Medford, Ore., — “I ride the bus almost everyday.”
Lucero Castaneda depends on public transportation, she like many others say the bus is the only way to get around.
Whether its because of low income…
“It’s the way I get to and from work everyday.”
Or health issues…
“I am one of the members of the community who can’t drive and relies on public transportation because of a medical condition.”
Residents say the options available in the Rogue Valley just aren’t cutting it.
“I know people who have had to take taxi cabs from their homes in Medford to their jobs in Ashland and spend $50 a day just to get to work and that isn’t affordable, it isn’t accessible. We need something better.”
But it isn’t just about the bus service..
“Where people to feel safe to walk, where people feel safe to ride their bikes, there are some main roads that are the only way to get to and from a place, and there are no sidewalks.”
Oregon Senate and House Representatives sat down with the community to hear the concerns.
People from all around the Rogue Valley showed up in support.
“We need to recognize that transit provides some ability to meet some of these statewide goals.”
“When I was Mayor of Ashland, we pushed for free transit, so we had free buses there for a while. Those are solutions the city stood behind, and I’m proud of that record, and I think there’s a lot more we can do.”
The meeting is part of the Oregon Legislatures joint transportation committee’s 7-stop tour across the state to gather information from the community about what’s working, and what’s not, when it comes to Southern Oregon’s roads.
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.