Baltimore city is endowed with various transport networks. The residents of the city have four options to choose from namely bus, light rail, MARC train and the Metro subway. The buses provide transport throughout the city and the entire Baltimore County. The Light Rail system connects the North and the South but unfortunately does not link with the other two rail systems. The MARC train services are mainly for commuters but are unidirectional. It is ideal for those individuals who want to get to MD, DC, Frederick, and WV (Dresser, 2017). Lastly, there is the Charm City Circulator which is a free bus that uses two routes. The first route is the Orange Route which runs from Hollins Market to Harbor East. The second route is the Purple Route which runs from Penn Station to Federal Hill. Nevertheless, just like any other public transport system, the Baltimore network presents a lot of social issues.
The residents of Baltimore, most of the time, rely on bus transport to get around the city. For a long time, the bus network has been tied to issues of race and economic inequality. Those individuals who ride on the buses are relatively weak compared to those who hire cars (Dresser, 2017). Residents have often raised complaints about the inadequacy of the coaches. They argue that the city has been isolated regarding the provision of a comprehensive transport system. Even the existing rail transport does not connect the whole city. The problem becomes prominent during school days. Residents have to scramble for space with the school children during peak hours.
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It is a typical scenario to see residents sitting under shelters at the picking points. Crowding at the bus stations comes with a lot of implications. Some individuals take advantage of the situation to engage in petty crimes. Therefore, the safety of people is compromised as the bus stages become a common target for criminals. The long hours of waiting for the buses results to lateness. Reports have emerged of individuals being served with warning letters at their places of work. Others after getting tired of waiting for the buses resolve to be absent.
The congestion around the bus stations and various picking points causes noise pollution concerns. The conversations are an irritation to some people especially those who are frustrated. Some business people have found an opportunity to sell their merchants to the waiting crowds, and it is common to hear their chants, which is another noise concern. Some have gone to the extent of constructing illegal structures at the various picking points to sell their wares, an action that usually puts them into trouble with the authorities.
Perhaps the most severe problem is the congestion in the buses. People are usually packed above the maximum number (Hui & Hui, 2017). Nobody cares about issues of gender or children. As soon as the buses arrive, there is shoving, everybody for himself or herself. Older adults are usually left unattended to and most of the time have to wait until late into the night to catch a bus home. The congestion inside the buses also raises security concerns. Pick-pocketers find an excellent chance to steal from the unsuspecting passengers. Some men who take advantage of the congestion have reportedly sexually harassed women at the late hours as they arrive home. Besides, the drivers of the buses do not get time to rest. As soon as they get to the various picking points, they take off again. Most of them get worn out and sometimes cause accidents. In addition, some of them use drugs to be awake all the time. The transport companies sometimes raise the fare because of a large number of passengers.
Since most of the population of Baltimore is black, most allude that they have been segregated due to their race. They say that if the US government observed equality, it would be impossible for the city to be in the present state. Other cities in the country have developed and organized transport systems that have improved the livelihoods of the residents. Experts posit that majority of the problems arise because of the transport network (Hui &Hui, 2017).
Frustrated individuals resolve to drink alcohol especially after being dropped in the late hours of the night. Prostitution is also rife at night because men who arrive at night become a target. Alcoholics become even an easier target. Single parenthood is also common because of the busy lifestyle. Parents or caretakers cannot also get adequate time to spend with their children. Life often becomes unsustainable, and some couples get entirely out of touch with their families.
In conclusion, the Baltimore transport system has implications that cut deep into the social life of the residents of the city. It is evident that the city needs a comprehensive transport network to cater for the needs of the population. Developing a good transport network requires the cooperation of the central government and the local authorities. Improving roads and railway systems require significant amounts of resources which cannot be provided by the local authorities. A comprehensive transport system enhances business. People will be able to move their goods and services to the required places. The growth of companies will promote the creation of employment opportunities. Some social problems such as prostitution and crime will decline largely. Ultimately, poverty will also reduce. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the central government and the relevant authorities to investigate into the transport concerns and act. The government needs to foster equality by developing all regions.
References
Dresser, M. (2017). Riders air concerns about Baltimore bus system . baltimoresun.com . Retrieved 14 December 2017, from http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-transit-work-group-20150803-story.html
Hui, M., & Hui, M. (2017). What city bus systems can tell us about race, poverty and us . Washington Post . Retrieved 14 December 2017, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/what-city-bus-systems-can-tell-us-about-race-poverty-and-who-we-are/2017/09/07/6531d26a-9260-11e7-8754-d478688d23b4_story.html?utm_term=.a955ebc4ef4a
