For Metro's strapped budget, a wealth of ideas but not cash

[Jkid]

By Robert Thomson
Sunday, March 14, 2010

In "The Paradox of Choice," author Barry Schwartz makes the case that more can be less. Sometimes, he writes, we have too many options for our own good. Rather than being thrilled with the range of possibilities before us, we become anxious about sorting through them all and making the right choice.

Metro riders now find themselves neatly bound within those pages. Never have they been presented with so many choices directly affecting their travels as the transit authority's board tries to balance its budget.

What we wished for

In previous rounds of transit budgeting, the Metro board has sought comment on a narrowed-down set of fare increases or service cuts. Riders chafed at that. Bring us in on the ground floor, they told the board. Board members listened to them and have released for discussion just about every budget-balancing idea they have heard of.

The list of options already was pages long when board members told the staff to look again to make sure the document included every concept that was legal and technically feasible from any responsible source.

More on: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/13/AR2010031301964.html?hpid=dynamiclead

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As a metro rider, I only have one thing to say: Two bucks, either-way, regardless of rush-hour or off-peak times. BE DONE WITH IT.

[brooklynite]

1. and the money to subsidize a $2.00 fare will come from...?

I work for the Transit Authority in NYC, where we're going through the same dilemma. Riders don't appreciate that delivering the subway or but trip costs approximately twice what we charge for it, and politicians, rather than dealing with the financial issues, offer platitudes about over-paid management (if Democratic) or over-paid Unions (if Republicans, then at te last minute patches up the funding for a year or so when we go through the whole squabble again.

[Captain Hilts]

2. People who don't ride Metro benefit from it. Fare increases are unfair.Transit should be inexpensive

[marmar]

3. True....Isn't the most valuable real estate in DC-MD-VA usually that close to a Metro stop?

nt

[Captain Hilts]

4. BINGO. And not to mention making more space for others who do drive, etc. nt