I would like to respond to George Chapman’s Dec. 25 commentary, “Government shouldn’t look for excuses to spend money.”
Although I like the idea of expanding public transit, it needs to be done more surgically. Typically the buses and trains work well for commuters to and from a workplace or business.
If a patron needs to carry large or many items, then public transportation is impractical. Many people run errands to shop either for food, clothing or household items. Trips to a doctor or emergency can expose others to virus, colds, flu or other infections. Trying to travel to the airport requires accommodating luggage, which is again unwieldy on public transportation. If you are driven to the train parking lot, they may as well drive to the airport and drop you off. No parking fees, you get to your correct gate quicker and minimize maneuvering luggage.
Trying to maneuver large packages on public transportation is limiting. I agree with combining errands, but a load can be unwieldy.
As Chapman said, a private vehicle is more cost effective when transporting several people. I don’t see the private vehicle going away any time soon.
Where the government can help in reducing costs for residents is smartly increasing ridership for public transportation and improving roads for better fuel mileage. Encouraging that private vehicle to be hybrid or electric would even be better by reducing emissions that pollute the air and lessening our dependence on fossil fuels.
Marilyn Marshall, Magna