Lack of adequate public transportation balkanizes the city

After having visited Japan and Korea, I’ve come to the realization that our insufficient public transportation makes Seattle and the region seem larger than it is, to the detriment of civic identity.

We live in Belltown. We don’t go to Columbia City often because it takes too long to get down there. And West Seattle? Forget it.

Madison Valley might well as be across the mountains.

More regionally, Tacoma seems like it’s in Idaho. No way would we do something in the evening on a weeknight.

If we had high-speed trains, I could see going to Portland or Vancouver BC for dinner and a show for the evening and still sleep in our own bed. It would be a longer evening, but totally doable.

Whereas now, it requires an overnight stay.

Pity, this.