Might as well summarize the major problems here: - Fares and revenue! Only a fraction of PVTA revenue comes from fares, and the process for changing fares is very contentious and slow. Moreover, fares are flat regardless of trip distance:https://twitter.com/380kmh/status/968169321431171072 …
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While it might not be possible to achieve profitable operations, it goes without saying that the more of the budget can come from bus riders, the more accountable PVTA will be to bus riders. If it comes from taxpayers, then the taxpayers--not the passengers--are the customer!
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- Operating mentality! Although our bus schedules are better than, say, commuter rail schedules, there is still a prevailing mentality that most travel is for going to and from work--even tho our own data says otherwise:https://twitter.com/380kmh/status/992062099424792576 …
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Reductions in service on weekends and holidays are a self-fulfilling prophecy: they run reduced schedules because they expect less travel....which forces people to travel less because the schedule's no good!https://twitter.com/380kmh/status/956575786294706177 …
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Last one for now, similar to previous: the "core philosophy" problemhttps://twitter.com/380kmh/status/1040422866188230656 …
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It is taken for granted that transit is not supposed to provide general-purpose transportation, but rather transportation for the poor and those who can't drive. Never mind that many who are poor DO drive, and many who can't drive don't live near transit...
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...the flaw in this conception of the "purpose" of transit is simply that the best way to make a service that's useful for the poor is by making a service that's useful for *anyone.*
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Our roads, for example, are much better for the poor who can drive than our buses are for the poor who can't. Because our roads are expected to be used by anyone *as much as they can afford to,* while transit is expected to ONLY be used by those w/o a choice.
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The more people can use transit, the more useful it is, and vice versa:https://twitter.com/380kmh/status/1040419294130184192 …
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Should probably add one more problem, despite saying I'd stop at three: public involvement You know how grocery stores don't have to hold public hearings every time the prices change on, say, apples? Or every time they introduce a new product, or discontinue an old one? Yeah...
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Public involvement is something which can be very useful--but it isn't something INTRINSICALLY useful, and can end up being extremely counterproductive, time intensive, and wasteful of resources.
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What's more, the results of public involvement rarely have much bearing on transit operations, and the public is generally aware of (and angered by) this. It only makes people cynical to have them go through the motions, and since "lack of public feedback" isn't a big problem...
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...I think it's time to put the idea to rest. I promise that other businesses have ways of gauging customer feedback without scheduling public meetings--we can do the same in transit.
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So, summary: - Overhaul fares, prioritize farebox recovery - Overhaul schedules, prioritize consistency - Reduce public involvement & other "fruitless but feels good" requirements - Focus on overall travel market rather than low-income travel market
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Thanks, I'll check it out later. I think you probably understood I dont have a beef with you. My beef is with the state legislature on many fronts - the Elites who think they are smart and the rest of us are dumb! You mean the MBTA doesn't make a profit? ROFL
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of course they don't! they aren't required to, they don't make any effort to, they use flat fares on their subway and buses, etc etc...they are a branch of the state, not a business
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Certainly agree with you re: irritation at the state legislature (and governor)
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Wait. A guy who says the government can’t run a public transport properly, but he wants them doing INTERNATIONAL public safety? This is the strangest libertarianism I’ve ever seen.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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