![[PHOTO: SM-Caruso, Flickr]](http://www.reconnectrochester.org/images/photos/rochester-skyline-smcaruso.jpg)
Posted by: DeWain Feller, Vice President
For decades, transportation planners were focused on moving and storing cars as efficiently as possible. The result today is that Rochesterians have become dependent on driving for virtually all trips. Homes, stores, offices, and industry have been moved outside of the effective reach of public transit. Our downtown’s dependence on parking has thinned out the core of our community until it has become a shell of its former self.
Today, many young singles (and empty nesters) are opting to do away with the expense of owning a car, and moving back into city centers. The cities that have shifted their transportation planning toward walking, biking, and public transit, are the ones that will capitalize the most…



![Sidewalk off Mt. Hope [Photo: Brenda Massie]](http://www.reconnectrochester.org/images/photos/snow-sidewalk-rochester-ny-01.jpg)
![Now would be a good time to contact your State Senator and Assembly member to request that they support increased transit funding in the state budget. [PHOTO: RTS]](http://www.reconnectrochester.org/images/photos/rts-bus-cornhill.jpg)





![RTS has announced several changes, including new bus stop signs and route numbers. [IMAGE: Rochester Transit Service]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/bso-rts-new-bus-stop-sign-01.jpg)

![Congress needs to develop and pass a long-term authorization and funding bill before the short-term bill expires next May. [PHOTO: Sam Newman]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-expressway.jpg)
![Park & Changes are coming. [PHOTO: RGRTA]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-park-and-ride-01.jpg)




![RTS has scheduled a 'How to Ride the Bus' transit orientation for Tuesday, April 29. [PHOTO: RGRTA]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/how-to-ride-rts-bus-01.jpg)
![Rochester's cool retro-style bus shelters will be history by this time next year unless someone steps forward to claim them. [PHOTO: RocPX.com]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-bus-shelter-rick-urwin.jpg)
![The new RTS Transit Center will be opening on November 28th, 2014. Coinciding with the transit center opening, RTS is also proposing changes to bus routes and schedules. [PHOTO: RGRTA]](http://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rts-route-changes-01.jpg)