One thing that interests me about Australia is how accessible public transportation is. This past weekend, I travelled back to the university of Newcastle from Sydney in 3 hours for free using all public transportation. First I used a train to get to a larger station, then got on the Newcastle/Central Coast line. That brought me to a nearby suburb where I took a bus right to the uni. It was all very easy to navigate, with overhead speakers describing the entire route. It was also free, spare a couple cents for the bus.
According to my roommates (from Australia), using public transportation is a part of everyday life for most people. Many of them do not have cars and use the bus for transportation. They say it can be a bit crowded during peak hours and can be dangerous late at night, but for the most part it is a reliable and safe way to get around. This contrasts greatly with America, where infrastructure was designed for cars. There are buses and trains but it is clear that they are not prioritized. Back home in Boston, trains and buses are often dirty and dangerous, which discourages people from using them. They also cost money, which further limits accessibility.
The quality of public transportation here seems to reflect the governments sense of respect and support for its citizens. Providing this service takes away the burden of owning a car and encourages people to explore the city. This feels extremely empowering, especially when compared to America. For a while, I did not have a car in Florida, and since the public transportation is so sparse there, I was constrained to places only within walking distance. This made it difficult to access and engage with my community. In Newcastle, I am able to go to stores, clinics/pharmacies, beaches, restaurants, etc. without worrying about how I will get there. This is a right I think everyone should have in order to grant people access to necessary resources and encourage community engagement.