Highly Local Bus Service help build community

[noisebeam]

A nice feel good article about bus routes that serve neighborhood streets vs. just arterials:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/0207tr-jupiter0208.html

They travel on a set route from one neighborhood to another and will pick-up drop off anywhere on route. I've found it fun to use.

Al

[wheel]

I just moved to the Earth Shuttle it is fantastic going deep into neighborhood so I don't have to walk as far.

They're free

I can go to two parks, a rec center, a huge shopping mall. and downtown Tempe!
I see them as a big hit.
I don't even bicycle as much anymore because I take the shuttle to the park or where ever.

Imagine if transit was free

[Elkhound]

I just moved to the Earth Shuttle it is fantastic going deep into neighborhood so I don't have to walk as far.

They're free

I can go to two parks, a rec center, a huge shopping mall. and downtown Tempe!
I see them as a big hit.
I don't even bicycle as much anymore because I take the shuttle to the park or where ever.

Imagine if transit was free

Transit can't be free. The busses cost money to buy and maintain, the fuel costs, the drivers and mechanics must be payed. The money to pay them must come from somewhere. The question is should it be given voluntarily by those who use it, or extracted by the state's coercive power from the general citizenry.

[noisebeam]

I rarely use it, but will gladly pay for it from my taxes.

[Elkhound]

I rarely use it, but will gladly pay for it from my taxes.

That mass transit provides a large enough public good that it should be supported by the taxpayers money is an arguable position, and indeed one which I share. However, calling it "free" is disengenuous.