Maybe you had a bad experience with trains on your area, but I move equally fast on train than in car (taking account waiting the train and fighting for a parking space) for long distances… for my daily routine i waist a little more of time xause i have to walk 1 km from the station.

About the price… yep, the car is cheaper once you paid the initial investment.

I pay around 240 us$ anually to move to work by train (4 km).

On a car (diesel, local prices, 6,5 L/100 Km consumption) i would be paying 147 US$ just on gas. On that i have to add fees, taxes, repairment and parking…

Conclusion: bike/motorbike besto transporto