[Winona Online Democracy] I was pleasantly surprised upon moving to Winona seven years ago to find out that I could commute to work from my Windom Park neighborhood to the airport using the bus. So, that's what I've been doing ever since. This has made it possible for my wife and I to get along just fine with one car. We have no need to pave any of the yard, or send big chunks of money out of the community in the form of car payments.
We probably wouldn't use evening or weekend bus service since most of our day to day shopping and entertainment needs can be found downtown within walking and bicycling distance. And, of course, we do have the one car. On my bus, there are a few who could probably get to work by car if need be. There are others who for one reason or another need public transportation. In my case, I get on close to the start of the route, so the bus arrives at a very predictable time and I can return home at a couple of different times that suit my work hours. The bus drivers know where to expect regular riders and make an extra effort to see that their customers are well served. When the routes were rearranged last year, it didn't disrupt my routine, but I heard that it caused big problems for the east end ORC workers. Of course, the lack of evening and weekend service leaves out those who work other than a Monday to Friday daytime job. But if we are committed to following the suburban growth model of dispersed big box retailers and strip malls located to facilitate automobile travel, I don't see how the general public would provide enough riders to finance expanded bus service. Have any of you WODs ever used public transit since getting a drivers license? I don't see how "park and ride" facilities would accomplish anything in Winona. If you have a car and have driven it part way to town, there doesn't seem to be any reason to switch to a bus since every business I'm aware of has adequate free parking. John N. Finn _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
