A need for smaller shuttles in Amherst

We've been away for some time now, but Amherst Life is back and writing. Today's post is about the need for more local transportation: shuttles, affordable taxis, and carpool boards. We need it. Gas is about to hit $4/gallon and will go up during the summer, we are contaminating our air and water supply at an alarming rate, and it is time to make some changes.

We propose the following: cut PVTA service and use the money to invest in hybrid vans. Far too often we see two or three students in one of the enormous PVTA busses.

Some hard-working soul could find funds to subsidize an affordable taxi service so that people don't even NEED to own cars in the Valley.

And last, carpooling boards could go up on masslive and umass sites (end even here on amherst life). The trick is to work in familiar networks so rider safety does not become an issue.

Well, we hope our ideas will help. As always, we welcome your comments!