Ok, public transportation is the opposite of glamorous, but that's exactly why it's important to keep reminding ourselves (and our lawmakers) of its importance in the big scheme of things. Apparent 'solutions' to the emissions crisis like hybrid or hydrogen fuel-cell cars garner the spotlight because they combine gee-whiz technology and the lure of the familiar (a change that will permit us to keep living exactly as we do -- no need to change development patterns or driving habits!).
So here are my top ten reasons to take public transit:
10. Have time to read.
9. Indulge your people-watching jones.
8. Indulge your eavesdropping jones.
7. See new neighborhoods in your city.
6. Save money (even if your city's buses cost $1.75/ride as ours do here, it's still an enormous savings over owning, maintaining, insuring, fueling and parking a car).
5. Get more exercise, as you walk to and from the bus stop.
4. Zone out on the way to work rather than playing chicken with feral drivers.
3. Never have to worry about parking when you reach your destination.
2. Be a part of a real solution, not part of a real problem.
and the number one reason to take public transporation is...
1. Get out of your bubble and live!
Here are a couple of links to organizations working on the policy aspects of public transportation, especially as it is implicated in smart growth:
Surface Transportation Policy Partnership
Smart Growth America
and a smart political blog -- not devoted to public transportation but has an on-going thread about abandoning one's car in favor of the bus in Asheville, NC:
brainshrub
1 comment:
Hey, thanks for the comment on my blog. I like your writing and ideas. I just wish we had better public transportation options in my town (St. Louis). You are onto something about it solving many problems.
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