Samantha Flynn: A humane transit plan

Regarding the Jan. 28 news article “Raleigh pursuing $40M grant to build ‘smarter’ transit”: It is disheartening to read that the city is seeking a grant to help it create a “smarter” transit system, when a key element of any solution is incredibly simple and won’t cost $40 million. Build proper bus stop shelters!

I am appalled as I drive along city streets and see people, including young children, standing at bus stops in all sorts of inclement weather – rain, sweltering heat, freezing cold. It is inconsiderate and disrespectful to require people to wait in these conditions.

It would cost very little to build enclosed shelters with adequate seating. (There are a few in Raleigh, so we know it can be done).

If Raleigh wants to be “smarter,” it should take these simple steps to make our existing bus system more humane and user-friendly. The people who depend on the bus system deserve better, and I venture to predict that ridership would increase if the city demonstrated more concern for its residents.

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Samantha Flynn: A humane transit plan."