July 6, 2008

Dear Mayor Dever and City Commissioners,

     LAN would like to clearly state that we as neighborhood communities support our public transportation system known as the T. As Lawrence becomes more densely populated, it needs to support mass transportation.

• The City’s efforts to consolidate the KU bus system with the T would eliminate overlapping costs.
• We are supportive of city-led incentive programs that would help to increase the use of public transportation. We suggest a decrease in parking available in public places including schools.
• Scheduling is a major complaint that discourages ridership. LAN suggests routes that will allow citizens to ride to and from work and other destinations.
• Given the rising cost of fuel and environmental concerns, we believe that the future of public transportation will include expanding services as opposed to a  reduction in services.

At a time when the automobile has become expensive to own and to drive and increasing volumes of vehicular traffic are costing the city, it seems counterproductive to reduce the services or eliminate the city’s bus system. LAN is opposed to separating the T from road and infrastructure improvements in a sales tax vote. The T in fact, should not be put to a vote at all. It should be a decision made by the City Commission and city planners who have carefully evaluated the present need and future need of public transportation.

Sincerely,

Carol Bowen, vice president

Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods (LAN)