Bus designs and art a waste of WTA money

LETTER

E-Mail

Text Size:

tool goes here

At a small meeting several months ago I cited, with apologies to the WTA administrator present, the children's' drawings and other art on WTA buses as an example of something that should be considered in terms of cost and benefit to bus riders and the general public. This seemed reasonable; in a home or business most people consider the cost and benefit of a purchase.

After our little meeting, however, a lady approached the WTA administrator to state that, unlike myself, she liked the children's art. He responded by noting that the cost was "only: $3,000 per bus.

The lady, of course, missed the point; I like children's art - I enjoyed teaching art in public schools for 10 years, from kindergarten through grade 12. I was suggesting that adding decoration to the outside of a bus is not a requirement and cost should be considered.

Is a $3000 cost increase really of little consequence? Is it time to change this attitude in light of the fact that WTA fare increases and higher taxes are being considered?

I have ridden the bus and would submit that, for many riders, keeping fares low for those inside is more important than decorating the outside.

Niel Pfundt

Bellingham

Recent Stories