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Comment by corethree | Hacker News Reader

Why would you not take it when it's free? Makes zero sense.

Because it's a way worse experience than taking my own car. Maybe if they paid me I'd take it. If they paid enough.

As someone living in the Northeast and having often made train trips of similar length (Philadelphia -> Boston), I don't see how.

If I'm driving and need to stop to use the bathroom, eat something, or so on I'm setting myself back time-wise. Plus I have to stay sitting down the whole time and have to stay focused on the road for hours.

If I take the train, I can get up, stretch my legs, grab some food, and I'll still get there at exactly the same time I would have otherwise. I can watch a movie on the way, or pull out my laptop to work on a side project if I want, or play some video games.

I'll take the train over driving any day.

I suppose all this hinges on if you want to have a car when you get to the destination. If not, then sure take the train if flying doesn't work.

But I usually want to have a car. So I'll be driving until it really doesn't make sense for me.

Most people I know spend crazy money for a car, if you compare to how little they could spend. Thus it seems many people are ok shelling out thousands of dollars a year for a cooler or more comfortable car. I have a feeling if high speed rail costs the same as taking their car, they are for sure going to take their car.

In short we need better local transit

Cost is not the only factor. For certain social classes, public transport is seen as fundamentally shameful or dangerous, something better left to poor people.

I mentioned that I'm from Europe. Where trains are not seen at all like this. I use trains in Europe often, as it's a better experience than driving. In America, the driving experience is just fine outside of rush hour traffic in major metro areas. So what is this train saving me from?

I don't agree with you in the main part, but I do see where you're coming from. I'm from Europe, use trains often, and have also driven a fair few trips in the USA. Rush hour Bay Area was about as hellish as I expected (though merely tedious, rather than scary), but other than that it was very pleasant driving. I'd still rather take public transport if it was even two thirds the level of a decent European country – and while that's a fairly big request from where the USA is right now, we are talking about the biggest economy in the world.

You often need a car at your destination and renting can be an expensive pain. There is also the issue of feeling unsafe on public transport.

You still have to get around when you get to the destination. For a lot of places, that will mean renting a car.

Even free can be more expensive than driving.

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