Pros and Cons to a Transportation Co-op?

[OneGrassRoot]

I'm a huge proponent of member- and worker-owned co-ops, but I have to say I never thought of a transportation co-op until this morning. Someone mentioned that my area (Raleigh, NC), which is way behind with public transportation, with it essentially not available at all in outlying areas that have grown tremendously, is entertaining the idea of one particular area of the city creating their own public transportation. I couldn't find the article pertaining to that, but stumbled across this and I'm intrigued.

I realize our tax dollars are supposed to provide such things, but what if it could be a way to generate income and investment opportunities in the local communities as an off-shoot to existing public transportation? Is this one of those services that shouldn't be private, even in a cooperative community manner?

I welcome your thoughts. :)

Cooperation between public and private transportation providers and the businesses they serve is critical to the future of regional transportation.

To that end, Linx - the Greater Yellowstone Regional Transportation Cooperative - is looking to sign on all kinds of transportation providers to create seamless transit opportunities throughout its 27-county Greater Yellowstone service area, and beyond.

"The whole idea is to get the region connected in a way that makes transit attractive and affordable, and something that businesses will want to invest in, as well," said Jan Brown, interim director of Linx and executive director of the Yellowstone Business Partnership.

Linx has launched an investment campaign outreach to large employers, health care facilities, tourism companies, retail centers and others who could significantly benefit from having regional transportation opportunities available to them, their customers, clients and employees.

http://www.tetonvalleynews.net/news/regional-transit-co-op-needs-partners-providers/article_79d58a8e-fd6d-11df-b5b9-001cc4c002e0.html

[OneGrassRoot]

1. Also, do you guys know of any online communities about co-ops in the US?

I would really love to explore and brainstorm about different types of co-ops we could start, but DUers, for the most part, just aren't interested.

I'm wondering if any of you brilliant people know where I might find others who are interested and gathered online?

Thanks. :)

[supernova]

2. I'm interested

And I live here.

:hi: from Orange County!

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Hola!

:hi:

Unless I or someone else finds a place to gather online to brainstorm about co-ops, those of us interested can gather in a Community Group created by NCBA (National Cooperative Business Association) at Wishadoo! (This really wasn't a post to plug Wishadoo!; I'm genuinely trying to find others interested and, if there's an existing group -- beyond a Yahoo! group 'cause I can't deal with their group setup for some reason...lol -- I'll join there.)

The NCBA doesn't t have an online community area as yet, so I invited them to create a group at Wishadoo!, so this may be the best place for others interested in co-ops to gather.

:)

[OneGrassRoot]

4. Co-ops most likely aren't what you think....

Most people picture food co-ops or purchasing co-ops to get better prices through purchasing power.

There are worker-owned co-ops. Evergreen Cooperatives of Cleveland, Ohio, is awesome:

The Evergreen Cooperatives of Cleveland, Ohio are pioneering innovative models of job creation, wealth building, and sustainability. Evergreen’s employee-owned, for-profit companies are based locally and hire locally. We create meaningful green jobs and keep precious financial resources within our community. Our workers earn a living wage and build equity in their firms as owners of the business.

http://www.evergreencoop.com/index.html

[Edweird]

5. Some people believe Porsches make the best race cars. Others believe Fords make the best race cars.

I believe rental cars make the best race cars.
:evilgrin:
Seriously, I couldn't see doing something like that. My vehicles are an extension of my personality and uniquely my own. I could only see doing that a car that I purchased specifically for that purpose and had no attachment to.

[OneGrassRoot]

7. I wasn't thinking of personal vehicles....

I think there's a name for those services but can't think of it now.

The idea I thought was worth entertaining was to have businesses and others invest -- a co-op, buying membership -- to purchase commercial buses or large vans to offer public transportation where it isn't otherwise available.

[Motown_Johnny]

6. I would love to see it work, but I believe public money should be supporting

public transportation.



This looks a little like one more way to privatize something that the government should be involved in.

[OneGrassRoot]

8. Fair enough...

but what if we develop alternatives such as co-ops since it may the government ages to do the right thing? Not typical corporations which is what I think of when I hear "privatizing," but worker-owned and member-owned co-ops, with democratic one person, one vote approaches to an enterprise. Enterprises where it's set up that management can never make x amount more than other workers. Everyone is an owner. Members of the community and the community itself benefits.

:)