Can i ask what everyone's gripe is with public transport? Sure sometimes it can be unreliable, but since when has anyone ever been smack on time for all meetings, appointments etc etc. The larger percentage of public transport users may be from a lower socio-economic background, but does that mean you will boycott visiting suburbs like Elizabeth North and Davoren Park?
I have been regularly catching public transport for 2 years, on and off for many more, and i have never been threatened, yelled at, etc etc. Sure, the odd train or bus is a few mins late, but i can live with that.
Plus, $27.80 (soon to be $29) a week, 10 trips (5 to work, 5 home) is a shitload better than ~$15 parking per day, plus petrol and general roadworthy costs related with driving your own vehicle.
Ill add that catching the train between 8:00ish and 9:30ish am, and 4:30ish and 6:00ish pm means your on the train with CBD workers, 99% of the time its a quiet, hassle free, on time trip.