I agree public transport is lamentable. Complicated pricing, no integration between different modes, train companies who focus on avoiding fines for delays rather than serving customers (i.e. not stopping at scheduled stations to "make up time"), etc.
But: in these days of global communications, video conf (webcam etc), Skype etc. - ask yourself if you really need to make that plane journey? Does Bratislava or Prague really need a load of pi$$ed up British stag doers rampaging through its beautiful old city centres? Many people fly these days "because it's cheap so I will" not "because I need to". That is selfish and greedy. Many people these days have too much money and the wrong priorities. They should save that money, give it to their children, or to charity, instead of wasting it on "me me me" indulgences. So many passenger miles these days are frivolous. Bring on the tax I say, and filter out the wheat from the chavs. (that was a pun, by the way).
[puts on tin hat and retires to bunker]