Where does it all end? High fuel costs continue to be the talk of the time, yet, when I look around, I still see single passenger cars motoring down the streets and highways.
Transit authorities have attempted to facilitate efforts to get us around via Sam Trans, car pools, Bart and local shuttles as they connect with Caltrain and the airports. The problem with all this is we don’t seem to trust the efficiency of being able to get around like we’re accustomed to.
At the very least the high cost of oil is fueling the research into fuel efficiency and alternative energy. Diesel, hybrid and alternative fuel cars are being talked about all the time. Some progress is being made by companies that are producing diesel–electric or gas-electric hybrids. The benefits of these cars are the reduction of nitrous oxides and greenhouse gases. They are all still being tested.
I was disturbed to read a recent article about Congress considering opening a section of an Alaskan refuge for oil drilling. That would be an environmental tragedy if we had to resort to it.
There is, however, another way to minimize this continued reliance on oil – public transportation. It would be in everyone’s best interest to experiment with taking advantage of our local shuttle system to get us around to shopping areas such as Hillsdale or Bridgepoint, either for work or transferring to the train for San Francisco/San Jose/Peninsula destinations.
With increased usage of public transportation, we can make a difference and consistent use may result in more frequency of service locally. Consider the domino affect. Think of the number of cars that can be deleted from the roadways in and around Foster City. Think of the money we can save on gas.
Another consideration for fuel efficiency are car pools. With school back in session, parents should consider car pooling the children to school. The affects of car pooling would not only reduce the traffic issues around schools but increase the safety for our children.
If you stop and think about it, there are ways we can all come up with to minimize the use of our automobile. Public transportation is improving all the time and there is a concerted effort in marketing its use for everyone’s benefit for both now and in the future.
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