Thursday, June 10, 2010

BART's unanticipated 4.5 million surplus?

Michael Cabanatuan of the Chronicle reported on BART's 4.5 million surplus and how some Board members want to give something back to customers by reducing fares. Very well-intended but I'd much rather have the money go into upgrading trains, maintaining basic bathroom standards and improving handicapped accessibility.

2 comments:

Everyday BART rider said...

I totally agree. Giving riders a few cents per ride off for a few months is a stupid, obvious, election-year ruse. Come on people, they're strapped for cash all the time, and they can't figure out the priorities of what to do with a small surplus? I think we see why BART has so many budget problems in the first place....

Joe said...

Indeed. For the average commuter with an $8 daily round trip fare, the weekly savings would be about $1.20. Much better to somehow improve service, whether by cleaning trains or adding to evening/weekend service or running longer trains.