Gina Palandri wrote:
conditioning. For the theory of how this wonderful thing of public
transportation to be utilized correctly; people must learn how to use
the buses to get to the trains. And they should be discouraged from
driving a half a block to the stations. Self righteousness about owning
or not owning vehicles is irrelevant. Whether or not we have lived in
DC, or NY, or San Fran; is not the point. If we want our Minneapolis
system to work; all of these other systems need to be in place.
I understand your position, but the stakes here are high. I've seen complaints about media coverage, and rightfully so. What we all need to understand is that this is the state of our society and democracy. We need to be careful how we work toward solving problems or we're going to get buried by special interests. Remember that when speaking to the media, you are speaking to representatives of a business with an agenda. I'm not at all surprised that KSTP distorted the message to make it seem more inflammatory. They are the new Fox News. They sell controversey.
I can predict with near certainty that the Taxpayer's League will use this parking flare-up to unfairly discredit LRT and transit in general. Complaining to the media is not helping our cause. Blaming Metro Transit as the sole culprit is not helping our cause. Both will only motivate transit opponents. Already we're getting legislators making the ridiculous accusation that Metro Transit is cooking the books on rail. We have to be smart or we're going to lose transit and make things even worse.
I applaud Gina for pushing Metro Transit to advertise the bus service. She's absolutely right. I like the idea of placing bus schedules on cars parking in the neighborhood, but it must be done carefully. Right now, with the hostility expressed by the signs around the neighbord, such an action would only _turn_off_ people from considering the bus. Let things cool off first. And when schedules are placed it needs to be done by Metro Transit officials.
Right now, perhaps Metro Transit can instead create kiosks at and near the stations that contain connecting bus schedules to/from the station. Make them prominently visible and eye-catching.
I also agree with posters who point out that public streets are public. Living near the rail line has many benefits and few drawbacks. One of those drawbacks is a loss of parking for residents and it's not something to be ignored. But building lots and structures will only increase the problem. We need to help people to "think transit."
As for game-day riders, I have no sympathy to complaints about them. One of the reasons the line was built where it was is the access to the Dome. These people _should_ be taking transit. That's why it's there! Most of them _do_ park at Fort Snelling. I know because I ride the train from work when the sports crowds are on-board and see how many board at each station.
David Greene
Lowry Hill East
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