MTA Puts Off Meeting To Finalize Latest Service Cuts, Fare Increases

Nat Ford was not the only person who did not attend on Tuesday night at One South Van Ness. Others who did not attend were: Mayor Gavin Newsom, his SFMTA Board of Director lackeys Chairman Tom Nolan, Director Cameron Beach, Director Jerry Lee, Director Jame McCray, Director Shirley Breyer-Who-Cares-If-She-Has-a-Relative-On-The-US-Supreme-Court Black, and Director Malcolm Heinicke. And who did attend? Director Bruce Oka ...

Indeed, I do believe we've got a sham going on.

What really want to know is what is the subsidies to those who drive cars vs thous of us who take the buss. ( and I bet the people who ride bikes are getting less for there tax dollar ) A 2005 artical(1) states "The total external cost to the City and its residents of driving probably exceeds $1 billion annually." Now this is a complex number that includes lots of factors but just "Road Operations, Road Maintenance, and Roadway Services" apperenly cost a estimated at $180 million only 43% of which is covered by gas taxes.

1): http://www.spur.org/publications/library/article/estimatingtheexternalcostsofdrivinginsf09012005

Our MUNI system is a complete joke. Even if Nathaniel Ford and Gavin Newsom showed up, it wouldn't have made a difference. They would just give lip-service, take a few photos and get tons of credit for doing something in the local press.

This city loves to think that it's a public transit friendly city but it's not. The system is broken and they have no desire to change it. Buses & trains break down on a routine basis, drivers are rude and is now expensive. Even under optimal operation, transit times are too slow. There is no excuse for the 4 mile ride from Ocean Beach to Embarcadero on the N-Judah to be a 1-hour commute. To add insult to injury, they have the nerve to hire fare inspectors and to enforce to make sure people have paid in to this broken system.

I avoid MUNI as much as possible and drive instead.

Buy a car & get your monies worth.
Bicycles are not a serious viable alternative for the masses. I do love to ride my bike but it is not a mode of transportation for myself, nor a vast majority of commuters.
For one, many of us including myself require professional attire for work and showing up to work hot & sweaty from cycling just isn't going to fly. A lot of jobs don't have the facilities to shower & change at work. Also that extra work increases your overall commute.
Also, who wants to ride a bike in the rain?

Bicycles work well for some. It worked well for me when I worked while in college and had jobs that were not particular about appearances. I find it silly to hear some cyclist complain about not getting their "tax dollars" worth. How many painted bike lanes do you need? Want tax payer supported training wheels too?

Well if you are pegging me as a bike rider you are wrong. I like to ride my bike but it is not a viable commute option for me. Searosuly thou "How many painted bike lanes do you need"? are you kidding me; the cost of the striping so far can't be more then pennies on the dollar compared to driving or buss subsidies. The point hear is that it appears that we subsidize driving over all other means of transport. Might be that if we maid every one pay for what they used we would have less traffic and a better public transit system.