The public bus system in the Twin Cities is all right but, with some changes, it could be a lot better. That was part of the message presented Oct. 15 to councilors of Lewiston-Auburn at a joint workshop.

At that meeting, a consultant hired by the L-A Transit Committee presented sensible route and schedule changes that would greatly enhance bus accessibility and usage in the region for a small increase in funding from each city.

Changes included stops at local elementary schools and the community centers; stops in Little Canada and New Auburn; consistent and direct trips to Central Maine Community College; and Saturday service to major shopping outlets.

All of the changes had strong support from people who spoke about how they use the bus system to travel to work, buy groceries, visit the doctor, or go to school. One employee of Montello School explained how a pregnant mother had to walk from downtown to Montello one day to pick up her child who had missed the schoolbus because there was no bus service to that area. She stated that this new bus route proposal would greatly help parents without cars to participate more in their children’s education.

Good cities need convenient and reliable public transportation systems. Considering that more than 3,000 households in L-A don’t even own a car, it’s clear that alternative modes of travel are necessary to meet local transportation needs.

Rather than shortchange economic growth, the proposed changes should be implemented.

Craig Saddlemire, Lewiston