Because missing important appointment (Termin) that you have arranged 3 fucking months before by waiting in a phone queue for 30 minutes because your Sbahn was cancelled because of a nonsense signal-related reason is so much better.

I'm not denying that rail service quality has gone down the drain in Germany.

The foolproof transportation is to take a bicycle.

I kind of agree and disagree with you. My main train lines in Berlin are U8 and Ring and it can be annoying sometimes.

And I will still probably never get a driver's license. Been going without for 40 years already. Just being able to jump into any train, bus, tram or ferry anytime is really nice. I could pay double the monthly price for this privilege.

Sadly related:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI8PlJkqvc0