Trains are romantic and follow set networked paths. Metal to metal. Wheel to rail. How can you not love trains? I have always lived within the sound of a train. Sometimes they are very far away, and I can only hear them at 4 a.m., but I hear them at their crossings.

Washington Cube Was Here. #127

Trains aren't just more luxurious, they're a *much* smoother ride. The fanciest bus in the world is still clunky and uncomfortable next to anything running on rails.

Come with me on the bus portion of my evening commute (followed by a nice comfortable Metro ride) and you will quickly come to appreciate the difference.

Liking trains more than buses is far from irrational.

I am a fan of trains myself, but buses are far more flexible from a planning standpoint and carry far more people in the overall numbers. Buses are usually a more progressive transportation mode as the poorer parts of the population are served more frequently by buses - rail usually serves the wealthier suburban markets, people who can afford to park and ride, or those that can afford the premium of living near a station.

If buses were given priority on roads in this country - and it was actually enforced - riding the bus would be a smoother experience. If the no stopping and parking in bus lanes and bus stop regulations that most places have were actually enforced - riding in the bus would be a smoother experience. Dedicated bus lanes and the other trappings of bus rapid transit could also significantly improve the bus experience, but in this country we are lucky to get a clean regular bus.

> but buses ... carry far more people in the overall numbers

Not in DC they don't. Granted they do in most places.

Buses are not more progressive forms of transportation. Rail transit would be far better in those communities in terms of property development, asthma rates, clean air, and transportation quality. Buses are used by poorer neighborhoods because it is all they are given. There is not enough political interest to give them real transit. A combination of bus and rail would of course better serve them. Such inadequate service as local buses AND BRT are given to poorer communities because they are transit-dependent. They are used because there is no other choice. It is not progressive, it is usually racist or otherwise discriminatory.