What do you think of people who take the public transit? Do you think they’re poor?

Question

I take the public transit everyday to work and home. People at work are shocked that I take the bus. Some even make comments about status and why not drive a car! What is wrong with that? It’s my personal choice but some aren’t so fortunate to afford a car! What do you think of people who take the bus?

CatVader · Accepted Answer

I take whatever brings me where i need to go easier and possibly cheaper.
In Denmark our system of public transport is still very good compared to many other places.
however in the country side you will have a hard time not having a car.
cars however are insanely expensive to keep, in taxes and fuel. so if you live urban, public transport is the way.
and then there is also bikes. which is a cheap choice but needs certain infrastructure to be a good option. here in Denmark we got some really great bike paths, which extends how far away you can go without relying on public transport.
usually I can bike to places within the city faster than public transport gets me there.
I know this is not really an option in most of the world where bike path infrastructure hasn't been implemented...
i'm sort of semi poor so, my cars have always been in the very low end. Also never needed it a lot. however reason i do have cars like this is once in a while I really need it and then it is still cheaper than it is to rent a new one, over time.

JamesMI616 · Accepted Answer

It depends on the state you live in. In my hometown it's definitely a poor thing. However in CO I saw every class of people use the light rail and the bus system. They have a remarkable setup there. In CA it was certainly not as classy as it was in Denver but there was a ton of park and rides near the trains and buses and they encouraged carpool or parking and using the light rail. California was the only place where there was no stigma for not driving. People assumed that if you didn't drive it was a choice and you were an environmentalist. You could ride a bike to the bar and meet a girl. I personally think that a girl who rides the bus is more approachable. It means she's independent and not stuck up. I'd gladly go out with her anytime.

Rei13 · Accepted Answer

I honestly think it depends on where you live. Where I live you’re probably poorer and can’t afford a car. The public transit sucks and why would you put yourself through that if you’re able to afford a vehicle. If you’re in the city then it just makes better sense to use public transit. It is a lot more reliable and easier to get around with. For you’re in a major city like NYC, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Los Angeles etc then it is probably a necessity

Ava1993 · Accepted Answer

Not really sometimes it’s quicker to get around. Then to drive.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

People are high maintenance and really should not worry about others because I use public transit and can't afford a car or pay someone to drive me and how I wish I found that but so far have been unluckily.

MrOracle · Answer

Here in California, if you live outside the primary SF metro area, taking a bus is probably POSSIBLE, but to get most places, you're probably going to have to take several, with transfers, and it's going to take you a very long time to get to your destination. There's a bus that has a stop about 6 blocks from where I live, but there's only 1 bus per hour, and you can't get directly to the commuter train (BART - Bay Area Rapid Transit), which would be most people's likely destination, without transferring at some point.

Essentially, California was built around car culture, so people who don't have a car really struggle. Mass transit infrastructure doesn't lend itself to easy use for most people.

Obviously in other places, especially in an around major cities, the opposite is often true, and it's far more common for people to take busses, cabs, and subways (and more recently ride-hail like Uber and Lift), but that's just not how things work in the suburbs, especially in the western states where everything is very spread out.

Anyway, I don't think any less of anyone - folks figure out what works for them, and they do that. And if changing their transportation option is a priority, they usually figure out how to do that too. No harm, no foul.

Curmudgeon · Answer

Define "poor".

In the sense that I do not want to pay through the nose for downtown parking and that I want to save that money that would otherwise go into paying for downtown parking, and instead direct that money to investing and retirement savings, which is why I ride the mass transit downtown, I guess I am "poor". If I were so comfortable that I didn't need to worry about the costs of downtown parking, I guess I would be "rich".

See also packing my own much cheaper homemade lunch instead of eating takeout at lunch, and taking my own coffee in a Thermos as opposed to spending much more on fancy designer coffees (also a kind of takeout).

SPIRIT208 · Answer

It really depends, if you’re in a city then it’s very normal to take public transportation, but in the suburbs, some people might think down. It’s really petty for people to be judging people like that. Public transportation is a cheaper, more efficient way to get around, though it can be inconvenient at times. It doesn’t matter what someone does to get around, it shouldn’t.
I don't know I just think it’s rlly dumb for people to look down at others based on their ride. I mean like, why? It’s just dumb and petty

goaded · Answer

I was going to guess you're American, but I see you're in the Philippines. In London, almost all levels of society take the Tube, it's almost always faster than driving or being driven, even if you have a reserved parking space.

Besides, it's better for the environment!

BadApple69 · Answer

I live in the suburbs… here car is king (I own 3 cars)! I live 17 miles outside of NYC. I will take the train or the bus into the city because driving in is insane. Plus there is a parking issue in the city. That being said…. People who take trains or buses are just people and for those who snub their noses at or look down on us who ride buses are just snobs

Ozanne · Answer

No, I don't think they're poor. Even people who drive take public transportation too on occasion. They'll park and ride. It's usually for the same reasons everyone else takes public transportation: to save on gas and spare the parking meters. A bus full of people is like a crowd anywhere else. You have all types.

ManOnFire · Answer

I don't think any less of them. Here in the greater D. C. region tons of rich people take the trains into the city for work because driving in D. C. is a fucking headache. Some of them have cars and others don't because they're already in the city and feel that public transportation serves them better. Everybody's gotta do what works for them.

provokeesmokee · Answer

I respect them more than I do folks with cars, myself included.

But I also live in a place where public transit is generally safe and fairly well established.

In many places, it's not even possible to bus to all your necessities.

I think public transit is a valid mode of transport that allows you to avoid the financial burden of a car and dramatially lessens your carbon footprint.

abc3643 · Answer

No, not necessarily.

For instance, in Manhattan, it borders on insanity to drive; you drive to a parking place like a public garage (I used to park at The Port Authority Bus Terminal), then take taxis, buses, or the subway to get to various places in the city. Whenever I visited Manhattan, that's what I did.

RavVid · Answer

I look down on people who take the bus because I take trams :)

No loss of status for taking trams because it means you are live in the inner city where cars aren't practical..

Busses imply you live in the outer burbs.

Yes I am snobby about living in the inner city. It is not nice of me.

AviatorTom · Answer

Public transit has nothing to do with being poor. In many cases, it's the best way to get to your destination.

I take public transit whenever I can. Unfortunately, here in the US, autos rule and appropriate public transit is not always available.

msc545 · Answer

Taking the bus is fine if it's safe. Unfortunately, where I live in Los Angeles The bus service is very spotty and sporadic and the buses themselves are filthy covered with graffiti and often carry people that I don't feel safe with and prefer not to associate with. This is why I don't use public transportation and instead drive a car.

Jonnyanalog · Answer

Not at all. If I lived in an area with good public transport and it was convenient for getting around or to get to a job, I’d certainly take it. I’d still have a car for when I wanted to travel distances not supported by public transport, though.

Sour-rose · Answer

I think they do what they gotta just to make it in this world, no judgement. I'd take it too to avoid paying insurance, gas, and other things to get on my nerves.

exitseven · Answer

I feel sorry for them. Where I live public transportation is a well worn joke. The trains are always breaking down and they never run on time. They regularly catch fire and last year one was stopped on a bridge when it caught fire. Passengers had to jump into the eater below. I used to take it once in a while but have not been on it in years.

love_conquers_lust · Answer

Public transport in the USA in spread out cities are so underutilized. I used trains and buses to go cross country a couple of times, it really wasn't that bad. The subway transit system in NYC was pretty impressive. That thing was a well-oiled machine and was at least active during rush hours. It saves a lot of money for something that really isn't that big of an inconvenience. Just be on time.

Fuentes · Answer

I view it as poor and a downgrade in life, I grew up off city buses and taking it through different hoods and to get around with the homies, amd dealt with many 5150s on there I leveled up and got a car I view anyone who takes the bus as poor and low caliber.

dolemite58 · Answer

There’s no shame in using public transit if it’s convenient to do so. I think it’s all relative to where you live. Where I live now is out in the countryside so it’s essential for me to have a car but If i retire in another country i wouldn’t mind taking the bus or the train to get around.

Fireguy17 · Answer

Nope, many are very smart.
The traffic no where to park. The cost of parking, figuring where to park in a snow storm if there is a major storm and you live on a snow route.
Owning a car is not cheap at all, especially in a big city.

Avgbrisbaneguy · Answer

when I use to work in the city daily parking is about $30 - $40, then there is the price of petrol and tolls so about $50 per day or $250 a week. Taking public transport yes takes longer but is about $10 per day, I would rather spend $50 per week on public transport than $250 driving, I can use that $200 on other things, plus I can sit back, relax and listen to music or watch movies.

PS Australia is expensive to drive :(

DryGermanGuy · Answer

I have a car but at my latest job I still take the train, because it starts at my house and stops at my workplace. No more hunting for parking space, no more traffic jams.

chrissykerdock · Answer

i don't think you should be judged whether you drive or take the bus... to be honest i wouldn't classify people that way... either they're nice or they're not

lilBigPotato · Answer

People who are shocked just haven't been in a place with good public transport. In Europe and Asia in many places there's very good infrastructure.

CassandraSpender · Answer

In Texas, yes, because, at least here public transit RARELY gets you where you're actually needing to go. In the winter by the time you get there from the stop you're a popsicle and in the summer you're drenched in sweat.

Elinnnor · Answer

I think it's very normal. They don't have the right to offend You like that , it's your choice not theirs.

Jkgordon · Answer

Where do you live? And it’s not poor. People that drive are usually poor after gas and insurance they barely can eat don’t let them fool you. Elaborate I’ll give you some answers for them😉

ObscuredBeyond · Answer

I rarely give it much thought. Then again, I've always been in living situations where owning a car is a must.

Sparkie460 · Answer

I don't think anything about it. They get to work so that's all that matters.

Astarlessnightsky · Answer

They are fortunate to live somewhere, where it is actually possible.

spartan55 · Answer

No, they may want to use public transit and don't want to drive.

AngryCarl2 · Answer

I guess it beats taking the underground (subway). I've been known to take the bus to the hospital so I don't have to pay to park. I'm not sure if I'm saving any money.

zagor · Answer

In places like NYC, it's much faster than dealing with driving and parking. In L. A., near which I live, it's not worth much, though better than it used to be. The car is king here.

the_sinner · Answer

They may or may not be poor but it doesn’t matter. They are trying to save money and not contributing to more traffic and pollution so they have my respect. I personally like travelling in the metro sometimes and also take the bus.

genericname85 · Answer

i think they are either poor or conscious of the environment and actively trying to un-fuck the planet.

Grond21 · Answer

I don't really think anything of them. People can take whatever transportation they like

Andres77 · Answer

In my city there are no sidewalks. If you’re walking, you have no car = have no money.

Jerre · Answer

No, I do not think they are poor. For many people, it is much easier than driving into a big city.

Pete671 · Answer

I take the bus, much cheaper and no problems with parking, I also have a car by the way,,,

Nifrayu · Answer

I am. But even if I wasn't I would take the bus for environmental reasons.

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

No I live in the big city and there are places here you can't drive to so if you want to go there you have to take public transportation

OddBeMe · Answer

If I lived in NY or San Fran, or worked there…I wouldn’t drive.

Z1pTD · Answer

Honestly idec. Usually it means they're being frugal.

TallAnon · Answer

Nah, depends where and when, but public transport can be the best way to get around certain places.

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

No, not necessarily. Millionaires ride the subway in NYC. It doesn’t always make sense to own a car. I wish I didn’t need one.

DextroShade · Answer

It depends on where they live.

007kingifrit · Answer

in general yea but its also convenient sometimes

FunkyMonkee · Answer

No, smart.

jimmy2 · Answer

No it's no car

Anonymous · Answer

No I can't drive

What do you think of people who take the public transit? Do you think they’re poor?

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What Girls & Guys Said

People are high maintenance and really should not worry about others because I use public transit and can't afford a car or pay someone to drive me and how I wish I found that but so far have been unluckily.

What do you think of people who take the public transit? Do you think they’re poor?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

People are high maintenance and really should not worry about others because I use public transit and can't afford a car or pay someone to drive me and how I wish I found that but so far have been unluckily.

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