Muni Diaries’ recap of town hall meetings
The always useful Muni Diaries posted a detailed recap of the recent town hall meetings on the budget deficit. Well worth a read.
Note that the next public meeting is the MTA Board on February 16.
Update: The Appeal reports that the meeting has been postponed until February 26.
As a senior I do enjoy my $15 fast pass. It is almost like riding the MUNI for free. I would rather pay $15 than $30. However, I am not sure that discount pass for seniors and disabled is justified.
There are poor people who are 65+. But there are also poor people who are 25. Seniors are the second wealthiest age group. The age group with the highest income is the group just prior to retirement age. Also being disabled does not mean you are poor.
If a discount pass is necessary or desirable, maybe it should be based on individual income, not age or other group status.
The wealthy seniors certainly aren’t the ones who go to the meetings. Senior organizations are very good at turning out members who are more likely to be affected by the changes.
Those senior organizations can become agents to issue discount passes to low-income seniors. Organizations for disabled can provide passes for low-income disabled, and public schools can issue pasess to youth. Everyone else should pay the market rate.
Rescue Muni’s efforts to keep fares low may not be a good strategy to improve Muni. Muni is stigmatized as transportation for the poor to be avoided by the middle class. Media accounts of violence on Muni do not help either. Make Muni safe, clean, fast, and comfortable and it will be used by all segments of society and they will pay higher fares.
[…] strong opposition by riders in recent public hearings, the MTA Board is planning to vote on proposed service cuts and fare increases to balance this […]