Transportation choices attract young professionals

[marmar]

By Brad Alexander
Atlanta Journal-Constitution


The debate between advocates of transit and supporters of highways often revolves around a metric that might appear simple and indisputable at first blush: dollars invested on a per-traveler, per-mile basis.

If one accepts this guiding principle, the case for roads often becomes stronger because public funds are simply used to pour asphalt and build bridges; passengers cover the costs of the actual cars themselves.

But public investment should never be viewed through such a myopic lens. If government is going to invest hard-earned tax dollars in infrastructure, it owes voters a comprehensive look at the cost and benefits of specific choices.

In transportation, this means considering job creation, real estate values and quality of life in addition to congestion relief.

Cities across America are competing for what urban theorist Richard Florida calls the “creative class.”

....(snip)....

Young professionals today — the lifeblood of tomorrow’s great cities — are looking for a city with transportation choices. Recent DOT statistics show that Americans in their 20s drove 7.7 percent fewer miles in the last decade.

Clearly, the idea that owning a car is a key milestone to adulthood is losing some currency in America. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.ajc.com/opinion/transportation-choices-attract-young-584278.html

[taterguy]

1. And that's a benefit? Whatever happened to DIE YUPPIE SCUM?

[taterguy]

2. Monday morning kick