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<p><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>From the Mayor; posted by <st2:PersonName w:st="on"><st1:GivenName
w:st="on">Christine</st1:GivenName> <st1:Sn w:st="on">Gray</st1:Sn></st2:PersonName>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>The City of <st2:City w:st="on"><st2:place w:st="on">Baltimore</st2:place></st2:City>
has long been encouraging the MTA to take a comprehensive look at current bus
routes, and to develop a plan that accounts for population shifts and new
development. Our people depend on good bus service to get them to their
places of work, education, and worship. Yet many existing bus lines are
more than forty years old - more reflective of a streetcar era than the modern
city we have become. An efficient and well-planned mass transit system is
critical for the continued growth of businesses and neighborhoods within the
City and the region. In addition, an improved system would encourage
residents and visitors to use mass transit, thereby reducing congestion and air
pollution from the growing number of vehicles crowding our roads.</span></font>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>While I applaud the effort of the MTA to take on the
substantial task of forming a comprehensive plan, there are several issues that
concern me.</span></font> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>The time allowed for public comment is
insufficient. </span></font></b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> With such a comprehensive study,
it is in the best of interest of the MTA to listen carefully to the comments
from the public (its customers), and make sound and reasonable decisions based
on their recommendations. The City of <st2:City w:st="on"><st2:place
w:st="on">Baltimore</st2:place></st2:City> and the surrounding region must
have time to review MTA’s proposed plan to make sure the needs of our
citizens are met.</span></font> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>Less emphasis should be placed on
eliminating all branches of service when ridership is insufficient</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>.
Rather, MTA should consider eliminating only particular runs to branches under
such circumstances.</span></font> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>No provisions have been made for the
City’s senior and disabled population affected by eliminated or altered
routes.</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> In addition, the <st2:place w:st="on"><st2:PlaceName
w:st="on">Baltimore</st2:PlaceName> <st2:PlaceType w:st="on">City</st2:PlaceType></st2:place>
students who depend on the MTA for transportation to and from school should be
heavily considered. It is indisputable that the needs of our seniors, our
children, and our disabled be met.</span></font> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><b><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>The plan must account for future
expansion and development throughout the City.</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> Major
development efforts affecting our neighborhoods, such as the East <st2:City
w:st="on"><st2:place w:st="on">Baltimore</st2:place></st2:City> Development
Initiative and the West Side Development Project, must be considered as MTA
implements new routes.</span></font> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Finally, after careful consideration has been given to the
concerns of those affected, <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>changes should be
a phased-in over several months to eliminate confusion. </span></b> Such
massive changes will require a massive implementation process.</span></font> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Verdana><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>An examination into our bus routes and the needs of our
citizens is long overdue. The proposed plan, once carefully and
thoroughly fleshed out, can potentially benefit our City and our region
significantly. An increase in the frequency of bus trips throughout the
system will lessen wait time. Combining short segments of bus service
into longer corridors allow for a more unified, comprehensive system.
Such a study is certainly needed, and its objectives are admirable. But a study
of such importance deserves to be done right.</span></font> <o:p></o:p></p>
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font-family:Georgia'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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