[Speed Gibson,
Tuesday June 26, 2007 at 7:31am]
Middle Class Transit
The number one reason why public transit has been declining for decades is that, perhaps all unknowing, the folks in charge have been doing a great job of chasing the middle class off the bus.
The primary weapon is one size fits all service, starting with the fleet. There are no buses with anything approaching the creature comforts found in the cheapest of new cars. All that's up to date are the fare boxes. Also out of date is the downtown centric model, one that doesn't take middle class workers to their suburban jobs. Transfering downtown adds an hour to many trips, and waiting for a bus on Hennepin Avenue isn't for the faint of heart.
Light Rail may at least be a step in reversing this. Trouble is, LRT never will be able to carry enough passengers. The same money invested in modern, more upscale buses would have benefited far more.
The primary weapon is one size fits all service, starting with the fleet. There are no buses with anything approaching the creature comforts found in the cheapest of new cars. All that's up to date are the fare boxes. Also out of date is the downtown centric model, one that doesn't take middle class workers to their suburban jobs. Transfering downtown adds an hour to many trips, and waiting for a bus on Hennepin Avenue isn't for the faint of heart.
Light Rail may at least be a step in reversing this. Trouble is, LRT never will be able to carry enough passengers. The same money invested in modern, more upscale buses would have benefited far more.