Naomi B. Schiff - Comments

Dear FTA, Are you planning to "Leave Our Children Behind?" A high proportion of our East Bay students are very much dependent on AC Transit to get to and from school, and it is highly unlikely that any private company will step up to replace our public transit authority to do this. We have a geographically challenging town; we have a great many students whose schools are from from home and who do not have alternative transportation. And because of our geography, it is imperative that students have the flexibility that comes with a bus system that is integrated into the larger transportation system of the city. I believe that a policy preventing public transit from carrying these students will radically increase our drop-out rate and will directly conflict with the policies that allow parents to seek the best schools for their children, rather than the nearest ones. My daughters have used AC Transit to get to and from school and it made it possible for them to go to the best high schools for the interests, and for me to keep my business running. Several of my employees also have children and rely on public transit so that they don't have to leave work to go pick them up by automobile. Please do not change the rules. It would work directly against stated government goals related to educational access. Thank you, Naomi Schiff homeowner, parent, small business owner, employer, voter