How will we use Skytran?  This page gives some basics; the headings above give more details for specific groups of people.

Getting to a station

Because SkyTran guideways are relatively inexpensive, cities can afford a far denser grid of guideways than they could or light rail lines or freeways. The density will vary with local commuting patterns and population density, but we expect most cities will have a SkyTran line every 1/2 to 1 mile; so the average walk to a station will be 1/4 to 1/2 a mile. The expected 40% or greater replacement of automobiles by SkyTran will make this a more pleasant walk, with fewer cars roaring past, less air pollution and some road lanes and parking areas converted to open space to enjoy while you get a little healthy exercise. If you're in a hurry, the back seat of the SkyTran can hold a Segway or a folding bike (or ordinary bike with the front wheel popped off) to take you the last few blocks.

Starting your trip

SkyTran's designers have put considerable effort into streamlining the boarding process. As you approach the car, its door opens automatically. Seats are at the ergonomically correct height, and there is no "lip" at the bottom of the door; so even elderly and mobility-impaired people can board easily. As soon as you put your seatbelts on, the door closes automatically and the car starts moving even while you are choosing and confirming your destination by voice input or touchscreen. (If you choose to let the system remember your usual and/or recent destinations, it will be very quick to choose one of them.) Like most modern public transportation systems, SkyTran will accept a Radio Frequency ID (RFID, about the size of a small grain of rice) payment card in your wallet or a keychain token that you load with cash online or at a kiosk.

Many public transportation systems have a standard fare, but because SkyTran is fully automated, you will only pay for the distance you actually travel. Employers of mobile professionals, from police to visiting nurses to cleaning crews, will give their employees tokens and get an itemized bill.  Parents can give their pre-teen and teenage children payment cards that only take them to the destinations they approve (perhaps changing with the time of day).

Leaving a Station

In urban areas, many large buildings will have SkyTran stations attached to the side of the building; so you step out and walk right into the building. SkyTran stations in  urban areas will often have "bike share" rent-a-bike (or scooter, or Segway) racks nearby -- you can check what's available online before you go and bring your folding bike or scooter only if you will need it.

Larger Distances from Stations

Because SkyTran lines are cheaper than commuter rail or freeways, they will be extended farther out of town than rail lines are and even to smaller towns and cities several hundred miles away. However, getting to and from stations on a more spread-out grid will require other vehicles. Zipcar rentals and taxis will do a good business for visitors. Regular commuters will probably park cars at the station or have their spouse drop them off as they do today for commuter rail.  Even if the nearest SkyTran station is 10 miles away, it will still dramatically improve your travel options. You can commute 100 miles to work or the nearest Wal-Mart, but only need to drive for a few minutes instead of hours. Environmentalists can even use an electric car with a limited range, and let it recharge at the station with energy from a distant wind farm.  For many people, using SkyTran plus other methods will be cheaper than owning and driving a car all the way to work each day.

Availability

Since SkyTran doesn't require drivers, there's no need to shut down the system during low-use times like holidays and late at night. Furthermore, SkyTran stations will have cars waiting for you when you arrive -- vehicles wait for you, not the other way around. This always-available transportation shares an important characteristic of a private automobile without the expense.

Cargo

The back seat of a SkyTran car will be able to hold pretty much anything you're likely to be carrying.  In additional, since the cars don't require drivers, you can send cargo-only cars to your destination, and program it to arrive right after your car so you can unload it. Or the store you shopped at (or their warehouse across town) can ship your purchases from its dedicated SkyTran shipping station, perhaps to a convenience store near your house that stores them for you until you get home.

Other Perspectives:

• Teachers: Plan lessons on your way to work. Without the need for school parking lots, schools can spend less on land and more on teaching.
• Accident Victims: (not including all the auto accidents that didn't happen) A SkyTran car can take you right into the emergency room.
• Off-roader: Tear up the road on the weekends with the gas you saved using SkyTran all week.
  
• Racers: Want to get to the track faster than your car can take you? SkyTran's for you too.
• Home owners: See your home's value rise as SkyTran finally makes travel easy.
• Fireman: Get volunteers to the fire faster!