Seattle light rail is really nice.

[bkardell@toot.cafe]

Seattle light rail is really nice. I wonder why i feel like its so much nicer than busses?

[rauschma@fosstodon.org]

@bkardell I’m a big fan of light rail! IIRC, there is more room and rides are calmer and often faster. Plus, maintenance costs less (once the tracks are there).

But I also share your subjective feelings that seem to go beyond these facts.

With Bus Rapid Transit, you get a nice compromise between bus and light trail.

[ameliasbrain@mstdn.ca]

@bkardell Light rail is usually a smoother rider than a bus. Windows tend to be cleaner, because they're not getting mud splash from road puddles.

And on many systems, the seating on train cars is more spaced out (more leg room) than a typical bus, which gives a bit of a luxury feeling so long as seats are still available. Multi-door boarding also makes it easier to spread out & find a seat more quickly. (Some bus systems have multi-door boarding, but it's often on the routes where the buses are always packed!)

But of course, as with everything, It Depends. Sitting on the top floor of a double-decker bus getting a view of an interesting city always beats because squashed in an overcrowded, poorly-ventilated subway train as you strain to hold on to a post or hand-support ring.