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Perhaps I can enlighten you guys on why some of us prefer to drive into city centres rather than walk, cycle, take a bus, train, tube etc.
When I drive into the city centre, I pre-plan the parking for the next destination, google maps is very useful for this and in some cities it will even tell you if the car park is full or not. Simply type in your destination, then click 'parking nearby' and it will give you a list showing how far the available parking is from the destination.
I am unfussed by other drivers, if they beep so be it, it's all drowned out by (if in London) Magic FM. I can relax in my climate controlled rain proof box where I get to choose the exact temperature regardless of what is going on outside, I also get to choose the company and the music. My own space and my own pace. I lock the doors in case of eco loonies trying to get in (have had stuff thrown at me including fruit while sat in stationary traffic which was weird). And being in a Land Rover Discovery (if i am in the UK) it's quite spacious inside so i can put the hand brake on and stretch out if the traffic gets bad, and I can see over alot of the traffic, low walls, bollards etc. and just generally better awareness of surroundings. Literally the only thing that stresses me is those pesky yellow box junctions, get stuck on one of those and you'll get a fine through the post, as has happened to me before.
But ompare that to walking/cycling around getting hot and sweaty or soaking wet and having to get up close and personal with everyone else (pre covid especially) on public transport that by its very nature leaves without you and stops when you don't need it to, having to stand up on a moving vehicle because of overcrowding, NO THANKS!
Have to admit though, having driven in capital cities all over the world, the only one where the traffic has been so bad that I have actually not moved for a couple of hours and missed an appointment is London. In virtually every other major city (i always hire a car), the traffic moves but slowly. In London it just seems to stall! Best city by far was New York.
Car every time for me. I find public transport quite a traumatic experience. Bad enough having to pay the 'congestion' charge, an outright ban is way too far.
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