Surveying the late modern scene, one sees the numerous problems precipitated by the policy of unlimited increase in roadways and traffic. Most readily encountered among these are the congestion and parking difficulties that are commonplaces in most citizens’ lives. Of greater subtlety are the effects of unabated air pollution manifested in public health problems (particularly for infant youths and the elderly), global warming, ozone depletion, and decreased visibility. Clearly, the lack of use of alternatives to fossil fuel contributes significantly to the continuing air quality difficulties.
At the same time, communities experience inadequate internal communication and cohesion, at least in significant part, as a result of the complexity and acceleration of everyday life. This represents a challenge to community planning and building in the face of modern fragmentation and spiritual confusion. Needed are sources of community integration that are sensitive to the importance of ecological stewardship. Ecocab is ultimately a broad community service and simultaneously a platform for conducting a socially responsible business.
The above are strong indications of the need for appropriate socio-cultural change that is in the prevailing world view, ethos, and practice. The reference point here is the welfare of our children and our children’s children, as well as ourselves. It is in this context that Ecocabs are proposed as a practical step in the required direction toward community improvement and sustainability. First and foremost, they substitute human power for fossil fuel with positive implications for air pollution minimization. Secondly, Ecocab operators can perform the community service functions of general information dissemination and public education regarding ecological realities. More specifically the latter refers to the need for sensitizing the public (i.e., through visual psychology and conversations with individual fares) regarding the need to move away from automobiles that use fossil fuels, particularly in downtown zones. Information dissemination here is intended to include knowledge of community events, resources, and services. More explicitly, these services are potentially diverse and understood to include personalized general urban transportation resources as well as public and private events, city and entertainment tours, and the promotion of local businesses and artistic venues. The ability of Ecocab to perform this diverse line-up of services will prove to be a valuable asset to the community.
