Semi-Profound MUNI Thought of the Day: Fare Increases
As we all know, there's loose talk of increasing fares to solve that whole "MUNI is poor" problem. Oddly enough, in all the discussions about Poor MUNI, no one seems to want to talk about the fact that as of today, they're collecting maybe 30% of what they're already owed.
Put it another way - this is like someone refusing to pick up 70% of their paychecks, then going to the boss and demanding a raise because they can't pay rent or the grocery bill.
Now, in the real world, how well do you think that would go over?
The SFMTA Board will be holding a hearing on fares on April 1 ! Click on the link and find out how you can get involved!
Comments
What is your source for this 30%/70% figure?
Posted by: Stuart Matthews | March 25, 2008 4:25 PM
It was a back-of-the-cocktail-napkin estimate based on numerous stories about how MUNI and DPT do not come close to simply collecting what they're owed already:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/02/27/MNGP8OBREQ1.DTL
http://www.examiner.com/a-527830~Low_meter_revenue_stumps_S_F__officials.html
Obviously if I spent more time with the numbers it'd be 100% accurate. But the fact is MUNI and the DPT do a terrible job of, well, doing their job collecting the money they should be getting anyway.
And it didn't help that last year supervisors and the Mayor wanted to cut even more money out of MUNI's budget with a fanciful notion about "Free MUNI" that was pretty thoroughly eviscerated when the adults took a look. After the election.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/29/MNFQUNU4C.DTL&hw=MUNI&sn=004&sc=186
Posted by: Greg Dewar
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March 25, 2008 4:41 PM
Thanks for the links!
Posted by: Stuart Matthews | March 25, 2008 4:47 PM
sure no problemo :-)
Also, you can click on the various subject headings on the left and read more about specific topics. This feature will be fixed and made easier to use in the redesign of the site, so you can find more posts, comment on 'em, or whatever, be it on fares or on fun stuff to do on the N line.
Posted by: Greg Dewar
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March 25, 2008 4:49 PM