Jampacked transit systems running on fumes

[marmar]

from MSNBC:



Jampacked transit systems running on fumes
Underfunded buses, subways, trains strand some passengers by the wayside


Alex Johnson
Reporter


Transportation experts who have pushed mass transit since the 1970s are getting their wish as soaring gas prices persuade Americans to abandon their cars for buses and trains in record numbers. But as the adage says, be careful what you wish for.

Mass transit ridership is at its highest point in 50 years, the according to research by the American Public Transportation Association. For many riders, it just got too expensive to drive.

“I do it to save gas whenever I can,” said Cody Nunez, a student at Pasco High School in Kennewick, Wash. “I don’t want to be paying $50 every week.”

Shevette Porter of Palm Beach County, Fla., recently bought a bus pass for Tri-Rail. Ridership for the system in March was up 20 percent over March 2007; in April it was up another 28 percent year over year.

“It’s been costing $150 a week just in gas,” Porter said. “I’m losing time, but it’s well worth it.”

Not built for modern loads

The story is the same everywhere: In Seattle, commuter rail ridership recorded the biggest jump in the nation during the first quarter, with 28 percent more riders than during the same time last year. Ridership in Harrisburg, Pa., rose 17 percent. In Oakland, Calif., it rose 15.8 percent.

Nationwide, Americans took 2.6 billion bus, subway, commuter rail and light rail trips in the first three months of the year, 85 million more than in the same period last year, the American Public Transportation Association said. But it’s not clear that the nation’s transit systems are able to handle the load.

While many major cities cities have invested heavily in mass transit over the past 15 years, many more have not. Now that people are demanding service, there isn’t the infrastructure to provide it. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25010939 /

[DS1]

1. I can't imagine what the commuter train line from CT to NYC looks like

It was pretty packed 8 years ago

[Mika]

2. Miami-Dade is cutting their mass transit systems just when use is way up. Budget crisis. n/t

[izquierdista]

3. Not the only thing

"Now that people are demanding service, there isn’t the infrastructure to provide it."

Mass transit is not the only thing that isn't there when the public demands it. Health care, renewable energy, higher education, day care, you name it.

[Fredda Weinberg]

4. Tri-Rail ... the best & worst of mass transit. When I worked downtown

it was a dream ... but off-hours, fuggetaboutit, I'd rather take the scenic route by the beach.

But I'm home in NYC and saw the McDonald Ave line for the first time in years ... I mean through the platform by the stairs and down to the street below. Never in my life ... and I remember the '70's, did we let things slide this badly.

And Sunday, when the F line went down, we held a platform revolt to notify the token booth clerk, who couldn't even give us proper block tickets to transfer. I cancelled my plans, but hundreds were miserable in 90+ temperatures.

We will recover, but awareness will be slow in coming.

[liberal N proud]

5. Damn, transportation in this country is so far behind

If we ever get real transportation systems in the country they will make sure it cost as much to ride as it does to drive.
Take for example Trains (what little there is) and Planes. It is still more cost effective to drive a family or 3 or 4 across country than to fly or take Amtrak. Airfare and train passes rise in cost as does the price of gasoline.

Transit cost is killing this nation.

[Carnea]

6. This is my pet peeve from hell.

It's kind of like the mass transit system. A municipality loses money on each passenger that rides the bus. Fuel goes up and so many more people ride the bus the municipality can't afford the new buses and routes needed for the new customers. So instead off increasing fares in a bull market (so to speak) they cut service because of rising costs. :banghead:

1. they need to raise prices. Both to deal with rising fuel costs and to expand service to meet demand.

2. Expand service. Our local bus system goes tom sleep around 7:30 pm. Thats nuts. Many people work second or third shift or in restaurants and clubs.

Most people don't take mass transit because it is slow and doesn't go where it is needed. It is a classic chicken and egg problem. If you don't expand mass transit you can't get the passenger loads to support mass transit.

But back to one Bus fares in my town are very low. I would continue to subsidize for the working poor and unemployed elderly students etc but everyone else can afford $5 a day to use the busses.