There appears to be a lot of debate lately as to whether we should mandate electric automobiles or continue maintaining gasoline cars. At the rate of the growing cost of both gas-powered and electric-powered automobiles, the growing cost of gasoline, growing insurance costs and the growing maintenance costs, it becomes apparent that, perhaps, neither is the ultimate solution to a seemingly insoluble problem.

Maybe it’s time to revisit the use of public transportation. Not so long ago, this country was heading in that direction. I recall hitchhiking to Waterville in the 1950s. Once arriving in Waterville, for just pocket change, I could board a city bus that took me just about anywhere in the region, including Winslow, Fairfield, Benton and other destinations. My grandmother told me about a trolley car that took folks from Madison to Lakewood and Skowhegan. As far as transportation for everyone (today, not everyone can afford to own and maintain a vehicle) we are going backwards.

With growing fuel shortages and CO2 pollution rising, it might make more sense to not only have a public transportation system, but to also utilize electric busses in that system. We could wait until things got way out of hand and we will be forced to start up public transportation.

(We know what happens when we have no options.) Or we can incorporate public transit now, while it is still relatively less expensive than if we wait until it’s too late.

Peter P. Sirois

Madison 

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