Its not a stupid question. Erik is thinking like Erik, and not like an Alaskan. Your reasons are probably exactly the ones that public transportation isn't highly valued or being pursued. That's basically the reasons most anyone who chooses to not ride transit uses... I want to go where I want when I want, without waiting, and in a more or less direct line. People in cities like Portland, NYC, SF, Seattle even don't even want to own a car if they can help it and therefor expect the city to step in and get them places.