Letter: Bus route changes would help residents, environment

Man hands writing in the diary, coffee mug and laptop on wooden table

From: Rajan T. Mookken

Columbus

Columbus is a beautiful city with many picturesque landscapes and immaculate environments. It is on the threshold of becoming a bigger city with more industrial units, more tourism spots and many educational establishments.

Along with these developments, human movements will increase and more vehicles will be used and operational. With more vehicles there will be more emission and resultant harmful effects on air quality and the environment.

During summer months, there are about 20% more vehicles running because children/students are attending several vacations classes, and more grandparents are visiting Columbus to take care of their grandchildren.

The following are some of implementable suggestions to avoid deterioration of air quality and protection of environment:

  • There should be the introduction of community transportation, because the current ColumBus routes are not adequate.
  • More circular routes. For example, Route 5 currently goes to Riverstone Apartments and return. If this bus makes a circular trip covering Terrace Lake Church, Fox Ridge homes, Shadow Creek Farms, Southside Elementary school, reaching The Commons and the city’s center, many visitors, students, elders could use it for city commuting.

The advantages are:

  • Reduction in the number of vehicles, resulting in reduced emissions and sustaining air quality
  • Many visitors can reach market and tourism spots
  • In the younger generation, a sense of utilizing mass transportation will be inculcated
  • Tourism will be enhanced