Well, Dixie Gal, I imagine that the public transportation in Bham will change quickly in the future. Hopefully a light rail system connected with a good bus system ie: Portland, Oregon will help show people that Public transport can be used by all people rich and poor. The commute between office and work is another problem. Most cities in the world are focused around the city center for travel. Traveling from one suburb to another is often a long process. People will have to get used to it, Move, or use a bike more to offset there commute.
Urban Sprawl: unfortunately, Many of the suburbs in the USA until the end of the 20th century are not designed in a way that is utilitarian to local residents. My sister's neighborhood in Atlanta has not sidewalks for people to walk on. There is no supermarket or any type of shop for good with in easy walking distance.
I live in Japan. It has a very good transportation system. Local shops are everywhere, in small towns and large cities. You can walk to a convenience shop and get fresh fruit usually within minutes of your house or a quick bike ride.
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Originally Posted by DixieGal
Nobody wants public transport in the US more than me, but even if a train system were to become possible - Amtrak is useless and doesn't count - then there is another infrastructure hurdle to meet: Urban Sprawl. 
Say I were to somehow have bus service from my suburban home 11 miles outside of Bham, how would I get to work from the bus station? Our city buses are practically useless also, becuase they are old and stay broken down on the sides of the roads. The city is too spread out to walk from the station, which is located in a very bad part of the city. The city center is dead and scary, and businesses and homes are spreading farther afield every year.
Paris, on the other hand, is perfect for public transport. It is a big city, but everything is centered within the city. They spent a century getting the Metro just right, and have maintained it well. A person can go from point A to point B, and point B will be within walking distance of wherever you may need to go.
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