[rwl]

Public transportation does enable drinking. That is one reason why young people move to, and like to live in, cities with public transportation.

But there are still huge, important differences between public transport and "ride sharing". Public transportation almost never takes you point to point. You are expected to navigate public transportation on your own, including getting in and out at the right stops. Public transportation usually has sharply reduced service several hours before bars close. You also need a ticket, which often means you must be sober enough to work a machine that only takes cash.

If public transport is your ride home, you need to be a lot more sober than the people the author is writing about.

There are important differences compared to taxis, too. To take a taxi, you must (often) be prepared to pay in cash. You must have enough verbal control to give your address.

It is not implausible that ride sharing apps enable a kind of binge drinking that is qualitatively different from the kind people do when they have to take another way home.

[fy20]

> If public transport is your ride home, you need to be a lot more sober than the people the author is writing about

Having lived in London when I was younger I beg to differ. I only ended up at the last stop and having to walk home a couple of miles a few times. One time I managed to cycle from Leicester Square to Chelsea - I don't know why, I didn't live anywhere near Chelsea.

[LilBytes]

Yeah before ride sharing in the UK and later Australia, I got the train home, fell asleep, woke up in the middle of nowhere as the sun crept into view at least half a dozen times.

Ride sharing certainly increased my chances of getting home successfully, though my anecdotal experience is it wouldn't have had an impact on levity or intoxication.

[FpUser]

I was in London on some software related business. So those brits invited me for a lunch at about 11AM. All came down to some place (my first time in London ever) and ordered pints. Talked a bit. Finished first pint then ordered another. After 5th pint I asked how about a lunch. This is a focken lunch was the answer. Loved those brits.

[tomcam]

Gemma was why. Or Fiona? Fiona.

[Broken_Hippo]

FWIW: I can't remember the last time I paid cash for a bus or a taxi. You don't need enough verbal control to give your address: I've taken taxis and have had language communication issues: I just show them the address on a piece of paper.

I only need to be sober enough to walk a short way (Bus) or go up some stairs (Taxi). [most of the ride sharing is illegal here, as they are basically alternative taxis - though they still exist. The taxi service isn't all that expensive, though, and easy to get]

[anamax]

> To take a taxi, you must (often) be prepared to pay in cash. You must have enough verbal control to give your address.

(Some) Taxi companies have apps too.

[robertlagrant]

> You must have enough verbal control to give your address

Showing a piece of paper with your address on it is not harder than using an app.

[Broken_Hippo]

That's a good tip if you have a language barrier as well.

[b112]

Public transportation does enable drinking.

No?! I grew up a 500 miles from public transportation, I assure you plenty of drinking happened in my community. And history is replete with people drinking in the past, more so than we drink now!

This part of your statement baffles me.

[brewdad]

It enables "responsible" drinking. If I know I don't have to drive home, I can have that shot my buddy is pushing at me. After I've had that shot, me buying another round will seem like a great idea so I'll have another shot.

Rinse. Repeat.

I can't walk anything resembling a straight line by the end of the night but at least I won't be driving home drunk.

[mhh__]

This comment reads like you struggle with comprehension.

At no point, ever, did they say anything like public transport being a necessary condition to have people drinking. Come on.

[xboxnolifes]

The existence of drinking in areas with a lack of public transport does not disprove the claim that public transport enables drinking.