We should wait for the bus, another time
It’s just a thought, but if the transit systems of our world want to cajole some of those automobile automatons onto the bus, there are a few things that will have to be done better. Today was “Leave Your Car At Home” day in many cities, including this one. Based on what i saw this afternoon, it wasn’t a big success.
I have been “on the bus” for most of my life, so I wasn’t part of the target group. I accept that public transit has a few warts. I also wish for a greener attitude in the neighbourhood. Here are a few of the lumpy parts from today. If you have a special day, put on a few extra bus runs. We were FULL today, but that may have been due to the unexplained twenty-five minute delay on a scheduled thirty minute timetable. Offer a free day – one out of three hundred and sixty-five shouldn’t break the bank, given that most of the regular crowd already have purchased a pass for the month. Consider something out of the ordinary – put the buses that break down and leak diesel fuel all over the road back into the repair queue. The information booth set up in the day-long pedestrian mall downtown shouldn’t be blocked by bicycles on display (chains and all). Think about something a little more enticing than a folder paper handout. Come on, transit authority, try a little bit harder.
As for the rest of the efforts by the city, my congratulations. I’d like to see Vieux Quebec closed to lines of cars on a regular basis. The grass strip down the middle of rue St-Jean was an interesting idea. Let’s keep it, and nurture it.
