tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254275556127802599.post3250095320762122547..comments2023-10-24T10:53:32.288-04:00Comments on Rights of Way: 5 Reasons to Prefer BusesC Nealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865122912479524567noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254275556127802599.post-58261573616359171472012-08-22T13:06:24.428-04:002012-08-22T13:06:24.428-04:00Fixing our bus system is a central part of why I&#...Fixing our bus system is a central part of why I'm running. We need an alternative transportation system that works well.<br /><br />Portland's Public Transportation: Our future must meet 21st Century public transit needs. Declining car ownership and rising bus ridership make it clear that fixing our bus system should be a top priority. A few simple steps could go a long way to making METRO a better alternative to relying on private automobiles. Both GPS bus trackers and scheduling apps are a good start, but what we really need is even more fundamental: we need more bus shelters to protect commuters from the weather, and more benches for those waiting for a ride. Our most frequently used bus stops should have real-time displays indicating when buses are scheduled to arrive. In addition to infrastructure, we need to take a look at whether our current scheduling – with no service on Sundays or holidays – is meeting the needs of our citizens. Making our bus system more commuter friendly and reducing the opportunity costs associated with taking the bus makes sense for all of us. Portland is a great city - we deserve great public transit.<br /><br />Also, we need to do a better job promoting ridership. METRO's entire 2012 marketing budget was only $17,000 - that's less than 1 percent of its $6.5 million dollar budget for the year. Similar to other cities, we need to conduct more advertising and offer free service twice a year to encourage first-time riders. By increasing ridership and operating at closer to capacity, economies of scale would allow us to further improve our public transit system in real and tangible ways.Wells lyonshttp://www.wellslyons.comnoreply@blogger.com