Do the citizens of Durango have a clear picture of the repercussions of the drastic transit cuts? I think not.
Cutting Route #4 means no service to the entire west side of Durango. How are the working poor who live in this area going to get to work or the grocery store?
The hospital service is being taken over by the Road Runner, but at very reduced frequency, and the Fort Lewis service will be practically cut in half. Many college students will choose to drive their car rather than use the bus.
This means more cars on the road, more traffic, fewer parking spaces and more CO². It seems climate change does not matter when money is involved.
Where is the Citizens Climate Lobby when it is close to home? The Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado lists public transportation third on its list of 10 ways to be more sustainable. We have heard nothing from these groups.
If money is the problem, I suggest using the revenue of $3.4 million the city received from 2015-17 from the pot enterprises in town to support the transit system. Use that money for a worthy cause!
Dwight Stovall
Durango
