Transportation represents one of the biggest opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint and improve air quality in the CSRA. Our work will focus on educating and supporting municipalities within the CSRA to transition fleet vehicles to electric while establishing a network of charging stations to support residents and visitors to our area that have or want to choose electric vehicles over dirty fuels.
For many residents across the CSRA, owning a personal car is not an option. It becomes more important to ensure that public transit offers a service that is equitable and reliable. For public transit to be equitable and reliable, it must answer these questions:
- How fast can you get there?
- Can you get there?
- How often is service there available?
- Who can access the service?
Another part of making public transit equitable and reliable is to address the various facilities needed and used by the ridership. Transit stops should offer a clean, well-lit facility that is also accessible for those with physical challenges. Curbs and sidewalks must be in good repair and appropriate signage should be clearly seen.
A final component of our work on transportation includes ensuring that our communities are walkable & bikeable. Studies have shown that adopting a Complete Streets policy and taking steps to implement that policy through equitable public participation will bring many benefits including an economic boost.