Op-Ed Columns

Some Alabamians love to criticize state government. But at least Gov. Bob Riley is trying something — anything — to help one segment of Alabamians save at the pump.

Riley's latest idea is to encourage state employees who can to carpool to work. It's not much — what about those Alabamians who aren't state workers? — but it's the effort that counts.

For kicks, on the right is Forbes.com's annual survey of the U.S. cities with the best and worst commutes. Yes, Birmingham is on the bad side of the list. Plus, it's easy to make fun of Forbes' definition of a "small" town.

Which makes one wonder: Is it any easier for a state employee in, say, Delta, Ala., to carpool than it is for those in Birmingham?

U.S. 'small' cities

Top 5 worst commutes

1. Birmingham

2. Raleigh, N.C.

3. Cape Coral, Fla.

4. Allentown, Pa.

5. Oxnard, Calif.

Top 5 best commutes

1. Corpus Christi, Texas

2. Eugene, Ore.

3. Anchorage, Alaska

4. Fresno, Calif.

5. Rochester, N.Y.

Source: Forbes.com.

Note: Forbes defined "small cities" as having fewer than 500,000 commuters. Judging criteria included travel delays, travel times, and use of existing infrastructure.