Transit Recovers 31.8% of Costs (in USA) (Was 0%)

[Access Systems]

In misc.transport.urban-transit Aidan Stanger <st...@iweb.net.au> wrote:
> Abhay Thatte <arth...@u.washington.edu> wrote:
> >
> > Thus it is fair to say that proper accounting shows that transit loses
> > 100% of its costs, or about $22 billion a year.
> What a silly argument!
> AND IT IS VERY BAD ACCOUNTING!!!!!!

> I agree, but think the chance that George Conklin will post a reply that's
> 0% new is pretty near 100%!

talk about a sure thing

> Bob <acce...@smart.net> wrote:
> | In Maryland it is State Law that transit recover 50% of their cost from
> | the farebox!
> | they do it, or cut service/raise fares

> Am I right in thinking this applies to the system as a whole, not specific
> routes?
yes and no, the law applies to the system as a whole, but the TA keeps
records by the route (complicated formula for transfers) and when they
don't make the recovery they cut the routes with the lowest recovery ratio

> Also, is this just operating costs, or does it include
> infastructure as well? If just the former, is it doing any better than the
> American average?

it includes infastructure but not capital costs, it is the highest cost
recovery ratio of a major transit system (top 100) in the country.
(according to FTA)

Bob