Busing
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/apr/05/more-riders-katching-on/
This article says that more people are taking buses because of rising gas prices, for the most part. Some people, though, take the bus because they like to sit back and enjoy the ride. The buses are a LOT more green, and they are cheaper, as well. Although the buses are not an option for many people, they are a lot better for the environment.
They would be feasible, if there were more buses, more routes, and they were more friendly toward family life-aka, pets, young kids, etc.
I am a culprit of this one, myself. My parents suggest I should get a bus pass, but, in addition to the inconvenience of the buses, I feel it is a sense of pride to have my own driver’s license. That, and buses smell bad.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:35 am
You get used to the stinky bus smell after awhile, but I’ll never get used to the bad schedules, cranky drivers and inconvenient stops! They really need to make the bus easier to use.
April 11th, 2008 at 11:23 am
I looked into taking the bus from my Fountain City home at one point. The bus stop is very close to my house. However, with the transfer, it would take over an hour to get to work whereas driving only takes 15 minutes tops. That was the deciding point for me.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Hi, Tommy. I heard about your school project through your dad’s post at KnoxViews. What a great way to take a survey! Back in my day, I had to stand around in front of some store with a clipboard in hand…
My family enjoys taking the bus–and we’ve never met a cranky driver–but we don’t live on a bus route out here in Powell.
When the weather is nice, and an evening event is taking place downtown, I’ll sometimes toss the kids in the car and drive as far as the Wal-mart on Clinton Highway, where we can catch the tail-end of a northbound route. I’ll just leave my car there, and the kids and I ride the bus downtown, where their dad meets us after he gets off work.
At the end of the evening, after the busses have stopped running, he just drives us all back home, stopping by the Wal-mart to pick up my car. We then drive that last mile back home in two cars, but we’ve saved a bit of gas (and a lot of headaches, too, trying to park downtown during popular events).
Even people who don’t live on a bus route can help “save the planet” now and again!
April 15th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
The City of Knoxville is going to build a transit center that will make it easier and more pleasant to transfer from one bus to another. It will take a big cultural change for folks to want to ride. I can walk for 20 minutes and take the bus to work downtown or to UT. I have to admit that it is hard to pass up the convenience of the car.
April 15th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Mobile sources (cars, trucks, and buses) represent 50% of the ozone-causing pollution in Knox County. Our air pollution is at levels where we will be required to implement controls like car testing, or lose our highway funding (which will cause a spiral down- poor roads = more traffic = more pollution from idling cars).
Better and more widely used mass transit is the least expensive approach to reducing ozone-forming pollutants, along with anti-idling rules. Most major cities have rules preventing idling of buses except under certain circumstances (like cold weather). I’d like to see an initiative with KAT and Knox County schools for an anti-idling program, and I’m sure there’s EPA grant money for a public information program.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Ivy -
Yeah, I know..the school buses give me sort of an idea, but without the crazy cat lady sitting in the back….Of course, if we actually DO put serious effort into it, like putting so many stops and many more buses, then they would also regulate things a bit more, I would think.
Erin -
Indeed, that would, from, what I see, be the deciding point for nearly everyone. The inconvenience, versus convenience of vehicles.
Tamara –
Heh, I love the internet for surveys…Yes, I myself live roughly 10-15 minutes from a bus stop myself, but the problem with it is the time of day, and it is a bit erratic in timing.
Bill Lyons –
Ooo, more centers? Yay! And yes, the car is convenient…and for teenager such as myself, I feel there is a certain pride in the driver’s license and car-in addition to the pride of being able to transport myself anywhere, anytime…The car is hard to resist, yes…
Steve D –
Indeed…needs to be fixed somehow, although the main challenge is convincing people that this is better…Some people refuse change no mater what the benefit.
April 17th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Tommy Caldwell! Like the rock climber! Awesome.
Sometimes I take the bus all the way from downtown to my work in Farragut. I have to ride my bike on both sides of the trip to make it work, but it’s nice to get some exercise on my commute. It’s also way cheaper than driving.
Only problem is, the latest run in the morning still puts me at work an hour early. That’s a bit inconvenient. It would also be nice if there were a stop close enough that I wouldn’t have to ride the bike.
April 18th, 2008 at 11:12 am
It’s hard being a teenager and taking the bus, once I got my license I never wanted to get on the bus again. Now I’d definitely take the bus if it was an option, but where I live it’s just not feasible.