We, citizens of planet earth, hope or assume that our government leaders have the future of public transportation clearly planned and ready to roll out in a timely, orderly fashion... yeah.

The reality is that the future of private transportation may be more definitely predicted at this point.  As public transportation ridership dwindles the only thing that seems certain is that electric buses will be available in the near future.

But electric buses will still have the same issues existing buses have - questionable safety and cleanliness.

In this iDriveSoCal Podcast, Professor Quan reports on a recent public transportation conference he attended. Meanwhile, he and I dance-around and dive into various forms of transportation as our future of mobility evolves. Click play below for insider info and occasionally boisterous commentary!

***Transcription***

Recorded in Los Angeles, CA

Public & Private Transport is Changing

Clinton Quan: Autonomous vehicles and what the future would hold for a world where we wouldn't have to drive a vehicle. For example, may we wouldn't need a garage if everyone's using autonomous vehicles

At this point, really, it's all talk. No one really, really knows because there are so many factors that you have to look at.

On the flip side, we do see a lot of auto manufacturers spending a lot of money on autonomous vehicles.

Tom Smith: Welcome to iDriveSoCal, the podcast, all about mobility from the automotive capital of the United States, Southern California. Tom Smith here with the good Professor, Mr. Clinton Quan. Say hello, Clinton.

California Transit Association Conference

Clinton Quan: Hi Tom.

Tom Smith: Hello my friend.

When you usually hear me introduce Clinton, and it's usually a vehicle review, or it's an auto show, or an automotive museum and we do a lot of talking about that stuff.

But then, you hear at the beginning of all my podcasts, that we talk about mobility. And, in this case, actually the good Professor is doing a piece on mobility, and actually, it's gonna be a two-part piece.

The topic is Public Transportation and this is gonna be a two-part piece on public transportation because the way we're getting around is changing. Now, iDriveSoCal podcast number 100 I did a little piece, it was a little solo piece and I did the Future of Mobility, What's Hype and What's Real?

There's so much going on and it captures the imagination, right? I mean, from underground highways to hyperloops to flying cars to driverless cars, so the Professor went to... What event did you go to?

Clinton Quan: This was the California Transit Association's 53rd Annual Fall Conference and Expo at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.

California Transit Association

Tom Smith: The California Transit Association, so that's all about public transportation in the State of California? Right?

Clinton Quan: Pretty much, yeah. And they advocate transit-friendly policies, protecting and increasing funding for transit.

Tom Smith: Okay. And this is the group is statewide, so who's going to this? City leaders from all the cities across California, as well as counties, I'm assuming?

Clinton Quan: Leaders from cities throughout the State of California and other government entities as well, including counties.

Tom Smith: Okay.

Clinton Quan: Yes.

Tom Smith: And this is where they go and are decisions being made here? Or is it more like a trade show kind of thing where they're seeing what the options are for them to invest public funds in, or what is this all about?

Clinton Quan: Well, this is an opportunity for leaders to share ideas an...