Still fuming as I write this third letter in three years about Asheville Transit's inefficient bus service. The problem location this time was Swannanoa River Road.
Saturday, Aug. 1, I waited for the bus across from the golf course. I was headed to the corner of Swannanoa River Road and Tunnel Road, going toward the VA hospital. As the bus approached, I held up my hand for it to stop. There I stood still with my arm in the air as Route 29 sped past me, leaving me shouting four-letter words after it. Still standing on the side of the road, I dialed Asheville Transit. As I relayed my story, Route 13 approached. "Never mind," I said. "Another bus is here." I hung up and climbed on the bus.
A half-hour later, I called Asheville Transit again to finish my complaint. Supposedly, I learned, a driver had called in, saying he couldn't pick up a rider because the bus was full and he figured the next bus that came by would stop. What an excuse! That bus was going too fast because it was late getting to Warren Wilson College. I know its schedule well because I ride that bus frequently. With service like this, I understand why people need to drive a car.
While I'm on the subject of Asheville Transit, allow me to inform you of a rumor I heard about plans to do away with the bus system. Great! Now we can look forward to even more air pollution in this ever growing city. Without public transit or bike lanes, I'll have no choice but to drive a car.
Think I'll move to a city like Portland, Ore., where public transit is the norm and where "green, eco-friendly, and sustainable" actually mean something. Asheville still has a long "road" to go.
— Christine Saitta
Asheville, NC
Let everybody know how you like it when you get there. Are you taking the bus or flying?
When/Where has Asheville ever claimed to be “green, eco-friendly, and sustainable”?
And what fool believed that line?
Please.
Have fun walking to Oregon.