Re “Stubborn transit delusions” (March 22): I admit that for years, I thought the U.S. just had to build out better to attract more public transportation riders. But with the advent of driverless cars, I have updated my priors.
I now see a future fleet of autonomous electric vehicles replacing many forms of transportation equal to or below the true cost of mass transit or car ownership. And a means test for pricing will allow even those on the lower end of the income curve to move around the city.
I do love seeing the Trolley and MTS roll around San Diego. But not enough riders will continue to make the system expensive and inefficient in the future.
— David Comden, Ocean Beach
I am perplexed that the advocates for and against more funding for public transit ignore the most salient issue: Halfway measures won’t ever work. Either we build out a system that can actually serve people’s real-world needs — at enormous expense — or we accept the fact that the geography and population distribution of Southern California means only private transportation makes actual sense. One could argue that subsidies for rideshare services are in the community interest — perhaps a debate worth having. At least that has the potential for success.
— Blair S. Paulsen, San Diego