California: Land of f***ups 2303at 30 The vehicles wouldn't be running near empty if they were usable and reliable. People could take the bus to and from restaurants to go...
Scott en Aztl‡n
San Diego once had an amazing trolley and cable car system. It was all removed, because nobody could stay profitable running them.
I'd love to skip the 4 lane (2 each way) segment of CA-163, but my only other option is parking my car in Mission Valley and taking 3-4 times as long riding to trolley to downtown.
Why if I've already driven 8 miles do I not just eat the 15 minute 3 mile drive? It sucks, but there's no better option, unless traffic gets so bad that it takes an hour. When there's an accident though, I just take I-8 to I-5 to Front St downtown. That or I take I-15 to CA-94 into downtown. Or I-15 to Harbor to downtown. Or I exit CA-163 at University and take 4th downtown. Worst case cut Washington to Pac Highway and do it. Or I-15 to Market to downtown. If I want a scenic drive I can exit CA-163 at Washington and take Park downtown.
There's always a route that's going to be faster than the bus or trolley - they are both so slow that it's just not worth it. I can ride a bike faster than most busses, and could almost keep up with the trolley. Definitely from downtown to MV, with the extra miles traveled.
Other cities I know are marginally different, but other than NYC and Chicago I've never seen a US city that is really that navigable without a car or high quality bike.
Dave
