True, RapidRide is not rapid, but nor is driving a car. But RapidRide does have this huge advantage over the automobile....

Inside the bus

Air-conditioning
Top opening windows
Free Wi-Fi
Automated 'Next Stop' display and audio announcements
New interior design makes it easier for passengers to move to seats and exits
Interior LED lighting
Security cameras

And it's not so much the free wi-fi that's important (smartphones are fine without it), but simply just being able to do this:

What is captured in the image is something that almost everyone does these days on the bus or train, and what drivers in cars are not supposed (or find difficult) to do.

Here is my thing: One way public transportation might be able to make a formidable dent on the powerful and deep American car culture is to promote this advantage: Passengers can easily tweet, update, post, and surf while on the bus or train. And the more our lives become dependent on cyberspace (meaning, the more time we need in a day to sort out basic things online), then the more useless cars become. Why would you want to sit in something that leaves you doing nothing while waiting for lights or in traffic? Automakers have yet to find a satisfying way to integrate cars with cyberspace. This hole needs to be exploited soon and aggressively by the advocates of the only future there is, public transportation.