Bill McKibben says "Make mass transit free"

Bill McKibben: Think About the Transportation Sector: "Redirect federal investments in ways that massively expand and improve the U.S. transit system. We need to bring quality public transport systems to the 57 percent of the public who today have limited or no access to mass transit and therefore rely on cars and taxis to get around. This will require shifting public money towards building new bus, subway and rail systems. If mass transit investments rose steadily, it would provide efficient, quality transport services, and reduce emissions and harmful pollution at the same time. Investing in transit is also a good way to create jobs in the U.S. -- for every billion dollars spent on transit investments 36,000 Americans secure a good job.

Step 3: Make mass transit free, or reduce its cost dramatically, by taking the money we waste now on fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting it towards our transit systems. Senator Bernie Sanders has identified more than $113 billion in fossil fuel subsidies that can be eliminated over the next decade; that could fill fareboxes, which in turn would fill our buses and trains."

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Read my lips, no new roads

Mass. has the vision to fix transportation - Opinion - The Boston Globe: "For a first-class economic future, the Commonwealth requires a first-class transportation system. As state transportation officials have already spelled out, this future will rely heavily on public transportation and will focus highway funds on maintenance rather than expansion. "

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Poor people are forced to subsidize car culture

Wide racial gap exists on speed of Boston-area commutes - News - Boston.com: "Among Greater Boston workers, white commuters who drive have the shortest trips to work — averaging less than 27 minutes each way — and black bus riders the longest, exceeding 46 minutes each way. But a gap exists even among those who take the same mode, with shorter commutes for white workers whether they drive or ride mass transit."

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MBTA Riders Save Money by taking Public Transit | BostInno

MBTA Riders Save Money by taking Public Transit | BostInno: "The November study revealed that T travelers saved an average of $1,069 this month, and will pocket an extra $12,834 this year that would have otherwise been wasted on a parking spaces and gas for a car."

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Sandy Relief - Boston

Sandy Relief - Boston: "We are Boston area residents who want to do whatever we can to help the people of the tri-state area who are suffering from lack of basic necessities from the superstorm of late October 2012."

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Sandy Relief - Boston

Sandy Relief - Boston: "We have been getting loads of donations to be sent down to NYC and NJ, but we need your help getting there. Please consider donating to our WePay so that we can transport supplies more frequently."

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Midwesterner misses #publictransit

Mass transit: The benefits of being taken for a ride | StarTribune.com: "However, there's one argument for investing in mass transit that I find more compelling than all others put together, and which I don't hear expressed much: It makes life better."

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