@Sybe @Mark116
Yes, I have often heard that about the US, but I've also noticed a lot of American guests seem suspicious of public transport/alternatives to driving where they are available. It might be because they are not so reliable, take too long or perhaps people feel they aren't safe.
Quite a few years back, some friends and I were planning a 'road trip' in California, but decided to do it by train instead as it seemed less stressful and was cheap. We never went because one of the group didn't get her visa in time. Another time, I looked into getting the train from Toronto to NYC. I heard that the route, especially as you approach NYC, was very scenic. Again, that trip never happened. Of course, I am not talking about very rural or remote areas, but whenever I've mentioned these plans to an American guest, they look at me in horror!
My aunt went to stay in Florida (can't remember the exact location) to visit her son who was living their at the time. Although it was a nice neighbourhood, she said she was the only one walking on the street and that people were literally leaning out of their cars staring at her as if she was a lunatic.
Of course, I have also hosted American guests who do use public transport at home, but it seems like they are the minority.
@Sybe Like you say, it does depend on where you live and it's not just the USA that maybe has less transport options. One of my long term guests had decided to spend her summer (three months off from university) in a village in the middle of nowhere in Wales. I pointed out to her that it might not be the best plan seeing as she wouldn't have a car and the village didn't even have a corner shop. She had not done her research. There was only one bus that went there, not three times a day, but three times a week!