Speak up now to plan transit

Bob Schwartz, Princeton
The five transit presentations at the Princeton Future meeting on Saturday showed the blessing and curse of decisions in Princeton — 100 people will have 150 good ideas, so it takes 10 to 20 years to pick one and do it.
   That process and a lack of money to build anything now mean the Dinky will be in its current form for 20 years — serving one stop from one corner of town, running only every 20 to 30 minutes, and meeting only half the rush hour trains.
   But what transit will Princeton need in 20, 30, 40 years? Given the lead time, we need to plan now.
   Gas and cars will be more expensive, so more people will need transit to get to work nearby or along the Northeast Corridor. Students, visitors, the elderly, and others without a car will need a better system, too.
   We will need transit that lets the whole town reach jobs along Route 1 and the Northeast Corridor, running more frequently and flexibly to meet all the trains at Princeton Junction.
   The Bus Rapid Transit proposal will meet these needs for broader and more frequent service. Commuters who now have to park at Princeton Junction station or drive to employers along Route 1 would be better served by an advanced system of vehicles, routes, and signage.
   Come to the Princeton Regional Planning Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Princeton Township building to learn more and to speak up for the planning that is needed now to better serve Princeton decades from now.
Bob Schwartz
Princeton