Carm Basile's letter, "CDTA use can help schools" (Jan. 4), lays out a convincing case for cooperation and coordination among Capital Region's school districts, other educational institutions and other overarching transportation systems. He projects reduced costs and better accessibility for students to after-school activities, internships and community events — all with the swipe of a card.
Suburban and rural school districts, which operate their own systems, provide an enviable record of safe and efficient transportation of large numbers of students. The service is limited, however, mainly to K-12 pupils. State regulations prevent adults from using the system. By contrast, CDTA partners with colleges to provide bus rides not only to students, but also to faculty and staff.
Further, with the decline in student populations, many school districts have excess capacity in elementary classrooms, cafeterias, gyms, technology labs and sometimes even swimming pools. Perhaps our planners and officials, in cooperation with educational leaders, can envision how such resources might be reconfigured like medical clinics, to assist working adults and the growing numbers of seniors.
With communication, cooperation and coordination, the time is right to move forward toward a transportation system that services everyone, including those in rural areas. It's also time for regional planners and government and educational leaders to look more broadly at our resources.
Kenneth E. York
East Nassau