Frank J. Sprague Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I still contend that bus transportation has bad
> connotations for many, many Americans, as it
> represents being at close quarters with--in their
> perception--"undesireable" elements of society.
> Also, to many people, using public transportation
> suggests a lack of self-determination that driving
> a personal vehicle would represent.
>
I'm well aware of the negative image of buses. I've been commuting to work on buses in two cities for almost 30 years and have seen all kinds of people on the buses. Some make me uncomfortable, I've enjoyed conversations with others and a few I even wanted to date.

I have also read Metra's "On the Bi-Level" newsletter which has a section in which riders complain about other riders. Very amusing reading, but it does not support the notion that rail attracts a better class of people.

That said, I've never felt as threatened by other transit riders as I felt threatened when encountering dangerous drivers on the road.