So, bigots, if Islam is so horrible, why aren't you walking or biking to work?

[jwirr]

69. Years ago the local CAP program created a tax subsidized system using small buses to transport the

elderly and the disabled. It was one of the answers to the need to keep people out of more expensive nursing facilities. But it only served a small percentage of the population.

I am not sure how the idea of using it for the whole population came about but the community and businesses were very supportive because it brought in more business. We are also a pretty green area when it comes to the environment so that may have been part of it.

Everything just followed after that. The Headstart Program contracted with the new non-profit company to run their bus routes. Parents often used it to get there children to day care, pre-school and activities such as dance class. The company added trips to larger cities and special day service to outer rural areas. Any place that there was a need for transportation they were available. Our sheltered workshop uses them for transportation and many groups plan outings using the services (they hire the bus for a day). Some of us even use them as our ambulance service as they are much cheaper. I used it to go between communities by taking my local bus to Duluth and the bus from the other community home. Duluth acted as the hub between most of the communities in the Arrowhead region.

Funding from the beginning was a mix of government (all four levels - city, county, state and fed). Passengers pay around $1.25 for a one way trip inside the community. Those in outer areas often pay more but not much. Long distance trips to larger cities cost around $5 round trip and stay most of the day.

They started out with one bus but soon learned that there was a greater need. Today most communities in the system have 2-3 buses each. Our larger city in the area (Duluth) is not a part of the Arrowhead Transit system because they operate their own system in Duluth.

It really makes a difference to the people of the community. We all have greater access to the services and interests the community offers.