The Town Council decided last year to tap into what for it was basically free money and update the limited Two Town Trolley service.
Town Council added a one time dribble more than what it had been using to support the existing service, and worked with Blacksburg Transit and the New River Valley Planning District Commission's MPO to conduct a survey to determine interest. Then town administration defined the three, unconnected new routes and launched it just in time for the winter shopping season at the mall.
In a bad economy, in the winter.
Have you tried any of the three routes yet, or used the "Go Anywhere" service? Have council members made the success of this venture a priority, by setting an example or conducting a media blitz?
Over in the other 'burg, citizens are encouraged to use alternative transportation. It's green, it's sustainable, it can be healthier and mean less for maintaining expensive road systems.
A new campaign is called Celebrate Clean Commuting. Those who pledge to use alternative transportation find hospitality stations manned by volunteers. Partners provide extra activities and incentives. Did Christiansburg try to jump on board?
There are a few options for Christiansburg residents, especially if they are headed elsewhere for work. See details at http://www.ridesolutions.org which includes where or how you can combine bus and bike for transportation.
Christiansburg Town Council will likely look at the easy path. Don't require sidewalks in residential neighborhoods. Don't develop an inter-connected trail system. Don't support the bus service. Don't paint bike lanes on public roads or develop a public awareness campaign. These amenities don't appear overnight, so this "bus" may have already been missed.
People may not notice this today, but wait until gas hits $3/gallon or more again. This is not business friendly, it is not green and is not sustainable. It doesn't conform with the town's own Comprehensive Plan. It isolates our community and neighborhoods, and will continue to be an economic deterent driving business and homeowners elsewhere.