There are many thousands of elderly folks who depend on the bus system for all sorts of reasons. The handicap-accessible buses are particularly useful because metro mobility service is limited and expensive. Taxis are prohibitively expensive for all but the most essential trips.
It is no accident that people who are disabled ride for 50 cents 24/7 or who are on medicare ride for 50 cents except during weekday rush hours. There are many seniors who use those 50-cent rides to give structure to their days. It is not just that trips are necessary. Trips are also therapeutic, enable socialization opportunities, make de facto statements about independent living, and just create a myriad of free choices. Great for cabin fever and often making a virtue of necessity. Take that away for a long time - six weeks, three months, whatever - and real harm will result. Fred Markus, West Phillips REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
