You're spot on, but there is a use. It's sometimes handy to have a chunk of your life where you're forced to be idle for blocks of time. I loved taking the bus for that reason, because there was always a distraction at home, and I was busy at school. So the long (1.5 hour each way) bus commute was great for reading or just clearing out the mind (I'm an introvert, so long periodic stretches of isolation are nice).

Of course, I like being only 15 minutes from home. But I miss having that external crutch a bit.