The convenient subway system in big cities and the country’s expansive rail network make car ownership unnecessary and exploring China easy. Investment in public transport in the US would not only fuel the economy and create jobs, but help low-income communities, reduce emissions and revitalise urban areas.
Considering that 80% of Americans live in urban areas, this really is not the obstacle people seem to think it is. Not to mention, there are models of public transit that are quite useful for rural areas. I’ve taken rural buses many times and they were quite useful and better than driving where they run. Not to mention we used to have trains that traversed the entire country… back when we had less than the half population. If we made it work back then I’m sure we can today.
The biggest problem is that many Americans have an irrational fear and opposition to public transit. Particularly in rural areas.