Without bus fare, homeless struggle to find, keep jobs

[Liberal_in_LA]

Without bus fare, homeless struggle to find, keep jobs

Shawn Smith lives in a tent near her part-time job stocking shelves at an International Drive outlet store.

To get around, she relies on her feet or, if she can scrape up a couple of bucks, a ride on a Lynx bus.

But without a car or regular access to a bus, it is almost impossible to find full-time employment, much less hold on to it, the 47-year-old woman said.

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Homeless advocates say Smith's complaint is a common refrain from people living on the streets. The problem, officials say, is no one has the money to buy enough bus passes to meet the needs of the homeless.

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Though many congregate in downtown Orlando, the homeless actually are spread throughout the region. Some live in their cars or vans, but most are without wheels and cash, Jackson said. That lack of mobility means they are stuck applying for work in a small geographic area.


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-homeless-buses-orlando-20111106,0,7215922.story

[msongs]

1. we have lots of money to kill people with drones however nt

[grilled onions]

2. Once Again The 1% Are Clueless

As they get shuttled around in limos,corporate jets they have no clue of what it is to scrounge up change for a bus ride. They think bikes are for recreation only. People walk for exercise only. They have no idea many have to walk to work even in climates cold and snowy. If lucky they may have a beat up bike to speed up the trip. If they are near a bus route which is not easy in many parts of the country and IF they have the money they may be lucky enough to get a bus ride providing their hours at work coincide with the bus time table.
The limo people think many are lazy because they don't show up for a job. Mothers of sick kids often have to care for the child and lose a days pay. They don't have a nanny to take over during working hours.
The poor,the homeless have so many things going against them. Things have to change.

[Lordquinton]

3. That reminds me of something I saw on a trail

I was walking home on a local trail years ago, and it had a very gratuitous and unneeded switchback. it had been clear that many had taken offence to this and found the quickest path through it, next to the shortcut was a sign saying something about taking the longer route because "Remember: you are here for your excersize." That was a key moment in my life that showed me just how different things are for different people.

[Liberal_in_LA]

8. wow. That sign certainly does how there are different ways to view life.

[defendandprotect]

4. Our government is a disgrace -- !!!

[flvegan]

5. This is so stupid, I find I have to censor myself.

[grasswire]

6. Wellstone: Stand Up, Keep Fighting!

While this is happening, millions upon millions of cars with one driver and no passengers whiz here and there.

Here is an opportunity for a movement. The need: rides for working people. How could that need be addressed? What would Wellstone do?

[Javaman]

7. Here in Austin, the bus fare for a monthly pass used to be 10 bucks...

then they tripled it. It's now 30 bucks a month.

and now the stupid ass capmetro wonders why no one is riding it.

those whose sole means of transportation was the bus, just got priced out.

and on top of this, a portion of capmetro has just been handed over to a corporation to run.

It just went from bad to horrible.

so much stupidity in Austin city council, it's hard to describe.

[shanti]

9. and to make matters worse

some municipalities stop transportation service (buses, light rail) at a time which makes it impossible for people to work swing or graveyard shift. budget cuts.....:(

[ck4829]

10. This is the most we'll hear about this. The 'liberal' media treats the working homeless like a myth

"Employed... AND homeless? Haha! That's impossible!"

Good luck getting any help when the media and the politicians treat you like you are the Loch Ness Monster.

K&R.

[KamaAina]

11. Some transitional housing here comes with a VTA EcoPass

The EcoPass program is unusual in that corporations, and other participants like San Jose State, must buy passes for ALL their employees (or students), but at a hugely discounted rate (since only a pathetic 7 percent of people here commute on transit :grr: ). A number of transitional housing providers participate, too. If you've ever been to the Valley, that's a good thing, because everything is miles away from everything else. It's basically one giant suburb in search of a city. :eyes:

[defendandprotect]

12. Anyone so impoverished should have free access to public transportation -- !!

Rates are outrageous anyway!!