| Riders urge Port Authority to trim, not cut threatened North Hills ...
Loss of the 11C bus route will mean longer commutes, more crowded buses and missed medical appointments, people in the North Hills told members of the Port Authority board. "I don't know how people will get to [UPMC] Passavant Hospital," said Judith Davin, of West View. "I am legally blind ... and good bus service was why I moved to West View." Robert Lacher said. The 11C connects West View and Ross with Downtown Pittsburgh and several places to the north, including UPMC Passavant, La Roche College, Northland Public Library and Duncan Manor Shopping Center. The 11C is one of 124 weekday routes slated for elimination as part of the Port Authority's effort to head off an $80 million operating deficit next year. The public transit agency also is contemplating two options for fare increases: a $2 flat fee for all zones or a $2.50 base fare that maintains free service within part of Downtown Pittsburgh.
Council criticised for 'unfair' disabled transport changes
ABERDEENSHIRE Council has been criticised for making changes to an important service for disabled people. The local authority has revised the TaxiCard Scheme, which provides discounted taxi and rail travel for those who cannot use conventional bus service because of severe physical disability or infirmity, and limited the number of people who are eligible. The scheme is expected to face a £200,000 overspend and the council has changed the eligibility criteria to limit the number of people taking advantage of the scheme and cut costs. These changes mean disabled people who have ready access to a car, who can drive and hold a diasabled person's Blue Badge are disqualified. The Blue Badge allows a vehicle transporting a disabled person to stop and park on designated spaces or on yellow lines without fear of being penalised.
Internet offers hope to some on Skid Row
LOS ANGELES - As he makes his way through life on Skid Row, Eddie Guevara carries with him a toothbrush, a cap, some packets of salt -- and an e-mail address. The toothbrush keeps the 42-year-old bricklayer healthy, the hat keeps him warm and the salt makes the meals he receives at the Union Rescue Mission on San Pedro Street a little more palatable. But it's the e-mail he sees as his ticket out. And now that he has a chance to check it, he's feeling confident about his chances to work his way back to a regular life. "I'm not a street person. I'm looking for jobs," he said. "Now I can spend my time doing that instead of spending all my time walking around, looking for a library to get on the Internet." On Wednesday, Guevara logged on to become one of the inaugural users of the mission's Internet cafe.
Living Standard Increases
The direct causes of per capita income and living standard increases are technologies, new and old. These are the tools, machines, materials, power sources, medicines, and manufacturing and commercial practices) that are transformed into consumable goods and services comprising basic living standards that are summarized in per capita income statistics. Technologies affect living standards in three ways: (1) They create goods and service that people want, but don't have. Automobiles, telephones, most medicines and medical care did not exist at one time, but were created by innovators. (2) They improve the quality of goods and services that people already have. Medicines, foods, clothing, medical care are improved compared to those available in former times. (3) They increase the availability of goods and services to more people by reducing the effort, waste, and cost to produce them.
|
