Last week, we posted the most recent METRO transit utilization data from Tom Bazan, which show a significant, ongoing decline in ridership across the system.
On Sunday, the Chronicle ran the latest public-policy op-ed from Bill King. His latest topic? The ongoing decline in METRO’s ridership.
We encourage you to go read King’s argument in its entirety. We found these points most notable:
- King contends the significant, ongoing decline in ridership tracks very well with METRO’s recent fare increases (and proposes rolling back those increases).
- King also contends that Frank Wilson’s decision to try to boost revenues at the expense of ridership represents “a monumental policy shift” with minimal public discussion that is representative of the organization’s ad hoc decisionmaking.
The op-ed has produced grumbling from some Dem partybloggers (King is a Republican after all, and that is disqualification enough for some), but like Cory Crow we think it ought to generate a more substantive discussion.
Isn’t it time to have King’s community discussion about METRO’s goals and the resources required to achieve them, instead of just deferring to Frank Wilson‘s whims? Are the projects and budget numbers laid out by METRO Solutions at all realistic in 2009? Should we consider rolling back the fare increases, and further subsidizing poorer riders who depend upon transit? Do our mayoral candidates have any opinions beyond “me too!” on these topics?
Please discuss.
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