Friday, April 29, 2016

Baby-steps, but important ones, toward #publictransit in #sprawlurbia

The Ball State Daily :: Does Muncie need more public transportation options?: "“If we made trains look cool, if we made mass transit look like something that is cutting-edge or part of not only to address socioeconomic issues but also business development, it would address some of the Republican concerns and their opposition,” he said. “Until the public decides that it is something to be supported, by whatever measures, it’s going to sort of be in limbo.”

Marta Moody, executive director for the Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Plan Commission, does federal transportation planning for all modes of transportation.

She said public transportation is important — much more than people realize. 

“Public transportation is as much a quality of life issue as your bike lanes, as your sidewalks and as your parks," Moody said. "It is a community amenity.”"

Saturday, April 9, 2016

People in Oklahoma beg for #publictransit to continue

enidnews.com: "Smith said it would be devastating not to have the service.

"It would be great if we could expand the services. I would be all for that. I remember years ago when they used to run till 10 o'clock at night. I miss the Saturday dispatcher, but I understand how those things have happened, and they're cost-saving measures and it's worked out.

"At the bare minimum, if we can at least keep what we have now, that's fabulous. Just please, please, I implore all of you, not to ever do away with the Enid Transit because it will have devastating consequences in so many of our lives. We appreciate that you do have the service available for us, and just want it to continue.""

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Hearing speakers express support for public transportation

enidnews.com : "Elda Jones said she has used Enid Transit for eight or nine years, after moving from Alva because there was public transportation available in Enid. She uses the service two to three times a week.

As a volunteer at Loaves & Fishes of Northwest Oklahoma, Jones sees others using the service as well. 

"To see the clients coming in and shopping and going home, they have to take public transportation. There's no other way, and the food is necessary, they've got to have the food," she said. "I know that the public transportation is not making money, but it's not there. It's for a public service." 

Several users of Enid Transit expressed a desire to have the service expanded beyond the 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. hours offered Monday through Saturday.

Among them, Diana Smith said she is a legally blind resident of Enid.

"Without the Enid Transit, I could not go to work every day," she said."