just a tad late on this...recent automobile threads seemed to be characterized by non-dialectical commentaries...above begins to transcend either/or approach...
In US, widespread use and popularity of cars has provided large percentage of population with unprecedented mobility. Extent of reliance on autos, however, has also led to *imbalance* in transportation system as other forms of transit deteriorated. About 33% of US population is too old, too young, too disabled, or too poor to own and drive a car. Moreover, lack of balance between autos and other modes of transit has helped pollute air and congest existing roadways.
Other conequences include: highway system (together with electronic communications systems helped disperse metropolitan lifestyle throughout countryside, many corporations began constructing new facilities in small towns beyond fringes of metropolis. Mobility has created both *decentralization* and *recentralization*. Cars and roads allowed real-estate developers to build subdivisions in suburban areas not served by streetcars and buses and retail merchants began abandoning crowded central business districts. While 1970s oil embargoes are distant memory to some and 'only history' to others, diffuse lifestyle is vulnerable because US imports about 40% of petroleum used to drive cars and heat buildings. Automobile age facilitated decline of Northeast and Midwest central cities. And major problem that grows increasingly worse is cost of maintaining roadways, especially acute on interstate highway system tha now allows trucks up to 80,000 pounds. About 5,000 miles of this system currently need replacement.
Ridership on public transit declined steadily from late 1940s to early 1970s, but rose again for about ten years until mid- 1980s, peaking at levels not seen since early 1960s. Several factors contributed to public transit's 'renaissance' including growing disenchantment with freeway construction and federal incentives. Since early 1980s, opponents have polemicized against mass transit seeking to turn public against it and federal funding for public sytems has been under attack. Even at peak of US ridership in early 20th century, operators lost money and demand that systems run at profit is unreasonable. Still, privatization mania is affecting public transit - current proposals call for divesting to private companies highest revenue generating routes, leaving public authorities to provide costly services on less lucrative routes. Michael Hoover