Public transportation I support when it works...
Back home (upstate NY has an excellent system (CDTA) that is reliable, cost effective, and convenient.
Unfortunately... here in Greensboro was have GTA. Buses only run every 30 mins and totally shut down at 10:30pm and don't start back up till 5:30am on weekdays. They also employ the hub system where all buses come back to the depot and you can only transfer from one to another bus at the hub.
To top that off they very seldom are on time and usually you have a 30min wait to catch your next bus.
Most routes there is very seldom full buses... except for the two major routes that usually leave the depot without any standing room. GTA seems to not care if your late for work or not and have supervisors that are rude even by yankee standards.
Oh they just jacked the price another dime... the second increase this year already.
At the last board meeting myself and a few hundred other riders we're basically told that the system is what it is and if we don't like it ...walk.
It was also mentioned that railroads should be taking over more of the truck shipments going coast to coast.
I agree, railroads are much better for long distance hauling. Course America's rail system is in bad shape. And are already operating at close to 100%
There is also a shortage of engineers... UP,BNSF,& NS to name a few have all reported to the FRA that they need at least 100,000 new engineers within the next few years. And are asking for federal permission to reduce train crews to one operator. BSNF is also asking for permission to start experimenting with robotic trains on the class 2 & 3 routes.
So yes,I support public transportation and see it as a key part to America dealing with higher oil prices and dwindling supplies. But it is only one part of a bigger puzzle.
-p
