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CONsWe would need more public transport. Buses, planes, trains etc. all harm the environment, just as cars do. If everyone used public transport, more buses would pollute cities. It should also be mentioned that the manufacturing and creation of a public transport system is very energy intensive, drawing largely on coal and fossil fuels for energy. This releases significant carbon emissions into the atmosphere.With the financial crisis, we can't afford to spend more money on something like this. It would cost too much for the government to pay for running public transport services. With the economic crisis, it needs to spend the money on other more important things.Car sales would drop significantly. If it were free for everyone to get to work, families wouldn't need two or three cars; just one or even none, depending on their availability to public transport of course. Most families have several cars, and one is used just for someone to get to work each day. This wouldn't be necessary. It would hurt the car iindustry and car makers would most likely lose their jobs, and car companies may collapse, which is very bad news.There are many people who would also lose their jobs. People like conductors, parking cops and plenty of other people wouldn't have their jobs any more, because their services would be no longer required.Some public transport cities are already terrible; this would just increase the strain. Some public transport networks are already crowded and/or unreliable. With increased customers and pressure, these networks wouldn't manage.If it was free, companies would not be expected to provide top service, because they are not paying customers. Generally when you pay a little bit more, you are paying for a good service. But if you aren't paying anything, and heaps of people are using the service, you can't expect top-notch customer service. Generally people look after paying customers more. If it was free, companies could lower their service under the excuse that its customers aren't paying anything so they should just "get what their given".Many people dislike public transport and still would not use it. Many people will stick to their cars, and some would even stop using public transport, because with it being free, so many people will use it, it would become a mess and be way too crowded.GLOBAL"Why Free Public Transport is a bad idea?!?", World Streets BlogEUROPEBaum, Herbert J. (1973), "Free Public Transport", Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, January 1973ASIA"Myth: Making public transport free will encourage use", Public Transport Users Association, Australia"Free public transport is not our ticket to ride", AustraliaAllsop, Richard (2006), "Public Transport Debates - more substance, less gimmicks", IPA Review, July 2006, AustraliaPhillipson, Mike and Willis, David "Free public transport for all?", AustraliaPROsFree public transport would reduce the number of cars on the road. Global warming is a serious issue and if public transport was free, more people would use it, taking cars off the road. 1 train could take 2000 cars off the road. A public transport system with 20 trains could take 40,000 cars off the road. Some people would simply choose to not own cars, further reducing the number of cars on the road. Across dozens of cities in a nation and thousands world-wide, the result of free public transport would be dramatic in cutting vehicle emissions and combating global warming.The Government's job is to provide services. This would be a great service that could be used by everyone. Taxes already pay for health care, schools and roads etc. so why not let taxpayers see the benefits for themselves, in a useful service everyone can use.The environment would greatly benefit. As well as providing services, the government should look out for the environment. No amount of money is too much to protect the environment.We would need more public transport workers. With increased and better public transport, we would need more bus and train drivers, creating jobs. This is great with the global financial crisis. And it work make it easier for people to get to their job - they could just get on a bus.The government would be forced to improve public transport. With more users, bad public transport networks would be improved by the government, to make it worthwhile using. Bad networks would be greatly improved, and the benefits can be used by everyone. Its definitely a worthwhile incentive.A lot of public transport companies are reliable and need more customers. Most public transport organisations offer friendly and reliable service and could do with some more "customers". They would be happy to take them and it would get cars off the road.Single or zero fare maximizes the efficiency, convenience and attractiveness of public transport systems for both users and operators in inner cities "The option of a single and potentially free public transport fare zone in the Sydney CBD should be examined as a way of immediately simplifying fare structures, eliminating CBD interchange fare penalties, eliminating other CBD fare anomalies and maximising the efficiency, convenience and attractiveness of CBD public transport systems for both users and operators." Independent Public Inquiry - Sydney's Long Term Public Transport Plan, May 2010Heaps of people would be tempted by free transport. If free public transport was offered to everyone, of course they would use it. Yes, some people may stick to their cars, but the majority would think it was a great idea. If you had the choice of paying thousands each year to run a car, or to get on a train every morning for free, what would you choose?A lot of people would already be using it if it didn't cost so much. For a lot of people, the only reason they don't catch public transport is because it costs too much. If it was free, they'd definitely start using it.GLOBAL"Why free public transport", The UnderstandascopeFree Public TransitFree Public Transit BlogEUROPE"Parking in Amsterdam for 6 euro per 24 hours inclusive of free public transport!", City of AmsterdamMøller, Berit and Thoegersen, John (2008), "Breaking Car Use Habits: The Effectiveness of a Free One-Month Travelcard", Transportation, Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 329-345, 2008Thoegersen, John (2009), "Promoting Public Transport as a Subscription Service: Effects of a Free Month Travel Card", Transport Policy, Vol. 16, 2009De Witte, Astrid et al (2006), "The impact of ‘‘free’’ public transport: The case of Brussels", Transportation Research Part A 40, 671–689Macharis, Cathy et al (2006), "Impact and assessment of “Free” Public Transport", European Transport n. 32 (2006): 26-48"Perspectives on implementation of free public transport - assessments and recommendations from a working group under the Danish Board of Technology", Summary, English version, November 2006Scottish Socialist Party’s campaign for free public transport, UKCampaign for Free Public Transport, UKFree Public Transport, FinlandTransport Vsem, RussiaYoung Socialists, Poland"TRANSPORT - a right, not a privilege!", Campaign Transport is for everyone, RussiaSaltada Popular, SpainPlanka.nu, Sweden"At Any Cost? The hidden costs of charging for public transport", Alex Berthelsen, Planka.nu, SwedenAMERICASLevy, André (2013), "Tarifa zero: dá para fazer? Quais os empecilhos?", Yahoo!Brasil.Jeffrey Brown, Daniel Baldwin Hess and Donald Shoup (2003), "Fare-free Public Transit at Universities", Journal of Planning Education Research, 23:69-82, 2003.freepublictransports.com, USA"Fund transport costs raises with fuel tax rather than fare increases", Grupo Transporte Humano, BrazilMovimento Passe Livre, BrazilSupprimons les tarifs de transport, CanadaZero-Fare, Canada"The Free Transit Report", Nurture New York's Nature, USAASIAIndependent Public Inquiry - Sydney's Long Term Public Transport Plan, May 30, 2010"Free ride: the future of public transport", The Age, March 5, 2006, Australia"COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF SUPERGOLD CARD FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SCHEME", Brown, Copeland & Co Ltd, New Zealand, 2010"The case for free public transport", Green Left, AustraliaAdelaide's Free Transport Services, Australia"Make public transport free and people will make the switch", Socialist Alliance, AustraliaFare Free, New Zealand"A Case for Free Comfortable Public Transport?", Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities CenterReynolds, Julia, "Zero-fare Public Transport", Australia"A Liberal Government Plan to Improve Public Transport", The Liberal Party’s Policy and Plans for Victoria for the 2006 State Election, Australia"Response to the Draft Strategy from Carlton Residents Association", Melbourne Transport Strategy, Australia"Students Ride For Free", POLICY INITIATIVE OF THE TASMANIAN GREENS MPs, AustraliaAFRICAGAUTENG FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT DAY

My time on Quora has made me more Liberal ! More Progressive.It had nothing to do with what Liberals said in this website. It had more to do with how conservatives behaved here.Precisely, I found the conservatives’ behavior so repulsive, I started leaning more and more left.I started contributing here around March of 2017 (around 2 years back). Back then, I used to identify as more of a centrist. As a student of Electrical Engineering, I was not very informed about financial policies to be very honest. Hence, I strongly felt that, I did not have the technical expertise to have an informed opinion.But guess what ? Conservatism has much less to do with fiscal policies than I could imagine. The diagram below clearly exhibits, that at least in american context, conservatism literally translates to Christian right, and not financial conservatism.Don’t believe me ? A respected conservative writer himself wrote it here : User-10842254053698761131's answer to Amongst Republicans, are there more social or fiscal conservatives?Being a right-winger himself, he explicitly mentioned that conservatism essentially translates to religious and social conservatism, rather than pragmatic fiscal policies.And he is spot on !The more time I spent on Quora, more I found out about the hypocrisy, racism, misogyny and homophobia displayed by these conservative groups. Group- is an important term here. Not all conservative individuals are hateful. I realize that.Didn’t I see impatient and intolerant liberals ? Yes, I did. A lot of them.But there is a difference between the two different spectrums of intolerance. The blue-people-intolerance is mostly, ‘you’re not agreeing with me, hence you’re a hater/bigot/etc’, ‘I am blocking you’. In the end ‘bad’ liberals behave all smug and tend to show off a moral high ground, and possibly try to get a conservative answer mass-downvoted/reported.Where as the red-people-intolerance is more directed towards threats (to physically harm), to get someone deported, etc. More importantly, conservatives are more likely to engage in physical violence in real life rather than online. This had been explained here- Why Does the Far Right Hold a Near-Monopoly on Political Violence?To be fair- it was not news to me that a political group that is pro-gun, pro-war, pro-death-penalty will be ideologically more closer to brute-force methods aka violence.As a person of brown skin with a thick Indian accent who takes public transport occasionally - I’ve heard comments like ‘half-breed’, ‘bloody-paki’, ‘brownie’ etc. It is not difficult to deduce which political ideology the commenters associated themselves with. All these experiences strengthened my current political stance even more.As a non-religious non-christian PhD student in Engineering/Science, I observed four specific trends among conservatives in Quora which made me lean more left -Reciting bible as a reference, and neglecting hard data. And doing that on purpose . You can find out more here - User-10842254053698761131's answer to Is the Christian right going to save the Republicans?Sexism, and blind support towards conventional gender roles, despite all evidences saying otherwise. This also include specific offensive comments/messages directed towards women.Antipathy towards education, as universities are ‘leftist indoctrination organizations’.Sometimes, a weird affinity towards violence and war, together with a tendency to ‘fight things out’ in case of any disagreement.All four things , I never ever EVER relate to. All four things, I find abhorrent.All four things- ‘core of more than half of conservative viewpoints’.Sorry ! Your camp is just not my place to be. I prefer to stay ‘away’.EDIT - One more example of how your proud American conservatives pushed an Indian further away. Prottay M. Adhikari (প্রত্যয় ম. অধিকারী)'s answer to What do you dislike most about the U.S.?

Biggest? Why only the biggest? I have had so many misconceptions to deal with while interacting with foreigners including on Quora. This would be a perfect opportunity for me to express my own native Japanese perspectives on some of the well distributed ideas regarding our country.Table of contentsJapanese trains are always on time.Most Japanese people are niceJapanese think only Japan has four seasons.Japanese people think they are not Asians.Japan is a very safe country.If you go to a Japanese High School, you can date and become happy forever like in Anime.In Tokyo, there are vending machines which sells underpants of High School Girls.Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world.Are you ready? Here we go!Japanese trains are always on time.Always? Hmm, I’ve never seen a single day where the infamous Chuo line was on time. Not to mention that I would even care since they come once every two minutes.The punctuality of Japanese public transportation has been discussed frequently in foreign nations however, what they are often not aware of is the fact that such claims are something from the past. Punctuality of train systems, particularly in Tokyo has deteriorated significantly for the past two decades.This is often the result of extensive connection service with other train lines within the region.The best example would be the Tokyu Toyoko Line. Opened in the 1920s, the 24km train line which connects Tokyo and Yokohama carries one million people back and forth every single day. In the 1960s, the simple train line which went back and forth from Shibuya to Yokohama got a new destination by sharing lines with a subway line. By 2014, the network has grown to include 4 subway lines, 5 private overground lines, two lines of their own, and one Tourist line.Hence any single unrelated issue from different lines on the other side of the country now affects the punctuality of the train line.Hence, when you're in a rush, make sure you go to your train station ten minutes early, especially if you are changing trains multiple times. You will thank me for that.Also dont forget about the frequent train jumpers who jump into trains to commit suicide. They are the worst.Most Japanese people are niceWe are professionals at acting nice. Since childhood, we receive intensive training on how to be nice to others, especially during our teenage years. Politeness skills is like trunks for elephants. It is required to survive. People who lack such skills would experience the force of natural selection. Hence, we seldom show our real emotions. In fact, when the Japanese have started showing you their real emotion in public, you should know that you have massively fu*ked something up. (I learned this in the hard way)Japanese are polite but not necessary nice.I remember when I was studying in America I was calling the Japanese bank since my credit card was stolen.The head of the dorm suggested me to contact the credit card company and have them mail it to me.Sir, I have lost my credit card and have no money what so ever. Can you help?Operator: Okay. In that case, please come to the bank immediately with your ID. We will give you the new card in person with your valid identification.Sir, unfortunately, I am currently in California, not Tokyo. I physically cannot take the card.Operator: Okay, then please cancel your activity abroad immediately and see our staff in Tokyo as soon as possible.Sir, I do not even have the money to purchase ticket back to Tokyo. Can you mail the new card to this address?Operator: That would be the violation of the company guideline. Please come to the our office in person.Okay, sir, then can I have my mother take the card for me? She has my valid ID with legal documents proving that she is my parent.Operator: I am sorry, you are the only one who we can give you your new card.Then, what the fuck can I do!?!?! This is an emergency. I fucking have no money to go back to Tokyo what so fucking ever!!!!!Operator: In that case, please contact to the Japanese Embassy. Thank you.It was the most cold blooded polite person ever to talk. The Americans are often rude, but they have hearts. Who I called acted like a robot. It made me feel very lonely.Japanese think only Japan has four seasons.Oh, come on! I see these statements all over the internet including Quora. Is this a joke of some sort? Sure, many of us still thinks Russia (and Putin) is Communist, all Americans have guns and shoot anyone suspicious, all foreign lands are dangerous, and Scotland are Englishman as well (and are obsessed with teas). However I have never met or heard of anyone who holds such a ridiculous view anywhere. I mean, simple 6th grade science can debunk such myth (If it were to exist, that is). We are not that comically unintelligent.Japanese people think they are not Asians.Here is another common myth which frequently surface out online. This may come from the Meiji era policy 脱亜入欧 (Exit Asia Enter Europe). However, such ideas are outdated, especially after the cold war when the term East vs West became less relevant.However, we dont use the term Asia frequently in the first place.In school we learn there are six continents in the world.North AmericaSouth AmericaAntarcticaAfricaEurasiaAustraliaStrangely, in maps published in Europe and Americas, there is a peculiar borderline passing through the Former Soviet Union and Turkey.Like thisWhat is this!?Japan is a very safe country.Maybe. Relative to places like the United States or South Africa.I am going to say relatively because, well, I used to think like you until I learned it in the hard way.Also minor crimes such as theft and groping are quite common. Young female individuals should be extra careful.Friend: Officer, my bike was stolen! Someone broke the chain from where I parked!Cop: Nay, they happen often here. Dont get bothered by it.Friend: I have the Security Registration number hereCop: Dude, it doesn't matter. It wont come back. I think you should better buy a new one. They aren’t expensive anymore.—One day in OsakaIf you go to a Japanese High School, you can date and become happy forever like in Anime.Oh shit. Did you imagine that as a high school life in Japan?? Ahahhahaha! Enjoy the taste of reality!If you were a high school student in Japan and had a girlfriend and especially so had a successful career after that, you'll be instantly slaughtered by angry envious mobsters.There is a reason why high school dating is such a major theme in Japanese entertainment industry. Why would anyone consume something which they already have? Huh? Huuuuuuuh????There are two types of teenagers in Japan, those who would be successful, and those who would not. Being a successful teenager means to go to a high profile university via entrance exams. Such success requires a specific environment, at least to the general public.If you want to succeed, have a stable job in the future, or your parents want you to be that way, you will be locked into a fierce competition between other teenagers. No time for dating. Sorry.In fact, you wouldn't have any options in the first place. Frequently, you would be locked into your study room by your parents to finish homework for the cram school you attend every day from 5pm to 10 pm. Also, don’t forget your school work as well! In fact, many schools would do whatever means to keep you on track. You likely need permission from your teacher to go to anywhere other than school or home even after the classes are over. Many parents install GPS on the teens phone to keep track of them. Dating with a girl?? Out of question!!In fact, most teenage dating happens in rural areas among people who don’t have plans to have a high profile careers as they have stable income from farming and fishing.Also, don’t forget the social obsession against teenage romance. If you're caught dating as a teenager, you'll get unwanted attention from noisy grown ups who would follow you like pikmins.In Tokyo, there are vending machines which sales underpants of High School Girls.Sigh* What the Fu*k!? I mean, Whaaat tha Foooooh!!!This claim has been around the internet all over the place, even being cited by high profile non-comedic opinion makers. No. I have never seen anything like that, even in the most fishy places in Tokyo like Akihabara, nor have heard any claims of such being reported.No one in Japan are aware of such thing nor are talking about it, even the most savage netizens such as 2channel users.Here are the responses from them[1]1：風吹けば名無し＠＼(^o^)／： 2017/06/27(火)ええんか？(Thats even okay?)6：風吹けば名無し＠＼(^o^)／： 2017/06/27(火)こマ？(What!? True?)3：風吹けば名無し＠＼(^o^)／： 2017/06/27(火)よく知ってるな(How do you know that?)4：風吹けば名無し＠＼(^o^)／： 2017/06/27(火)どこに売ってるんだよ教えてくれ(Where do they sell those? Tell me)*Edited and Translated by myselfEven the 2 chan users, who are professionals at underground industries were not aware of such thing which pretty much proves such thing does not exist in the first place.Legally speaking, public display of obscene materials are strictly prohibited in Tokyo. Such vending machines surely would be illegal.So, no. No high school panties. Don’t be disappointed if you cannot find those after you exit Narita or Haneda. I warned you! (We don’t even need people with such intentions to come to Japan in the first place)But don’t fret. We do have quite a lot of other awesome vending machines around the town so enjoy those instead.Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world.Yes, Japan has a relatively high suicide rate compared to the world average. Yet, the statement “one of the highest” is actually an overstatement.According to the WHO, the suicide rate in Japan (per 100k people) is 15.4, while the world average is 10.7. It is relatively high if you think that every two suicides in the world, there are three in Japan. However, if you compare with other nations, things get complicated. For example, the United States scores around 12.6 which is only 2.8 points lower then Japan. South Korea scores over 24 while Sri Lanka, almost 35. Many former Communist countries in Eastern Europe and the USSR ranks much higher then Japan. Therefore Japan does not have one of the highest suicide rates in the world.Yet, why do we associate Japan with Suicide so much? There is no definite answer to this as no one has studied it, however, guesses can be made.One reason could be the fact that our tradition of Seppuku and Kamikaze being widely known throughout the world. People seem to associate Japan with Seppuku and Kamikaze quite commonly. And yes, Kamikaze and Seppuku are sometimes seen in a positive note in everyday life in Japan, but most of us consider such tradition as extreme and outdated.Another reason could be the notoriously high suicide rates among the youths.Recent studies show that Japan has the highest suicide rates among the youths since the 2000s. Tragedy among the youths often gets closed up internationally and such news frequently appear in world news headlines such as BBC and CNN even if they are covered very little in Japan.Footnotes[1] 【画像あり】人気海外ドラマ「東京じゃJKのパンツが自販機で売ってる」 : キニ速