To the editor:

When we moved here almost two years ago, one of the issues that concerned us was whether Lawrence had a public transit system. Besides being important for retirees like us, the transit system is vital for the handicapped, those who cannot afford a vehicle, and those who do not want to drive in bad weather to commute, shop and to travel to their health-related appointments.

An article in the Journal-World on Sept. 4 said that the taxpayers are paying 93 percent of the T’s budget. Fares pay 8.6 percent and another 55.5 percent of the T’s annual budget comes from federal and state funds that have already been allocated, leaving 36 percent of the T’s budget to come from our property taxes.

Topeka, Wichita, Emporia, Hutchinson and Johnson County already have bus systems. Cities in Kansas that are considering mass transit are Manhattan, Salina, Hays, Pittsburg, Garden City and Colby.

Please vote for the sales tax, questions 2 and 3, because the T will no longer be supported by a property tax. The 0.25 percent sales tax would amount to only 25 cents for every $100 spent.

Dave and Carol Kyner,
Lawrence