Lincolnite

<i>To what extent does a community Lincoln

I totally agree with you. At a time when we are trying to encourage people to use public transport, not consume fuel, and strengthen basic infrastructure, cutting the bus system drastically seems antithetical to those goals. Especially when those most harmed would be the most vulnerable in our community.

<em>While that question was loaded with judgment from the start, I

Interesting subject.  Yes - I think any city the size of Lincoln or larger has a duty to provide public transportation.  The reason for doing so far outweigh reasons against.  Besides the obvious reduction in traffic congestion (stand on the side of Capitol Parkway some morning and count the cars with 1 person only….around 80% consistenely), wear and tear on infrastructure and fuel savings, another factor to consider is the changing demographics in this country:

(borrowed the following - link below)

The baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) will start turning 65 in 2011, and the number of older people will increase dramatically during the 2010-2030 period.

More than 36 million Americans are age 65 or older today. By 2030, this number of will double and one in five Americans will be 65 or older.

The 2005 White House Conference on Aging ranked transportation options for older Americans to be among the top three priorities facing seniors. If we fail to expand and sustain mobility options for older members of society, there will be significant negative social and economic consequences.

(end of borrowed text)

Another unusual aspect of StarTran is that it is operated by the city council.

Nearly all public transportation in the US is operated by transit authorities or agencies, with elected boards of directors, abilities to request tax hikes, issue bonds, etc.  With StarTran essentially being run by politicians, it will increasingly be played as a political tool instead of being treated as an essential service.

And how about an train from Lincoln airport to Eppley with stops at City campus, East Campus and a few more before Omaha?

Interesting speech:
http://www.apta.com/government_affairs/aptatest/testimony060720.cfm

“Another unusual aspect of StarTran is that it is operated by the city council.”

That conjures up images in my head of Jon Camp driving the buses and being the first person you see when you enter. I’m sure, as a rider, you could get your fill of stories about the Haymarket, and how those upstarts at WRK (or whatever) will ruin the whole place.

Can you see Robin E. filling up the buses? How about Ken Svoboda taking care of all the grassy areas and weeds in the… oh wait, scratch that one.

No community of any size has a ‘responsibility’ to get its members around town.

For 99% of the buses to make a circuit through downtown.  There are MANY cities that are the size of Lincoln that don’t do this.  What’s wrong with having to change to a different bus to get to downtown???  Seems to me that would be a good way to save some fuel.

But then I remember that StarTran ISN’T in it to make money.  It’s a dodge for the city council.

Sorry, late reply…

It was the “certain populations” comment and our “responsibilities” to them.  This has less to do with those certain people and more to do with keeping our economy running smoothly.  (Also with our need for efficient public transport!)

Thanks!  I agree with your comments.  While I know that a lot of people believe that we don’t have a “responsibility” to the poor, taking away public transport is a pretty scary concept.  I really want my less fortunate neighbors to have jobs, and I’d happily pay for it.