GP said upgrading, not replacement. Bus or train currently can’t do last mile. Without a viable option people may opt for cars instead of bus or train. This will help, not replace, public transportation. It may make bus/train more popular.
A 5000lb car to move a <200lb person is a terrible last mile option. There has never been a better time for last mile options than today. On the train I see all sorts of bikes, ebikes, escooters, and skateboards being used.
Electric microtransit is awesome in the right situation: able bodied, acceptable weather, minimal cargo, traveling solo, secure vehicle storage at destination. Waymo vehicles will be an excellent tool in the toolkit for moving people safely, efficiently, and affordably.
That right situation describes the vast majority of peoples trips. Not many disabled people hauling a cord of wood through a blizzard very often. Most peoples trips by far are their single occupant commute to and from work.
That's very fortunate or very strategic of you to choose your home and workplace to work so well with the bus routes. Most people in the US do not have a bus stop within 50 meters of their home and workplace (and certainly not a single bus line that operates frequently at all times needed).
