Equal Opportunity & Social Mobility
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
Transportation is a hot topic in Omaha these days, and the recent honor awarded to Mexico City’s bus system from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government made us wonder if all that’s going on is actually going to result in a more sustainable transportation system in Omaha. While great new programs such as the new Pass to Class partnership between Metropolitan Community College and Metro Area Transit are sure to increase ridership on the Omaha bus system, Omaha’s culture is largely rooted in automobile trips. Are the decisions our leaders are making related to this issue in the best interest of all Omahans, or just those who can afford to own and operate a vehicle? This question and ones like it will be explored at the next VOICE Public Meeting. We hope you can make it.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:56 am
“just those who can afford to own and operate a vehicle” assumes that people don’t choose to use MAT. As a daily rider, I can tell you that a number of professionals use the bus for commuting — but certainly not enough!
Discretionary ridership is the best opportunity MAT has for increased revenue and improve the system. Pass to Class is a great program that gives young Omahans the opportunity to try transit. Kudos to MCC for being a vanguard of transit policy. Raspberries to Creighton and UNO who refuse to promote transit as an option for their student populations.
Good transit builds better communities. If we wait for the transit system we want, we will wait forever in frustration. To get the transit we want we MUST use the transit we have. We need to stop talking and start riding.