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Improve Public Transit
kenneth.bledsoe at 2/19/2008 4:42PM
Improve Public Transit
Public transit in most parts of the United States is abysmal. On Day One, the next president should start an initiative to help smaller cities get funding to build or improve public transit systems. This will help alleviate the massive traffic problems faced in so many places, reduce dependence on oil, reduce drunk driving problems, create a stronger sense of community among strangers, and help to alter the outdated patterns of development that are killing our country's natural beauty.
Before I got married, I lived 8 miles from work. Since I moved in with my husband, I live 27 miles from work. My vehicle gets 28 mpg, so I use nearly 2gal per day now instead of .6gal/day like before. I used to have to fill up my tank every 2 weeks. Now I fill up every 4-5 days. The cost used to be $10 per fill up ($20/month), but it's now an average of $25 per fill up ($150/month). That's just under 1/2 of one bimonthy paycheck for me!!!
If we had a public transit system that ran when and where I needed it, you can bet I'd use it!!! There are two bus services that service the tri-county area, but neither come as far west as the place I work, let alone all the way to the county I live in. If they did, I could get a pass to use both bus systems for $50/month.
I have been there. I finally moved to a new place where I could use public transit, and I love it. I almost NEVER drive now, and I am a much happier, calmer person who gets to read the paper on the way to work instead of yelling at perfect strangers for their driving habits. I feel more like a part of my neighborhood, and I save money.
If you look at what the EPA wants to do now, however, they want to reduce traffic congestion by tolling more and privatizing road systems. People will not stop driving en masse because it costs more--gas prices have shown us that. Most people drive because they NEED to and will only stop or reduce driving if there's a viable alternative to it.
We need to demonstrate to the government that if they build it, we will ride--and this has happened to some extent, though in typical Administration fashion, they are still choosing to ignore this fact. Ridership on public transit has increased lately, yet they still would rather put money normally earmarked for new transit systems into the privatization of the existing road system.
This is a stupid, stupid approach if you ask me, and I would guess that you would agree Anon.
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