Free cars for Massachusetts poor

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Why not just improve public transportation and thus benefit everyone?

I mean, not having a car really can impede a lot of things when you live in a place where public transportation isn't really an option and places are spaced very far apart (ie. suburbs!). When I lost my car, getting a job wasn't really an option because there wasn't reliable public transportation to get me where I needed to go. You have maybe a dozen or so employment options around bus stops or places that are within walking or cycling distance. But you probably have severe time and day restrictions because the bus doesn't run 24/7. Shopping for anything other than maybe a day's worth of groceries is nearly impossible; I can't imagine how much it would suck to have to buy for a family. Getting to the hospital or to doctor's appointments was absolutely impossible.

Wonder if anyone here has actually had to deal with not having a car in a poorly funded public transportation area/suburb?

I agree. I was without a car for about 9 mos. back in 2006. I lived about 8 miles from work and had to ride 3 different city buses, just to get there. And of course, if I wanted to go anywhere during the weekends, I'd ride the city bus. It was nice in many respects, but incredibly less convenient than having my own car. I was also saving a ton of money not owning a car.

[HannahP 119]

Wonder if anyone here has actually had to deal with not having a car in a poorly funded public transportation area/suburb?

Yeah, I did for a while, and I was a single mom too. It was really difficult, even with the knowledge that I'd be getting my car fixed in a matter of weeks.

But I do like the idea of offering bus passes. Actually, I think more companies should do that across the board to promote the use of public transport.

Bus passes + general improvement of public transportation in suburban and small towns. When the bus comes by every two hours, it kind of makes taking the bus difficult.

[HannahP 119]

Why not just improve public transportation and thus benefit everyone?

I mean, not having a car really can impede a lot of things when you live in a place where public transportation isn't really an option and places are spaced very far apart (ie. suburbs!). When I lost my car, getting a job wasn't really an option because there wasn't reliable public transportation to get me where I needed to go. You have maybe a dozen or so employment options around bus stops or places that are within walking or cycling distance. But you probably have severe time and day restrictions because the bus doesn't run 24/7. Shopping for anything other than maybe a day's worth of groceries is nearly impossible; I can't imagine how much it would suck to have to buy for a family. Getting to the hospital or to doctor's appointments was absolutely impossible.

Wonder if anyone here has actually had to deal with not having a car in a poorly funded public transportation area/suburb?

I agree. I was without a car for about 9 mos. back in 2006. I lived about 8 miles from work and had to ride 3 different city buses, just to get there. And of course, if I wanted to go anywhere during the weekends, I'd ride the city bus. It was nice in many respects, but incredibly less convenient than having my own car. I was also saving a ton of money not owning a car.

Riding the bus definitely slows time down; you become a lot more...relaxed? you have a lot more time to read that book, do the crossword, whatever. I had a similar story, having to take four different buses to make it ten miles across town; but in many respects, that was a lot easier than my current 35 mile commute in my car.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Wonder if anyone here has actually had to deal with not having a car in a poorly funded public transportation area/suburb?

Yeah, I did for a while, and I was a single mom too. It was really difficult, even with the knowledge that I'd be getting my car fixed in a matter of weeks.

But I do like the idea of offering bus passes. Actually, I think more companies should do that across the board to promote the use of public transport.

Bus passes + general improvement of public transportation in suburban and small towns. When the bus comes by every two hours, it kind of makes taking the bus difficult.

In Orange County, CA - we have a pretty darn good bus system considering how spread out everything is. The buses usually come by every 30 minutes in the mornings and at night. The buses run on CNG (compressed natural gas) and some are hybrid electric. You can even connect up to the Metrolink train.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

This seems like a silly endeaver and a wasteful public expenditure. It'd be a lot cheaper to offer monthly bus passes or reduced bus fare tickets.

Or bicycles. Now you can ride a bike to the bus stop, load the bike, get off at your stop, and pedal to work.

I don't know about riding a bike in the middle of the winter in MA, but certainly there are much cheaper ways to help the poor have adequate access to transportation than giving them a car and paying for the insurance.

Really? I thought the weather was like California everywhere. Give them skis, or ice skates then, like them eskimos.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

More misdirected liberal empathy.

[YuAndDan 153]

More liberal BS from a LIBERAL State! NYS is not much better.

Nothing is FREE, the hard working TAX PAYERS of the state end up paying for the NON-Productive ones.

If on welfare, then should be using the other state subsidized service PUBLIC TRANSIT! If cannot reach public transit, then they should live closer to the public transit system.

I'll bet the usual "empathy & compassion" suspects will burst a hemorrhoid when they read your post. Better watch out...they will accuse you of being a Republican (or worst).

Nope, I feel I think more like a conservative, or libertarian, the republicans are doing stupid things too.

Less government not more, and less federal government meddling in states business. Less taxes, and stifling regulations on small business.