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The Ride Choice -- a Texas City Ponders Buses (Arlington TX)
Wall Stree Journal ^ | September 13, 2007 | Tina Peng

Posted on 9/14/2007, 12:53:20 AM by Lorianne

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Truck driver Mark Soliz, 32, began walking his five-mile commute to his company's offices this summer because he couldn't afford the high cost of gasoline. Tired of hoofing it in 90-degree heat, he applied to a local charity for a donated bicycle and now cycles the distance.

"Anything to get there. Anything other than walking," he says.

Climbing gasoline prices have hit low-income workers as never before, and that is particularly evident in this city sandwiched between Dallas and Fort Worth. Though Mr. Soliz owns a car, for him and many other cash-strapped residents here, high gas prices have made driving a last resort. And taking a bus or train isn't an option.

Arlington, population 365,000, holds the distinction of being the largest city in the U.S. without public transportation, according to the American Public Transportation Association in Washington. That could begin changing soon. The Arlington City Council is mulling proposals to go into a partnership with neighboring Fort Worth for buses to ferry commuters between the two cities during rush hour. If the cities can work out the details, Arlington officials hope to begin a six-month trial of the service sometime next year.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government
KEYWORDS: transportation

1 posted on 9/14/2007, 12:53:21 AM by Lorianne
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To: Lorianne

If he has a car that get 30 miles to the gallon, it cost about $1 a day to drive.


2 posted on 9/14/2007, 12:56:29 AM by irishtenor (There is no "I" in team, but there are two in IDIOT.)
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To: irishtenor

Taxes, insurance, and DUI attorneys count for something.


3 posted on 9/14/2007, 1:02:17 AM by mission9 (Be a citizen worth living for, in a Nation worth dying for...)
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To: Lorianne
Ping Willie Green! He was always promoting rail projects. Never mind, he's been banned.

Buses at least aren't as capital and infrastructure intensive as railroads. If they don't work out, sell them and you're done. Of course, when does that ever happen?

I've been following the Rail Runner in New Mexico, which is basically part of Bill Richarson's election campaign. Too bad the state of NM is taking in the shorts (and the roads and bridges) to pay for it.

4 posted on 9/14/2007, 1:06:30 AM by Disambiguator (What's the temperature, Albert?)
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To: mission9

He has a car. We got to assume he is already paying for taxes and insurance, regardless of whether he is using it or not.

As for the DUI attorney... I’ve never needed one, so I can’t say as to how much they run.

The story is just media hype. Just like every summer when the price of gas goes up, the stories come out about how vacationers won’t be drivng because of the high cost of gas, and then every year they are surprised at how many people drive on vacation.


5 posted on 9/14/2007, 1:07:20 AM by irishtenor (There is no "I" in team, but there are two in IDIOT.)
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To: Disambiguator
Buses at least aren't as capital and infrastructure intensive as railroads.

Agreed.
I (as a Republican educated on oil-company scholarships) used
the bus systems during my stay in Los Angeles (1995-2005).

And I give plaudits to my current home, the liberal university
town of Columbia, MO for having a decent bus service, as well
as a dedicated transport system for the "mobility-challenged"
(those in wheelchairs, etc.)

I'm no expert, but once a city starts to hit the 250,000 mark
(or so), a bus system that regularly runs on a grid to serve
transportation needs (and alleviate highway and parking congestion)
ain't such a bad idea.
IF the tax-base supports it and the riders are charged fees that
let them know they are getting a service that is truly of value.
6 posted on 9/14/2007, 1:13:25 AM by VOA
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To: irishtenor
If he has a car that get 30 miles to the gallon, it cost about $1 a day to drive.

And any bus fare these days isn't likely to be less than that.

7 posted on 9/14/2007, 1:31:28 AM by GATOR NAVY (Hey! Must be a devil between us)
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To: Lorianne
No, they need one of these...

8 posted on 9/14/2007, 2:11:43 AM by Bosco (Remember how you felt on September 11?)
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To: Lorianne
Truck driver Mark Soliz, 32, began walking his five-mile commute to his company's offices this summer because he couldn't afford the high cost of gasoline. Tired of hoofing it in 90-degree heat, he applied to a local charity for a donated bicycle and now cycles the distance.

I stopped right there. What a load of crap. I work 5 miles from where I live and $20 will get me there for 2 weeks plus any running around on weekends. Plus truck drivers make GOOD money. Who writes this idiotic crap? Goes to a charity for a free bike! Good Lord, do they really think we are that stupid?

9 posted on 9/14/2007, 3:16:55 AM by packrat35 (PIMP my Senate. They're all a bunch of whores anyway!)
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