Our public transportation emergency

ALARM bells have been ringing, but few have responded. I am talking about the crisis that has engulfed the public transportation industry for over a year. When we analyze why economic recovery remains elusive, why unemployment remains high, one of the fundamental reasons is that an essential service — public transportation — is in crisis and in danger of collapse.

Commuters feel abandoned. Transport workers have no income; their families are going hungry. Many in the public transport industry are now bankrupt and closing down. Banks are foreclosing on vehicles financed under loans. It is an ongoing disaster, with dire consequences if decisive action is not taken.