The Providence Journal
"The Wheels on the Bus . . .", January 2003
There is obviously a problem with downtown Providence traffic that needs to be settled.
Cold winds rip past me and cars are bumper to bumper with impatient bus drivers honking their horns at the other inconsiderate drivers taking up the spaces near the icy sidewalks. I sigh and check the time on my watch—again, just like all the other freezing pedestrians beside me waiting for the buses that never seem to be on time.
I bet you know where I am and what time of day it is. That’s right, it’s rush hour in downtown, or in more recent terms “down city,” Providence.
As hundreds of people all over the city shiver on street corners, they must ask themselves the same question: Why aren’t the buses on time? Though there is not just one solid answer to this question, there are many possibilities. Perhaps it is the many workers at the banks who have all similarly decided to utilize public transportation. Maybe it is the numerous students matriculating at Brown, Johnson & Wales and RISD, perhaps it is the winter weather conditions, maybe it is a combination of all these factors, or maybe, just maybe, it just so happens to be rush hour in down city Providence in an ever-increasingly inhabited world.
Learning to expect the tardiness of the buses due to the vehicular congestion that seems to infest our down city haven on an almost daily basis would be a beneficial step towards reality. It is time to accept the discomforting realization that it would require less time to jump on the Greyhound to Boston than to wait on the ice-cold sidewalks for a RIPTA bus during rush hour. This should motivate people’s concerns for a more prompt bus arrival.
Not only have there been problems with maintaining timely bus pick-ups, but the insensible drivers have also been creating noise problems. Granted that when a driver honks his or her horn it may ease their impatience, however it really does not do much good for the traffic situation. By doing so, not only do these autos add to the air pollution, but the noise pollution as well. Not to mention the fact that those waiting in the frosty New England winter are not at all comforted by the melodious sounds of the car horns.
Perhaps if drivers were more considerate to the signs that clearly illustrate the areas in which buses are required to stop and bus routes were reworked through these crowded down city areas there would be more efficiency in public transportation. Maybe that is just asking too much of today’s society, but it is a rather reasonable request.
In conclusion, the traffic predicament that faces public transportation users needs to be resolved. By recognizing this worsening situation and addressing these concerns faced by hundreds every day would make way for a more proficient and punctual transportation system.
"The Wheels on the Bus . . .", January 2003
There is obviously a problem with downtown Providence traffic that needs to be settled.
Cold winds rip past me and cars are bumper to bumper with impatient bus drivers honking their horns at the other inconsiderate drivers taking up the spaces near the icy sidewalks. I sigh and check the time on my watch—again, just like all the other freezing pedestrians beside me waiting for the buses that never seem to be on time.
I bet you know where I am and what time of day it is. That’s right, it’s rush hour in downtown, or in more recent terms “down city,” Providence.
As hundreds of people all over the city shiver on street corners, they must ask themselves the same question: Why aren’t the buses on time? Though there is not just one solid answer to this question, there are many possibilities. Perhaps it is the many workers at the banks who have all similarly decided to utilize public transportation. Maybe it is the numerous students matriculating at Brown, Johnson & Wales and RISD, perhaps it is the winter weather conditions, maybe it is a combination of all these factors, or maybe, just maybe, it just so happens to be rush hour in down city Providence in an ever-increasingly inhabited world.
Learning to expect the tardiness of the buses due to the vehicular congestion that seems to infest our down city haven on an almost daily basis would be a beneficial step towards reality. It is time to accept the discomforting realization that it would require less time to jump on the Greyhound to Boston than to wait on the ice-cold sidewalks for a RIPTA bus during rush hour. This should motivate people’s concerns for a more prompt bus arrival.
Not only have there been problems with maintaining timely bus pick-ups, but the insensible drivers have also been creating noise problems. Granted that when a driver honks his or her horn it may ease their impatience, however it really does not do much good for the traffic situation. By doing so, not only do these autos add to the air pollution, but the noise pollution as well. Not to mention the fact that those waiting in the frosty New England winter are not at all comforted by the melodious sounds of the car horns.
Perhaps if drivers were more considerate to the signs that clearly illustrate the areas in which buses are required to stop and bus routes were reworked through these crowded down city areas there would be more efficiency in public transportation. Maybe that is just asking too much of today’s society, but it is a rather reasonable request.
In conclusion, the traffic predicament that faces public transportation users needs to be resolved. By recognizing this worsening situation and addressing these concerns faced by hundreds every day would make way for a more proficient and punctual transportation system.