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VTHawk (Anonymous) says…

I definately agree on the roundabouts comment. The city should stop spending money on ways to slow commutes down when traffic is an increasing problem.

As for the fares: if the T can be made economically viable, or even close, then the city should continue the program. When I was overseas and without an automobile, I was very thankful for mass transit. Mass transit doesn't make much sense in smaller cities, or in cities that have a large geographic footprint, but certain routes are almost certainly worth some subsidy.

I am not optimistic that our city can save the T, but who knows?

SettingTheRecordStraight (Anonymous) says…

I agree with the LTE writer's views on roundabouts. I completely disagree with her perspective on the emp-T. The T is an abysmal, embarrassing waste.

Defund the T now.

KsTwister (Anonymous) says…

Lord I hate mopeds in the bottom of the potholes I run over. Bet they didn't like them either. Blame it on the rain when ever it finally gets here.

just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

I agree on the T, but not necessarily on the roundabouts. In some instances, they make perfect sense— the roundabout at 19th and Barker, for example.

While there are quite a few drivers still uncertain how to drive through them (most likely the same drivers who don't understand the rules of a 4-way stop,) to anyone with even a glimmer of cognitive ability, it's obvious that traffic flow in that intersection is dramatically better than when it had a 4-way stop.

So-called traffic circles are another story. But annoying as they are, the reason we have them is because of those drivers who think the speed limit on any road is however fast they feel like driving.

merrill (Anonymous) says…

This letter writer makes dollars and sense. There are thousands upon thousands more empty cars on the road that costs taxpayers billions of dollars right here in Lawrence,Kansas. Roundabouts and trafficways are but two examples.

DonQuipunch (Anonymous) says…

Once again, the sparse minority of the populace makes as much noise as possible to defend the worthless T.

Roundabouts are pretty retarded though. I'll give him that. But maybe that money could be better spent on a program that adds more of a benefit to the community than a financial liability. Like, oh say fixing the roads or better funding the schools.

Call me a dreamer.

trvlronda (Anonymous) says…

Why can't the T merge with KU on Wheels? The bus system would then have small buses as an option for certain routes, and certain times. The system might need to be expanded a bit, but 30ft buses would not be needed, especially for the 'drunk bus' on Friday/Saturday.

The T overserves the 31st/Iowa Corridor but having an 8pm cut-off underservers the general population that might take the bus over their car. For any version of a bus system to work, the hours and equipment need to improve. I only use the bus on Saturdays. Midweek hours leave me stranded at my destination.

Good Luck ….we need public transportation, but it's current version is set up to fail.

blue73harley (Anonymous) says…

“There are thousands upon thousands more empty cars on the road that costs taxpayers billions of dollars right here in Lawrence,Kansas”

Are they remote control?

hawkperchedatriverfront (Anonymous) says…

Instead of 50 cents for seniors, charge 1.00 . AFter all, transfers are not charged for. Or start charging for a transfer ticket. Sell advertising on the inside of the bus. There are plenty of foolish buisness people in this town who will pay. Tighten the routes so that each route takes less time for the (1) bus which serves it. If a route takes less time to complete, then it becomes more efficient for people to ride the bus and depart and arrive in a timely manner. BUT, what would our commissioners know about timely and efficient.. STOP giving money, no matter how small to the Drop In Center or any other agency for free bus passes. Let those agencies raise the money privately. Encourage the businesses at East Hills to buy bus passes a a deep discount. AFter all, their property taxes have already been deeply discounted. And most of all, each commissioner needs to ride the bus to see how inefficient it is at this point. Forget about the merging of KU, I had hoped that would happen at the onset. It won't happen becasue the Chancellor if truly at the helm, does not have the guts to pull the plug on it. KU students can have a bus from Park and Ride and maybe a couple express buses that make loops around town, but what the students are paying for now is a pure waste of tuitiion dollars.

foodboy (Anonymous) says…

I don't know if the city has the power, but I would favor a city gas tax to help fund the T. It would provide the funds and may encourage more people to ride the bus. Also the city should encourage and reward city employees who ride the bus.

gl0ck0wnr (Anonymous) says…

“merrill (Anonymous) says… This letter writer makes dollars and sense. There are thousands upon thousands more empty cars on the road that costs taxpayers billions of dollars right here in Lawrence,Kansas. Roundabouts and trafficways are but two examples.”

This is a hilarious example of Richard playing both sides of the coin. Richard actually *advocates* “traffic calming devices” like expensive roundabouts and then turns around and uses the same as examples of things that the T (a service he doesn't use) would replace.

It would be more cost effective to give low income and older citizens some sort of voucher that could be used for taxi rides than continuing to fund the T as it currently exists.

Bossa_Nova (Anonymous) says…

i have a great idea! let's ditch the T and install an underground vacuum tube system that would transport people and cargo to every corner of lawrence! yippeeeee!!!!

Take_a_letter_Maria (Anonymous) says…

Bossa_Nova (Anonymous) says…

i have a great idea! let's ditch the T and install an underground vacuum tube system that would transport people and cargo to every corner of lawrence! yippeeeee!!!!
––––––––––––––––––––––––
I'd prefer the flue network.

Newell_Post (Anonymous) says…

…. and some people take the bus because their driver's license has been suspended so many times for DWI….

themiddlechild (Anonymous) says…

Get rid of one bus system and merge into one. We used to have only one bus system in Lawrence and seems to work for most. We would have a bus load of people back then, It was ran by Lawrence Bus Company.

texburgh (Anonymous) says…

The T is needed - for people without cars and for those who are getting concerned about $4 gas - Leave the car at home and use the T.

As for roundabouts and circles; far from “retarded” as one writer so delicately puts it, they are needed. The city has routinely waived development rules creating traffic speed nightmares through residential areas. If the city had rules and then held to them, circles (as well as speed humps) would be unnecessary. Sadly as long as our city is owned by developers who demand that the rules be waived, residents will be demanding traffic calming.

Unfortunately our current commission is owned by developers, insensitive to traffic issues and residents, and could care less about those people who actually need the T.

hawkperchedatriverfront (Anonymous) says…

Raise the fare. If you read Barrritt's comments, he is stating exactly what I have stated. Those riding are paying almost nothing. $17.00 a month? Please, that is a bit over 50 cents a day. So, the 550,000 rides the city tries to tell us take place are the same people riding around and back and forth. I was amused though at Barritts comment in his letter that bit about David C. and Mike A. taking the Journal World..what's that about. If Dennis is willing to pay $1.00 per ride plus 25cents for each transfer, then we have a bus system starting to make sense. Also, for seniors it is still cheaper than the calling a day before for a ride . In one place I am familiar with, it is 2.50 per ride. So, $5,00 round trip for the day in advance arrangement. Lawrence commissioners have no guts!

mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…

I would hate to lose the T. During the summer, I know of many teenagers, including my own, who use the T to go downtown, the pool, the library, and even the movies. I would gladly pay a $1 instead of .50 for them to ride the bus.

hawkperchedatriverfront (Anonymous) says…

Mom of three, tell the commissioners. Apparently the commission isn't smart enough to figure it out on their own. $1.00 fare for everyone over years old. Bus passes should not be given out by the city under any circumstance. Encourage employers to buy passes for employees who use the bus. After all, at East Hills an employer is still coming out ahead given that they get a heft property tax abatement. The bus pass would have the employees name on it. The driver could ask for ID to match the bus pass. All transfers would cost an additional 25cents. Sell advertising on the bus inside. For that matter , offer expensive advertising on the rear of the buses. There are some really dumb business people in town who would pay to see their name on the side or rear of the bus. The commissioners don't know what to do. They need help.

d_prowess (Anonymous) says…

I understand why everyone would want the the T to merge with KU on Wheels, but why would KU on Wheels want to merge with the T? From what everyone here says, it makes no money and is a drain. It seems like they would then be stuck paying for something they don't need in the first place.
Am I wrong in thinking of the situation in this way?

Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Newell
An innocent question..
which is better. to have them drinking and riding the bus, or drinking and riding a bike (usually with no headlights)?