Woman gives up car to avoid buying gas
http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Woman-gives-up-car-to-avoid-buying-gas-121424504.html
PHOENIX – Two months ago, Nicole Underwood had an epiphany.
“When gas prices hit $3.50 I was like, that’s it!” she said.
She realized that at $3.50, gas stations were charging the same for one gallon of gas as it costs for an all day pass on the Light Rail.
So, she ditched the car and started taking mass transit everywhere.
“It really wasn’t that hard to do,” she smiled.
Work at the Red Cross, different charity events, social engagements, etc., with the exception of the occasional carpool, she went everywhere only by Light Rail.
“Sometimes I had to talk friends into go to hip or trendy restaurants that just happened to be near the Light Rail tracks,” she said.
The average American family now spends close to 9 percent of their household income on gas. And sure, there are financial implications, but Nicole took her foot off the gas pedal to save more than just the money in her wallet. She is saving the environment and helping the local economy.
“I would rather give my money to mass transit, the local economy, than big oil,” she said.
The transition to mass transit wasn’t that rough. Because of the traffic, the commute time is about the same. And, because she doesn’t have to watch the road anymore, she can catch up on her reading.
“Its fun. I can talk to people. I am not stuck in that box alone going from point A to point B,” she said.
For more information on the Light Rail, check out: http://www.valleymetro.org/metro_light_rail/
It would be too much to hope, that the obese population of BC might just give up their cars and take transit?
Surfboards allowed on Coast light rail
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2011/05/07/313075_gold-coast-lead-story.html
NSW, Australia. IN an Australian first surfboard racks have been specially designed to cater to Gold Coast surfers wanting to ride the city’s new Rapid Transit system.
Premier Anna Bligh told the Bulletin exclusively yesterday that a group of Gold Coast locals who are part of GoldLinQ, the new company announced to build and run the system had felt the rare design was needed to cater to the city’s large surfing culture.
The news has been given the ultimate tick of approval by the surfing industry, who believe it will attract more people to our beaches and relieve parking congestion.
Premier Bligh also revealed yesterday that the 13km ride, from Griffth University to Broadbeach, would cost $3.11.
Travelling one zone, approximately half the system’s line, will be $2.65.
The light rail will open in 2014 and construction will create more than 6300 jobs.
Good to see a new transport facility being responsive to particular local sport-related needs!
For a moment I had a vivid image of surfers riding the wave behind the trams (you might manage it with a skateboard or a bicycle if you did not fall foul of the authorities) – but actually this is a great story of a transport facility being designed with specifically local needs in mind.
