>you really should walk or take a train

Truly reliable and useful public transit is a luxury in the United States that isn't available to a huge majority of the country.

Walking also isn't an option for many people due to safety, health reasons, scheduling, childcare needs, and not to mention just too much stuff to carry.

He lives in SF. He can walk or train where he needs to go.

Uber is a 2-3 times a month kind of thing; otherwise, I take the bus. More importantly, the $25 was completely unexpected.

Again, if you are cutting it that close you should not be taking "luxury" transportation, barring needing to go to the ER.. in which case, maybe that hold was worth it.