DuRon Netsell 🌲🚶‍♂️🚲🛴

I have a friend who styles himself an economics master. Well he does have a masters degree in economics. He hates public transit. And loves to let me know. He loves to point out all its cost and failures. But what gets him is the fact that around 10 percent of the population uses it. I finally got fed up and mentioned “what 10%” you see that 10% is not stationary. It changes, it includes youths going to school, teens on their first job. Colleges students saving money. In includes those unable to drive due to injury, or impairments, married couples just starting out, those going to downtowns not wanting to add to road misery, cyclist needing a boost or like anyone, trapped in the rain, dark and snow. Drunk or impaired or ill needing a lift so they can get home safe, get to a friends or get to a hospital and not getting behind the wheel. It’s retirees, or those who simply can’t drive for what ever reason. People in wether emergencies, people being evacuated or just needing a warm safe ride to a heated shelter or to work on a snow day. Retired, fixed income with limited options or ability. These are not all aFixed group but many more than ten percent move in and out of transit use at different times in their life. They are in high school, or college then again when they are older or if misfortune befalls them. It’s not a fixed group but those at different stages of life, needs, and ability. I reminded him that he used transit to school in his teens. Downtown to his first job, sure he doesn’t need transit now but tomorrow that could change. only ably 7 to 10% per day but eventually everyone needs a bus or train. I don’t say transit is perfect, I don’t say transit solves all problems but it does solves the problem of Transit and is there as a lifeline for everyone eventually. I don’t know if I persuaded him. But I don’t hear that argument if his any more. I told him if one of my favorite riders. Like everyone his life was a checkerboard of transit use. Then at the height of his legal career he found out he had epilepsy. Rather than end his career downtown or move his family he just takes the bus and a train. This unplanned event could have upset his entire life but be moved from outside the ten percent to inside the ten percent of transit users and did so seamlessly. Keeping his quality of life and career unchanged. Things like that happen every day, just as sone people no longer use transit. we are there every day. a quality of life insurance policy for everyone. Waiting to help when the need strikes. It’s not who we serve in a day, it’s who we serve in a lifetime that matters. @trimet #Transit #Portland