CNN Future Summit forum

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- It looks more like the Batmobile rather than a long-distance coach, so perhaps it is fitting that it is called the Superbus. Offering the speed of an inter-city train with the flexibility of a bus, its Dutch inventors hope that it will provide a vital part in a sustainable future of public transportation and, who knows, it just might make travelling by bus cool. (Full story)

Is public transport necessary?

To ask the question, "Is public transport necessary?" is almost the same as asking, "Is the pope catholic?" The level of disorderliness in Lagos and most major cities in Africa points to one problem -- lack of a decent public transport system.
Ani Ilover, Lagos, Nigeria

Yes it's necessary! Just imagine if you didn't have it. Car breaks down, can't afford a car, can't afford the gas to put in your car etc... How would you get to and from the places you needed to go? Walk? I don't think so. More than half of any general population of a town live more than 5 miles away from their work place. Now I really don't think anybody wants to hear the stories of their grandfathers and how they had to walk miles in the snow just to get to work everyday.
James Rega, Huntingtown, MD, USA

It is unquestionably necessary. Better public transport, especially in the city of L.A. (where I live) would expedite mobility, decrease environmentally harmful car emissions, and simply, would make people happier as they would be have more time from driving less.
Alexandra Castillo-Kesper, L.A., USA

I fully agree that public transportation will always be a necessity. When looked at realistically there are just so many glitches and mishaps that can happen to personal and company vehicles. I have heard on many occasions of people with their own transportation who have broken down or stranded, with no one else to help or assist them. The public transportation system was their only means of travel. So if it was not for the public transportation system, what would people really do?
Roger Penny, Lynchburg, Virginia, USA

Public transport will be necessary as long as the public needs to be transported. The more interesting question would involve asking whether it will eventually still be necessary to transport us at all. With the growing significance and reach of virtual communities, and the increasing ability for us to work at home, we may reach a stage where we will not need to traverse to work or to interact.
Chris Jones, Sydney, Australia

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