I am writing on behalf of several friends of mine who would like to ride the city bus, but due to the situation at the main terminal they are scared to ride.

I, too, am an ex-rider of the city bus system. I’ve heard that recently the price per ticket has even increased. The bus system may be on its way to having a clientele made up of ghosts, and as you may know, ghosts ride for free.

I am a taxi rider now and though I pay a higher fare, at least I can feel safe and free from being mauled by the panhandlers and transients who have taken up residence at the downtown waiting station. For a while when I was riding I found a little spot at the end, around the corner where I could hide and still see when the buses arrived. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for the beggars to find me, causing me to give up bus riding completely.

It’s a shame to watch a good bus system be devoured by beggars and teens.

I would like to see another shelter built somewhere downtown so my hard-working friends and myself could have a place to wait for the bus without having to fend off drug dealers, panhandlers and misguided youth who have taken over that area of our city. Until a change comes, our overpriced, but safe cab companies will continue to flourish.

Hopefully someone has the power to plant a seed that will grow into a workable plan and will provide protection for all of Bangor’s current and want-to-be bus riders.

William Spring

Bangor