.
.
.
.
....
I have written in numerous prior postings about the NHDOT’s wasteful ways being perpetuated by raising tolls and gas taxes instead of forcing them to make the necessary belt-tightening corrections within their system. Using highway funds made up of gasoline and fuel taxes paid by the motoring public for a plethora of non-road related projects combined with a culture of inefficient methods of operation takes dollars away from the vital infrastructure & expansion projects that were supposed to be the intended purpose of such funds.
.
Back in July I noted that then acting NHDOT Commisioner Charles O’Leary, commenting on the financial state of affairs in the department, said
Not enough money and too many promises sums up the sad state of New Hampshire’s 10-year highway plan, says Transportation Commissioner Charles O’Leary.
In a posting dating back to August of ’06, I wrote, of public transportation in rural areas,
One of my long time pet peeves has been the gobs of gas-tax and other tax-funded monies wasted on certain public transportation systems. I certainly support and appreciate public transportation systems in urban areas- where they are cost-effective (for the most part) and heavily used. It is when attempts are made to bring widespread service to rural areas that it becomes a costly, underutilized proposition- which I have a problem with.
So what do I read in the paper this week?
From Monday’s Citizen (Laconia, NH):
A public transportation system for Moultonborough, Sandwich, and other Carroll County communities is in the works.
Here we go again. Following in the footsteps of the now-defunct Greater Laconia Transit Authority, we are about to bear witness to the rise of yet another transit as healthcare boondoggle as the busybodies continue to feed the growth of social welfare industrial complex any way they can. Again from the December 10th Citizen article:
The vehicles would hold between 19 and 25 passengers and would be driven by CDL-certified drivers trained to work with the public’s needs. All vehicles will be wheelchair-accessible and have bike racks. Volunteers and on-demand vehicles would also be available to take riders to stops..[snip].The service would be available to the public, easily usable by seniors, youths, low-income individuals, and families that cannot afford a vehicle, or residents with vehicles who want to save gas and not have to drive to a location. "They get on there, they ride, they socialize," Raymond said.
You got that? The users of the new public transportation program will use it to SOCIALIZE!!! "Oh but Doug, who cares? Why should I care what they do in some hick towns somewhere out in East BumBlast, NH?" Ah, but here’s the rub:
The project is anticipated to cost around $470,000. Raymond said the program is in discussions with the N.H. Department of Transportation about possible funding, which Raymond said could equal around half the total costs.
That’s right. Once again, despite the fact that the state’s DOT coffers have run bare, there are still those who wait at the taxpayer-fueled money trough. I got nothing against the needy and the handicapped and such, but I don’t see why my gas tax dough needs to fund this stuff. Unfortunately, the only real question is will the NHDOT get around to funding this wasteful project BEFORE or AFTER our esteemed lawmakers raise the state tax on gasoline to, you know, fix bridges and stuff…
Selectmen Edward Charest has a disabled son who used to ride the former Greater Laconia Transit Agency buses on a regular basis.."He would just get on the bus and ride it for hours because it was his only form of socializing," said Charest, who also served on the GLTA board. "It’s so desperately needed."
Socializing. Public transportation. Wouldn’t it be nice if they just said NO for a change.
.
.
Oh look…Here comes another empty bus!
.
[They tint the windows so you can’t see how empty they are]