> When cities are gridlocked by expensive, polluting cars, nobody wins.

No one is forcing you to build so many homes so close together. Make some space, give people room to live.

> That kind of thinking is why we don’t have reliable public transit.

No, we don't have reliable public transit because public transit just isn't very good. People know that, and have little interest is wasting their time, unless they have no other choice.

> Nobody tell Europe, or Japan.

OK, I won't. Except I've actually been there, and compared to cars Mass Transit is terrible. And this wasn't some bad mass transit - no it was world class, where you could get literally anywhere in the entire county, with very frequent buses.

Still would never prefer it to a car.

> How is having one bus take 20 people somewhere worse than making those people buy a car, making them drive separately, then making them find parking?

Because I can store things in my car, I don't have to hand carry them.

Because I can buy one thing, put it in my car, then go, with empty hands, and buy another.

Because I can put a car seat, fitted exactly to my infant, in the car.

Because I know I'll have room for a stroller, and won't have to fight to get on or off the bus.

Because I can put kids in the car, and then not have to worry about them finding somewhere to sit that is reasonably close to me.

Because I don't have to wait in the heat.

Because I can set the temperature to exactly what I want, and not have to hope the driver set it right.

Because I don't have to suffer aggressive drivers who slam on the bakes and gas throwing me around the bus.

Because I don't have to worry about missing my stop.

Because I don't have to worry about me getting on (or off) the bus, and one of the kids having the door slammed on his face, leaving him alone without me.

Because I can change my plan and go somewhere else, without figuring out which bus to take.

Because I can go somewhere in the middle of the night, and not have to worry that the buses have stopped running.

Because I don't need to worry about having my stuff stolen while traveling.

Because I can sit down for a long trip.

Because I don't have to wait for the next bus.

Because I don't have to carefully plan connections between stops to get where I need to go, and leave at exactly the right time. I can just go when I want.

Because I don't have to be so close to so many people.

Because I can transport a lot of stuff, if I want.

Because I can transport a single heavy item, and drag it only twice.

Because I don't have to worry about strangers complaining I'm taking up too much room with my item(s).

Because I can travel right to my door, minimizing how far I have to carry things.

Because I can make one trip and get everything, and not be limited by how much I can carry.

Because travel takes less time in total, including waiting.

> But if you’ve already got yours and are convinced that’s the way to go, I can’t help you. See you at the voting booth.

And I'll vote with my wallet. And we both know my vote is more powerful.

Solve all the above issues for me and we can talk about Mass Transit.

In contrast a car has just two issues:

I have to pay for gas (and other expenses).

Sometimes I have to search for parking.

And both those issues can be dealt with - the cost of a car in exchange for my time. And I just don't go places (or live in cities) that make parking an issue. If they wanted my business they would make it worth it for me.