Re: Overcrowded and underfunded

[Michael Taylor-Judd]

Good article, and great questions... reminding us of the need to get this group off the ground!

Shall we plan another organizing meeting soon?

 

Thanks,

Michael 8-)

"Whatever we once were, we are no longer just a Christian nation; we are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers." --Barack Obama

----- Original Message ----
From: Rodney Rutherford <rod...@stru.org>
To: stru-s...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sunday, September 7, 2008 11:34:01 PM
Subject: Overcrowded and underfunded


The Sunday Times had an article about the overcrowding and
underfunding of our transit system:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008163633_busybuses07.html

...due to the rising costs, taxpayer subsidy has risen from 75% to 80%.

I believe that there is much that can be done to increase the
efficiency of our bus system. Keep in mind that every bus hour costs
the same, no matter if it moves 1 person or 80 people. Moving more
people and increasing the speed of buses is key. Traffic signal
priority, off-board fare payment, and many other options exist to help
make our system more efficient.

Meanwhile, revenue could be improved by increasing basic fares and
offer residents a discount card which would qualify the rider for
discount fares which would be similar to today's fares. (Meanwhile,
visitors would have to pay the full rate; Zurich has a similar fare
system, for example.) Also, consider charging for parking at
high-demand park-and-rides. (Those parking spots are expensive, too!)

Do you have thoughts on these ideas? Or would you like to share yours?