by Jack Davis
First, let me define what the question is and isn't asking. It isn't asking if we should we all abandon cars right now, nor is it asking if we should abandon them completely, nor is it asking if every American should do so. It is asking whether some Americans should have to take public transit some of the time, and I would say yes.
Oil use and pollution aside, in some cities like Los Angeles and New York there just
isn't room for any more roads, so in order for large cities to grow, they need more people
to take public transit or risk permanent traffic jam. One bus can safely hold 40 people, so
even at half capacity that's nearly 20 cars' worth of space in traffic cleared up, and nearly
20 parking spaces that don't need to be built.
There are a lot of people that can take public transit with little inconvenience but
simply don't because they never have in the past. If residents in areas with plenty of transit
had to buy transit passes as part of their property taxes then they would have little excuse
not to bus occasionally. A number of universities already bundle a 'U-Pass' with their tuition fees, forcing their students to take the bus. When given the chance the majority of those students have voted to keep these programs.
A similar system in apartments where a portion of the tenants are not issued parking
spaces in exchange for a discount on their rent would also be forcing people to use public
transit. This is already being done with the assignment of one community car to several
apartment tenants that arrange a schedule for the car, and this program gets many positive
reviews.
So yes, I would say that Americans should be forced to use public transit, as
Americans whom are already forced to do so find that it works well for them.
Taken from: www.helium.com
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