Robespierrexvii t1_j56ocze wrote on January 20, 2023 at 7:47 PM

Reply to comment by WooNoto in Developer proposes 375 apartments at former site of Smokestack BBQ in Worcester’s Canal District by moisheah

I'm new to the area (coming up on a year in Worcester) and this was what floored me about this city. The lack of any coherent transit system, or in reality, the lack of support for any mode of transportation that isn't a car. I can't run more than like 9 miles uninterrupted in this town. I don't think I've seen a single bike lane the whole time I've been here.

Reliable public transit, bike infrastructure, or even just sidewalks that don't just end/have trees growing out the middle of them would be a great start to actually help this city achieve it's full potential. These are the kinds of things that increase opportunity for citizens in a city. More opportunities means more financially secure citizens, more people with expendable income, and in turn better economic health. Cars are expensive and often cause more financial hardship in the long or sometimes short term. I lived in Milwaukee WI, for about a decade without having a car. If I had needed one I'm not sure I would have made it through school. I really don't know how people make it in this town without a car.

eyice t1_j5b50qp wrote on January 21, 2023 at 6:44 PM

it's so crazy to me—public transport & walkable neighborhoods are one of the best ways to make the city desirable for more people without immediately fucking over the lower income people already living in those areas, and yet it's totally being casted aside

WooNoto t1_j57vmsf wrote on January 21, 2023 at 12:37 AM

Worcester residents want more parking sadly. They don’t understand that so many don’t want to drive in this city with hills everywhere. Improved public transit and pedestrian infrastructure is a benefit for EVERYONE. Drivers, non drivers, businesses, the city, etc, but people are extremely selfish.

I’m not tuned in politically so I couldn’t tell you what’s stopping the city govt from doing something about this, but I’m sure it has to do with money.

AceOfTheSwords t1_j5a1yps wrote on January 21, 2023 at 2:13 PM

There's also the fact that the WRTA is not directly under the control of city government. The city council and various committees have much more control over where a parking garage goes than they do on the hiring of more bus drivers and restructuring of bus routes.

AceOfTheSwords t1_j59y5dm wrote on January 21, 2023 at 1:40 PM

For what it's worth, where these and other apartments are being built (walking distance from the hub) is pretty much the ideal location to live in if you want to use the current bus system. Having basically any bus be able to take you home is a massive improvement.