Westport CT Suggests Slugging
Printed From: Slug-Lines.com
Category: General Slugging Questions and Comments
Forum Name: General Slugging Topics
Forum Description: This is the area for all general slugging comments. To add a comment simply create a new topic or see FAQ for detailed information on how to post comments.
URL: http://www.slug-lines.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=941
Printed Date: 16 May 2024 at 7:25pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Westport CT Suggests Slugging
Posted By: Admin
Subject: Westport CT Suggests Slugging
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2004 at 7:08pm
I recently had this article sent to me from the Westport News. Go to:
http://www.westport-news.com/Stories/0,1413,100~4435~2104356,00.html
Here is the text from the artcle:
Reconsider Hitchhiking
After reading Congressman Shays' letter in the Westport News [April 16], it does not seem to me as if our congressman is aware that the simplest and easiest way to ease traffic conditions is to reduce the number of cars on the road.
There is no shortcut, but there is an easy solution, a solution gaining favor all over the country. It's in fact becoming a national trend... they used to call it hitch hiking. But now, to ease conservative business sensibilities, it's been coined "slugging."
One of the most successful example of this growing trend, which I'm sure is putting the fear of God into all of Westport's retired ExxonMobil portfolio retirees, is happening in the Washington D.C. area.
Their Web site has become a veritable powerhouse of ride sharing and pooling networks: http://www.slug-lines.com
In theory, it's safe to assume that for every "slugger" there is one less car on the road at rush hour. Slugging does away with the necessity for making complicated plans ahead of time. You just become part of the slugging community... You start using your thumb again.
A group in California has taken it a step further. They call themselves Go Geronimo. Local police stations issue Go Geronimo picture ID cards to both drivers and riders, since they are interchangeable depending on whether or not they are taking their car out that day or not.
In theory, if this keeps up, and if such clubs make hitch hiking fun and safe again for everyone, as they already have all over Europe, then we could easily see cutting traffic by a third in the time it would take to nationalize a hitch hiking/slugging program.
I wonder if Congressman Shays considers reducing our dependence on foreign oil to be good anti-terrorism policy. Or if Congressman Shays owes his allegiance to the ExxonMobil Westport retirees.
Remy Chevalier
26th District State Senate Candidate, Green Party
|
Replies:
Posted By: JimH
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2004 at 8:18pm
|
Admin, Cool!! You got mentioned in another state.
|
Posted By: glacier
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2004 at 8:53am
Nice work, hopefully it will increase the "slugging" level of awareness in our area.
Cheers,
Glacier
|
Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2004 at 12:55pm
|
Yeah. I hope so, too, Glacier.
|
Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2004 at 1:54pm
quote:
Originally posted by glacier
[br]Nice work, hopefully it will increase the "slugging" level of awareness in our area.
Cheers,
Glacier
I think the level of awareness in our area is big. Just think, we've had an article in the Washington Post, interviews from Channel 5 and countless other requests from freelancers. I'm just proud to be a slug!
|
Posted By: glacier
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2004 at 2:13pm
Yes, but all that and 50 cents will get us a cup of coffee. There are numerous people I talk to in the greater DC area that have no clue on what slugging is. And many that have heard have no idea of the benefits to other commuters and the issues we fight for.
I'm not knocking you, just would like to see increased "total" awareness.
Cheers,
Glacier
|
Posted By: Max_28756
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2004 at 12:31pm
|
Until I started slugging in October '03 (yes I'm a rookie), I thought the idea was crazy at the least and dangerous at the worst. I now know better and do my best to put the word out even at the risk of increasing the wait in line. I shake my head at all the empty cars stuck in traffic in the morning as we drive by in the HOV. Thanks to this WEB site, it got me started!
|
Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2004 at 8:31am
quote:
Originally posted by Max_28756
[br]Until I started slugging in October '03 (yes I'm a rookie), I thought the idea was crazy at the least and dangerous at the worst. I now know better and do my best to put the word out even at the risk of increasing the wait in line. I shake my head at all the empty cars stuck in traffic in the morning as we drive by in the HOV. Thanks to this WEB site, it got me started!
Rookie or not, slugging serves the same purpose for everyone who does it. I'm with you MAX, I shake my head as well as do a lot of our other collegues. I believe when I retire, I'll slug once a month to stay proficient.
|
|