A Better Way to Go on the bus

Rather than preach to the sinners driving alone to and from work, frustrated by crowded roads and wasting money while endangering the environment, I will address myself to the choir: Transit advocates and anyone who wishes to see a viable, modern alternative to the automobile, should download a copy of the CalPIRG Education Fund's report, "A Better Way to Go: Meeting America's 21st Century Transportation Challenges with Modern Public Transit."

Don't just read the five page executive summary. Take the time to read all 76 pages.

"The Interstate highway system is now completed. And we simply do not need, and cannot afford—either financially, environmentally, or in terms of energy security—to continue to make massive investments in new highway infrastructure.

"The time has come for the United States to prioritize the modes of transit that were neglected during the highway building boom of the mid- to late 20th century — transit, inter-city rail, bicycling and walking, among others. State and federal leaders should shift their priorities for new transportation infrastructure investment away from highways and toward clean transportation alternatives."

For the next few days I will using CalPIRG's report as a jumping off point to preach to the sinners and to rally support.

"Building a modern, efficient transit system for the 21st century isn’t going to happen overnight and it is not going to be easy. It will take vision, resources, public support and political will. To get there, transit advocates must create a vision of transit as a national priority, present a roadmap for future transit expansion to the American people, and identify the resources it will take to make that vision a reality."