Could a car or at least access to a car match the convenience of a bus/public transport?

I passed my driving test when I started uni (2011) but didn't get a car until I graduated (2014) and that was to allow me to travel to my PGCE placements (Tyne Met College & East Durham College). I did bus it a couple from times but it took an age and when i finished late on a night it was awful.

Fast forward 10 year or so after my teaching and bus driving careers I'm now a driving instructor. The main reason I'm getting from my students is that they can't get to/from work using public transport or it limits what hours they can work. My first student this morning for example lives in Cleadon, has one job on Sea Road in Fulwell, a second job in the bridges and university in Sunderland. She also cares for her elderly relatives in Grangetown but nowhere near a bus stop.

Me personally, if I travel to Sunderland (alone) I get bus but if we go as a family, the car is cheaper. To Newcastle, we park at the Metrocentre (free) and bus it.