To the editor:

I would like to expand on Dr. Bill Campbell’s comments (Journal-World, May 20) regarding the future of the T. He addresses the issue of alternative fuels for our buses and the general benefit to a city of this size to attract both business and population.

In all I have read, a few glaring points have been overlooked. Our bus system is consistently seen as a transportation mode for the poor, the elderly and the disabled. I would venture to say that most cities’ transportation systems are for the people who commute on a regular basis to work and school. I have yet to hear of any Lawrence businesses that provided discounted bus passes to their employees or of any programs by our two high schools that discourage students from driving to school and encourage taking the bus, and I have yet to hear of any city/county/state/federal offices in our city that encourage bus ridership for these government employees.

I have not seen nor heard of any efforts to increase revenue by offering advertisements both on the inside and outside of the buses or any networking with other cities to discover what works for their public transportation systems.

Most disappointing is the lack of ridership by people who could easily commute to work on the bus. One could start out slowly, using the bus once a week. Above all remember, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

Melissa Wick,

Lawrence