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Also this issue: Meet TIA Ream's LOVE Dream Quitters Sometimes Win |
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November 14-20, 2002
mailbag
(Re: “Happy and Car-Free,” Robert J. Ravelli, Cityspace, Nov. 7, 2002)
For 50 years I've managed to lead a rich and full life without owning a car. Most of my activities have been centered in the city, although I live at 69th Street and can go to the suburbs conveniently as well. For a change of recreational scenery I can take the local SEPTA and NJ Transit trains to New York.
I realize not everyone has such convenient locations, but it often puzzles me as to why more people don't leave their cars at the end of transit lines rather than sit in traffic and then pay huge parking fees when they get to their destination. I don't believe it ever crossed my mind to drive a car into Philadelphia when I lived further out and did have one.
If people don't use a car for long trips or make frequent ones, a cab would probably cost them less. This new car-sharing plan that will open soon in Philadelphia in high-density areas sounds like the perfect answer for many persons' needs. Believe me, what is not spent on a car can be spent on a better quality of life for many people.
Ellen Kadransky
Upper Darby
Is Robert Ravelli on crack? Since when in this lifetime is anything "a testament to our extensive transit system"? Compared with systems in large cities such as New York and Washington, D.C., what we have is an embarrassment to the very concept of public transportation. It's absurdly expensive, disgusting, hardly far-reaching, and it's operated by surly, dangerous drivers. I've personally seen SEPTA buses drive past elderly people in the rain, willingly block intersections and run red lights in congested areas of the city on a daily basis. I gladly pay outrageous auto insurance rates in Center City simply to avoid the necessity of ever taking SEPTA, and I feel sorry for those who have to.
Michele Taft Morris
Philadelphia
I'll admit it, I consider myself something of a sucker. I occasionally give money to people on the street, despite the fact that I work for a nonprofit and qualify for some types of assistance myself. I was pissed off by the Center City District's new ad campaign about not giving to homeless people. But I've had it. I'm too young to be so cynical, but damn it Philly, you've driven me to it.
A couple of weeks ago, a guy named RJ who sits outside around Juniper and Walnut, told me he needed a bus ticket to Reading, to get to his family and a place to stay. I first walked away and then turned around, said how much do you need for the ticket, and was prepared to walk him to the bus station to buy it. He seemed credible enough, and I thought hey, if this'll get him off the street, why not? I ended up giving him five bucks and telling him about the Ridge Avenue shelter in case he didn't get the rest by evening.
I saw RJ again today and though I didn't say anything, I was pretty damn close to yelling and demanding my five bucks back. By the time I steeled my nerves and walked back in a rage, he was gone.
So thanks a lot, Philly. You've brought me to my cynical senses. I'll remember from now on not to expect too much.
Emily Schiller
Philadelphia
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