The United States of Transit Cutbacks

Jobs and Pocketbooks Threatened as Transit Agencies Face Cutting Jobs and Service, Raising Fares

With ridership at record highs, transit agencies across the country are facing unprecedented fiscal crises in this economic downturn, with many considering layoffs, service cuts and fare hikes that are hitting at the worst possible time, a compilation of nationwide data shows. This map below, compiled from nationwide media coverage of proposed cuts, highlights 38 communities across the U.S. that face job cuts, service reductions and fare hikes, but will receive no assistance under the current recovery proposals before Congress to prevent these painful cuts.

Emergency operating assistance in the recovery package will create and save jobs immediately with relatively limited investment. Every $1 billion invested in public transit operations generates 60,000 jobs.

“Our economy increasingly relies on public transit to function effectively, yet local systems are being forced to lay off workers and make cuts that will slow down economic growth and punish workers — including many low-income households who rely on transit to reach jobs,” said Geoff Anderson, co-chair of Transportation For America. “If we are serious about putting Americans back-to-work with this recovery plan, shouldn’t we also ensure that those who already have jobs don’t lose them?” <a href="http://t4america.org/transitcuts">http://t4america.org/transitcuts</a>;

by B' Spokes

Like most people I live a hectic life and who has the time for much exercise? Thanks to xtracycle now I do. By using my bike for daily activities I can get things done and get an hour plus work out in 15 minutes extra of my time, not a bad deal and beats taking the extra time going to the gym. In case you are still having trouble being motivated; the National Center of Disease Control says that inactivity is the #2 killer in the United States just behind smoking. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/ ) Get out there and start living life! I can carry home a full shopping cart of groceries, car pool two kids or just get lost in the great outdoors camping for a week. Well I got go, another outing this weekend.
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Cutting back on public transportation? Nice background for Baltimore to pay attention to while planning its Red Line. The train schedule and the human schedule are often in conflict. The Red Line is a bad idea as it's operating expenses are as tied to energy costs as cars are. What the government gives, the government takes away. As far as cars are concerned, there are new ones being conceived of and designed as I write this, and the fuel efficiency is impressive. We need better roads that have room for both motorized and non motorized transportation. Roads based on 21st century thinking and needs, not roads that were "designed" well over a century ago, when pedestrians and equestrians were dominant. The only major change to the road network has been the pavement itself and the interstate system. The northeast and mid atlantic road networks emerged from point to point trails, and had little or no planning. As a result we have shoulder-less two lane two way roads that are frustrating for cars and dangerous for all others. Road systems have inherent multi-use capability, rail systems do not. Rail lines only work with very large concentrated populations and a good economy. Does Baltimore meet these criteria?