An anecdote- I visited the Netherlands a few years ago, and the difference between their public transport and ours was so stark it's almost shocking. In the Netherlands there is light rail linking every major city that runs every 20 minutes- and for more far flung locations you go to a bus stop, and there is a sign in the bus stop that tells you down to the minute how long it will be till the next bus arrives, and the routes are clearly labeled.

Upon arrival to the United States, my bus out of Boston was an hour late, and there was no indication when it would arrive, and every time a bus pulled up at the airport, the driver would get out and start yelling the destination cities over the din of the traffic, and that was how you would find the right bus. It was like going back in time 100 years.