Hi folks,
The transit cuts have me worried, and I'm not even transit dependent. I've been considering giving up my car to save money and to more fully live my principles by using transit, thereby eliminating another extra car from the roads. Poor timing, on my part, given the Guv/Met Council's short-sighted plan to raise fares and cut service.
What so many fail to understand (but some of you have written about) is the issue of _Critical Mass_ in developing transit solutions that work. The psychological effect of reading about "less service, higher fares" is that people begin to plan for auto transit and other options. Ironically, it's a well-traveled and frequent service that attracts riders like me.
If I have to wait a long time, or have poor options for transfers to get to where I need to go, I take use selfish "rational choice" option and use my car. If I know there's a bus every 6-8 minutes, then I'm more likely to rely on it as a viable solution.
Would anyone be interested in helping to organize a grassroots bus-rider campaign, riding the buses and talking to fellow riders, perhaps handing out a small (recycled) lit piece and getting more critical mass ridership? Maybe we could do something like "invite a friend" to ride the bus? Or hand out "Never Park The Bus" buttons to people? (Disclaimer: that's my favorite button from Wellstone Action, and I wear this green icon faithfully). Donating bus tokens? Bus-share (like foodshare?) Other ideas?
Cristy
* * * * * * * * * * * Cristy A. De La Cruz Highland Park
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