I would like to add a third kind of person who uses transit (there are
also probably many other types of people who use transit). I choose to
use transit and don't own a car (but I could afford one if I chose)
because of global warming and the environmental impact of automobiles. I
know that I'm not the only one like this, and I also think this type of
transit-using people will be growing in number as folks realize how
dangerous the overreliance on car transport is to life on earth.
Caraholics always say they need their cars because they need to make all
these side trips, and I do feel pity for them. But if you don't drive
you find that you schedule and arrange things differently (call it
linear living), so you don't have to be running back and forth so much.
People around the world really are coming to their senses and giving up
cars. This will catch on in Minneapolis, the city will change, and if
someone needs to go just a few blocks a pedicab, a streetcar, a scooter,
a pogo stick or a nice pair of walking shoes will be so much more
convenient and planet-friendly than an electric car shuttle system.
Here's to 2001!
John Akre
Sheridan Neighborhood
www.sheridanneighborhood.org
PS: Basing a transportation system on the presumption of traction
between rubber tires and asphalt roads just seems silly in a place with
winter days like this one. I'm looking forward to rail transport in
Minneapolis.
>
> Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2000 23:15:13 -0800
> From: "Carol Becker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: Electric Car Shuttle System
> Message-ID: <000d01c0709d$ec776d40$[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> Part of the answer lies in why people ride transit. There are two kinds of
> people who ride transit: people who have no other transit option (mainly the
> poor, disabled, and elderly) and those who are going to work. In the Twin
> Cities, 32% of riders have no other transit option and 81% of people are
> going to work. Also, 75% of persons riding transit are doing so during the
> rush hour.
>
> For the people going to work (the majority of riders), they usually are not
> making multiple stops. They are going from work to home or home to work.
> If they need to make multiple stops, they usually drive (70% of folksing
> taking transit have access to a car) or they use pool cars provided by their
> employer.
>
> Carol Becker
> Longfellow
