when buses had conductors that would put a stop to anyone causing trouble. Unfortunately I think now we are beyond that making any difference.

I'd planned to use the train when we moved further away from work.

First two weeks in new house rail strike, followed by months of line-closed engineering works. Replaced the car instead.

People in London don't realise how lucky they are with transport. DD gets the bus and both at the last house and here it's a regular occurrence to track the bus on the app until it gets to 2 minutes away then it "disappears" and doesn't turn up. When she was at school we'd have to go home and get the car but for college she has to be late. It just isn't reliable, especially when the timetable works that there is usually only one bus that gets you there at the right time.

Aren’t you a charmer? What a disgusting attitude.

Thameslink trains are an awful design, I think signed off by Chris Grayling which says it all really.

The phone issue could be reduced by making headphone jacks the law on all new phones.

I agree with the sentiment though, people's unreasonable or anti-social behaviour is one of the main obstacles to increasing public transport use. Smelly people is another.

I got the bus for the first time the other day. It was much more pleasant than I thought it would be, everyone was very friendly and there was a real positive vibe. The only downside was it took me an hour and a half for a journey that would have taken me 25 minutes to drive. I won’t be doing it again in a hurry but it’s not a bad option if I can’t drive that day.

Nice. You sound utterly delightful. Not everyone can afford taxis everywhere and your snobbery is palpable

Goodness, I regularly take public transport, and the vast majority of the time my journeys are safe and uneventful. Generally they offer a nice peaceful chance to catch up on my reading.

The worst that happens is crowds, and if I possibly can I avoid getting on a bus or train unless `I am reasonably sure I'll get a seat. The last time I came across someone acting abusively, several months ago, the bus driver stopped the bus and called the police.

Not had any issues myself, took late night bus last night and was absolutely fine, take trains sometimes also fine, national express also great even in the evenings

@MrsMoastyToasty

i have same issue, have to go into Bristol then back out so I do drive to work usually but there’s on demand little buses if the car is off the road if I’m organised enough to book it the day before.

Public transport is hideous. Didn’t pass my driving test till my mid 30s and I drive pretty much everywhere now. The few times I have had to go on public transport have been awful.

If you live in London and unless you're a millionaire or work permanently from home public transport is unavoidable.

It depends massively when you use it. Commuting in during rush our is packed but people are usually well behaved. Commuting in off-peak I actively enjoy, half empty trains and buses are quite enjoyable.

But the night bus is one of the circles of hell. I loathe being around drunks late a night: to the point that I'll almost always pay for a cab to avoid it.

Great. More seats for us povvos, then.

How sad to think like that.

I can't drive so bus frequently. I'd much rather sit next to someone who may be classed as poverty stricken than a cunt so... Thank you I suppose.

Use local (non London) and London public transport every weekday. No issues. Perfectly useable and pleasant 99% of the time.

Live in suburbs of Glasgow get train and busses in and out of city centre no issues

I always consider public transport first or walking, I'm happy using the bus to go into town, or the train for further afield when it's an option. Gets me out in the fresh air and I don't have the hassle of parking.

And the District line is air conditioned!

Same. And thank God I don't have to travel with the sort of person who calls buses "poverty chariots."

It's horrible isn't it? I drive whenever possible, but when travelling for work we're encouraged to use public transport. I had to take a train to the Midlands last week with a couple of changes. The trains were fine actually, but my fellow passengers left a lot to be desired. The teenage girl watching TikTok with no headphones and swiping from video to video was my least favourite. I asked her at one point if she had some headphones she could use, but she said 'No' and looked at me vacantly. She must be the only teenager on the planet who doesn't own a pair!!

I live in a city (not London but South East) and LOVE Public Transport! There are several buses 2 minutes walk away to take me into the centre or train station within 15 minutes, or I can get a bus from the centre to other towns and cities and hop all around the country - and FOR FREE as I'm a pensioner!

I'd honestly rather travel by train than car long distance. Too many maniacs on the "smart" motorways.

I like London buses. But I see your point of view...
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Good grief. I don't use buses because I have a car, but that is a hideous, classist comment.

I know many well-off people with fairly top tier careers and university degrees who use public transport, because it's easier than driving, because of where they work - in the middle of the city, or a big town.

Give me strength. 🙄

I rely on 'poverty chariots', as @Pisspotical terms my only mode of transport.
I call people cunts who look down on people low on the socioeconomic scale.

Unfortunately OP some of us don't have the option to 'just take the car' however public transport is vastly different depending on where in the country you are. In London its really efficient and cheap. Everywhere else it is more hit and miss.