As a public transit user (I don't own a car) I am very interested in this
transit thread. I totally agree that increasing population density is the
long term answer to making public transportation effective. Of course in
Minneapolis we have sprawled. We work hard to create X amount of new jobs
downtown, but do not create the housing or educational opportunities that
would allow for city residents to hold these jobs. Hence, surburbanites must
commute (drive) into the city to work.
The current thought is that we need more freeways so these workers from the
outlying areas can more quickly drive in to take these jobs. Meanwhile, the
city dwellers on the lowest rung of the employment ladder get bussed out to
the suburbs to work their low-paying, assembly-type jobs. I have heard with
my own ears non-profit economic development groups bemoan the lack of
low-paying, low skilled jobs in the core city. Does this mean we should work
harder to create these low-paying, deadend jobs here?
Carol Becker, you make reference in your post to the fact that we underfund
public transit. How much lower is the rate we fund public transit here than
the national average? Would you please let me know where you got your stats?
Thanks,
Robert Lilligren
Candidate for City Council
Ward 8, Phillips West
www.VoteRobert.com
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