I doubt students actually rode for free. It is probrably like here where the fee is included in tuition. You pay even if you never use it. The RAC is the same way.

It would be a great investment with a very unsure outcome. Although it may be more feasable since student tuition would pay a large part of the bill. They wouldn't be as dependent on paying customers. I still just don't see that much demand here. You don't see a whole lot of people walking from place to place and I believe walkers would be the ones most likely to use mass transit.

I keep hearing about this bus thing. It's like the idea comes up new each week by someone different who hasn't lived here very long. What would we call it, SCAT? I think it's a bit odd for us to think we can pay for a bus service in a city that is not even connected to the outside world by any commercial bus service. You can't evem catch a bus to Atlanta from here. The service was discontinued years ago since it didn't pay. Cities three times the size of ours can't make it pay. Do we really think the folks who can't afford a car now can pay for it? Bad things will happen to elected officials who propose a tax increase as a subsidy. Try putting that one to a vote.

In Finland they have trollies and the residents ride totally free BUT they must purchase a large mug of beer for $5.This should go over big with the college crowd.What say you?

Innovation and creative thinking are not the sole domain of large cities. Small towns, particularly college towns, are just as capable of coming up with good ideas...and any ideas for mass transit possibilities shouldn't be dismissed out of hand simply because they were raised by someone who hasn't lived here very long. Sometimes, a vision is clearer from outside, unhindered by collective preconceptions.

Public transit is a great thing, but, it isn't free. Iread where the county recently had to reject a regional rural transit system (dial-a-ride) because of the cost and a tight budget. The City of Statesboro ran for cover (nothing new there! - even though all the transit dependent people are in the City).

You're right Katieog, it will take innovation and creative thinking, but, it will also take money - tax money. That's what the locals are scared of. The only way to resolve it is a voter referendum.