In "Gridlock," Ben Elton highlights the stark contrast between modern technological advancements and the lack of effective public transport solutions. The quote raises a critical point about society's capacity to innovate, suggesting that despite the sophistication required to create complex machines like the internal combustion engine, we have struggled to establish affordable and efficient public transportation systems.

This deficiency has led to widespread congestion, with insufficient buses and severely underfunded rail services leaving the populace frustrated and trapped in traffic. Elton's narrative emphasizes the irony of our technological prowess being undermined by inadequate infrastructure, ultimately affecting the daily lives of individuals who rely on transportation.