Since Metro is convinced "the sky is falling", why not eliminate the "Ride Free" zone in downtown Seattle? This is not any type of fare or fee increase that would have to be voted upon, it's just a restructuring of the existing fee schedule.

I can already hear the social advocates... "this type of plan is inherently unfair to those who are less fortunate. The removal of the ride free zone will prevent able-bodied people from getting to jobs or job interviews and will create an enormous hardship on those who rely on Seattle's public transportation system..blah..blah..blah.."

But... it will probably generate enough revenue in one year to more than make up for any shortfalls that might occur with the budgetary restructuring from the passage of I-695. It also forces more of the ridership to pay its share of the operating expenses.

I know there are many out there who would be happy to see subsidized public transit eliminated completely. Face the reality... it's not going to happen. Not in our lifetime or the lifetime of our children or grandchildren. But, it can be run more efficiently and with less subsidy, while still providing the services the riders want/need.

-- just a guy (torijosh@yahoo.com), November 04, 1999

Answers

Never say never, look at the US post office. I'd love to see metro on its own. This would elimimate the extra BS routes at BS times. Let's face it Metro is a HUDGE failure, shit can it and start over with something that has to be accountable.

-- ERAmerican (william.reagor@guidant.com), November 04, 1999.

PRIVATIZE IT! If it doesn't work, or if it can't do the job efficiently, it goes out of business. It's economic Darwinism time.

-- zowie (zowie@hotmail.com), November 04, 1999.

You're thinking along the right lines. Let me help.

You wouldn't have to elminate the Ride Free Area *or* cut back on service if you simply made all fares $1.75, regardless of time or length of trip. You could do this at any time without violating 695, as it's not a fare increase. If Metro acts quickly [not likely], they could raise fares to $2 across the board to make the payment more simple. They should also offer a day pass for $4, $2 on weekends. This wouldn't be covered by I-695, either, because it's a new service. Monthly passes should be about $70, annual about $700. Businesses should be able to buy annual passes in lots of 10 for, say, $2000, to encourage employee ridership.

The purpose of the Ride Free Area is *not* to give riders a freebie, but rather to keep the buses moving closer to schedule. Imagine having to wait for 35 people to drop $1.25 [or $1.75/$2.00] into the box during rush hour.....

I've mentioned it before, but there are also several "alternate" funding mechanisms for Metro:

* Refusal to pay proper fare: $5,000 fine * HOV lane occupancy violation: $5,000 fine * Parking in a bus zone: $5,000 fine * Failure to yield to a bus: $5,000 fine

All fines, of course, go right into Metro's budget. If you can't pay the fine, then Metro gets to liquidate your car. This will increase ridership and reduce the load on our freeways! :-)

Remember, fines are not covered by I-695, therefore fines should be increased 10-fold. 100-fold, even. The citizens do not want taxes, so therefore, we should have the scofflaws fund our services.

Ron Sims and just about everyone else in King County government are not just jerks, but they are also stupid. Anyone with an ounce of creativity could make I-695 work with a minimum of pain.

-- Chuck Kincy (ckincy@aa.net), November 04, 1999.

THE RIDE FREE ZONE IS PAYED FOR PARTIALY BY THE DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS AND AS FOR THE FARE HALF OF THE PASENGERS REFUSE TO PAY KNOW HOW DO YOU TJINK AN INCREASE WILL HELP?

-- MIKE (NOEMAIL@YAHOO.COM), November 10, 1999.

Mike,

If half the passengers refuse to pay the fare, then they should not be allowed on the bus.

If I refuse to pay the admission at a movie theater, am I going to be allowed in to watch the movie? I think not.

I'm sick and tired of paying the way for people "less fortunate than me."

I'm widowed, with two children. I manage to make my way, and so should everyone else.

The world does NOT owe me anything.

-- Diane (SSSTANG@aol.com), November 10, 1999.

Mike, That portion NOT paid for by the Downtown Merchants should be paid for by Taxpayers? Give me a break. If collecting fares downtown during rush hour is too difficult, use a prepurchased pass system to reduce waiting times. People refuse to pay? No pay, no ride. Period. No exceptions. If the Driver must radio in and hold up a route until assistance arrives, so be it. I'm sure peer pressure (read angry mob of passengers) will take care of the problem, fast.

-- Marsha Schaefer (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), November 10, 1999.