Autos and public transit: Friends or foes? A “balanced” transportation system would exploit the advantages of both private motor vehicles and public transportation systems

The role of public transit in a world dominated by the private automobile is a subject that has been marked by controversy, at times bordering on the political. As such, it has been an international concern of Government bodies, consumer groups, and research institutions, as well as individuals. And in an era when the effects of pollution and the energy shortage seem to be catching up with us, the debate assumes a new relevance.