I personally thought the USA Today article was informative, if not unbiased. As a journalistic end, I believe objective reporting is an elusive, if not unattainable goal. About all that can be expected is that information will be presented that documents a significant event or social trend. In this sense, the USA Today article, like many of those that appear in mass-market 'news'-oriented magazines was interesting. As one who does not drive, or car-pool, it was useful in presenting information about the lifestyle of what appears to be a significant segment of the population. In that sense it broadened my mental horizons. Now to my point about mass-transit. Barring a radical change in technology, I don't think that it will ever be a palatable alternative for most people. I live in a small metropolitan area where bus service is the only available mass-transportation. To cite an example from several months ago, I had to take most of a day in order to take care of four relatively routine errands, which required that I use the community's bus system. Even with good connections, it required six hours, of which probably two were devoted to the actual errands. Which brings me to my second point (not road-rage but pedestrian-rage). I don't know if it's typical of other communities, but the behavior of motorists towards pedestrians is rude in the extreme--from parking in bus stops to practically running you over when crossing a street. The precedent can be found in the Middle Ages, when knights were the only people with horses, and the peasantry was forced to walk. The horse gave the 5 percent of the population who had one the freedom to splash mud on whoever they chose. The only difference now is that 95 percent of the population with vehicles has the luxury to be rude, and the other five percent who don't have to put up with it. So to my final point, to all of you knights (and ladies) of the road, enjoy your commute to work, and please show some consideration to those who don't drive and have either to walk or depend on public transportation. Be grateful to the freedom that the automobile has given you, and be considerate enough to use it responsibly. There--I got it off my chest--I feel better. Don Vest City of Pueblo CO Dept. of Planning & Development -----Original Message----- From: owner-ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net [mailto:owner-ctpp-news@chrispy.net]On Behalf Of Tom Reinauer Sent: Friday, May 31, 2002 7:06 AM To: Chuck Purvis; ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net Subject: Re: [CTPP] USA Today article on drive alone commute (long post) The mistake on the 1990 figure for the San Fran metro area I consider a minor problem compared to one-sided stories (depending on the intent of a particular article) or the misinterpretation and/or misunderstanding of the data. Wait until local and national newspapers start delving into more detailed statistics. I suspect that even with careful explanation from planners, it will often be twisted and hardly helpful. Content because my baseball team is 35-15. Tom Reinauer, Transportation Director Southern Maine RPC 21 Bradeen St. Suite 304 Springvale, ME 04083 (207)324-2952 FAX -2958 treinauer(a)server.eddmaine.org www.smrpc.maine.org ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chuck Purvis" <CPurvis(a)mtc.ca.gov> To: <ctpp-news(a)chrispy.net> Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 7:21 PM Subject: [CTPP] USA Today article on drive alone commute (long post) Of course, the Census Bureau hasn't yet released data for nine states and Puerto Rico (which are due out next week.) My bet is that Michigan (data not yet released) is still the #1 state in terms of drive alone share of total commute! shares, at: "Damn Lies and Statistics: Untangling Numbers from the Media, Politicians and Activists" by Joel Best, UC Press, 2001. Recommended reading. Excellent for critical thinking about the statistics that media and others use. article. I'll try to be brief. Francisco metro area declined from 73 percent in 1990 to 68 percent in 2000. The 2000 figure is accurate at 68.0 percent. On the other hand, our 1990 drive alone commute share was 68.2 percent. So, our overall drive alone commute share declined from 68.2 percent to 68.0 percent. (This is nice, but not "wow"!) environmentalists have concluded that carpooling lanes don't help reduce traffic." Well, this is pretty shaky journalism. Like, who or what's the source of this information? Alan, is this from you? You're cited in the next paragraph! blending of factual information with anecdotal commutes is getting to be tiring. great your sound system is" prohibits all smoking in workplaces, including offices, stores and restaurants." (Note that California prohibits smoking in bars, as well. However, we do allow you to smoke inside your own home, even in your own bubble bath!) their cars, compared with 1.1 hours on mass transit, according to the Audio Publishers Association." (Gotta wonder who's answering these surveys!)