Be Careful What You Wish For
Posted by Fred Jandt
Editor, Mass Transit magazine
For years transit has been looking for that reason to get people out of their cars and onboard its buses and trains — now the rising gas prices may just have done that. Of course, this could turn out to be more of a curse than a blessing.
Already I’m hearing complaints about overcrowding on buses and trains, fare increases and lack of infrastructure to handle the upturn in ridership.
OK, the first two are perennial complaints — they are never going away. There are probably as many people who complain about a crowded bus or train as there are those who complain when a bus or train is empty. Evidently the only way a vehicle can run is about half-full.
As for fare increases, well, anytime you ask someone for more money they are going to complain. So fare increases will be complained about even if the reasons are completely logical and clearly explained.
Now the infrastructure complaint is an interesting one. So transit is tragically underfunded for years (decades, even) with the excuse that we’re a “car culture” and people just aren’t using it, and when people are making the switch and using transit the argument changes to transit’s inability to handle ridership increases?
This “See I told you so!” logic is prevalent on cable news programs and talk radio. It’s bolstered by misrepresentation of facts and a lot of shortsightedness. And transit isn’t immune — is anything really. The only thing one can do to overcome these finger pointers is to beat them over the head with the facts.
Transit works. But transit requires an investment without looking for an immediate return. That’s probably what is difficult to understand for so many of the complainers out there…if you starve transit for decades, do you really expect it to grow overnight with one good meal?
Thanks for reading the MT Position updated every Friday,
June 13th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Please explain why increased demand requires more funding when mass transit vehicles have been running at much less than full capacity for years. Except for fuel, operating costs have not increased. When increased consumer demand fills all the empty seats and incremental revenues still do not cover high fuel costs, then, and only then, is it legitimate to talk about additional government subsidies for operating expenses or for the purchase of additional vehicles.
June 13th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
…….and, Fred, to make infrastructure happen, transit needs grass roots lobbying to give credible arguments to policymakers that transit doesn’t cost, it pays.
Hope flood waters aren’t affecting you guys too badly.
June 13th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Dear Fred,
Thanks for your candid views.
Overall I agree with your points. I also want to add that in times of scarcity, we in the industry have become more creative in seeking alternative funding sources (parcel taxes, bridge tolls), investment in technology in terms of WiFi, AVL, and APC’s to create efficiencies, and initiate new transit concepts such as BRT, employer shuttles and flexible service.
Since the recent spike of fuel prices, our regional commuter service ridership has seen an increase of 16%. Although capacity issues may emerge, I feel we are in a better position to manage thanks to our creativity during the lean years.
The big challenge is to convert new riders into long term transit advocates.
Tony Divito
AC Transit
June 13th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Right on. To think that after cutting service and routes for years that transit agency would now all of a sudden be able to grow is ridiculous. It is just like the American car manufactures who didn’t plan ahead are a shutting down SUV plants all over the place.. Yes (hopefully) they will eventually change but there is definitely going to be a lag time… over many many years.
June 13th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
An emphatic AMEN, Bro, to Sloan!
The annual “Cap to Cap” trips to DC to tweak legislators is sort of a boondoggle if transit supporters and officials too, are not feeding info through the year.
What is truly astounding, 35 years after OPEC started, two Gulf Wars, arabs demolishing tall buildings, the timidity of alternative transport execs and supporters regarding what’s happening. And flat unexcuseable ignorance! Walk up to a public transit official or a transportation commission member and ask them for their understanding of Peaking Oil?
How about familiarity with energy websites like “Culturechange”; “LATOC”; “Postcarbon.org”;
“theoildrum.com”; or “peakoil.net”? What about you, Mr. Fred?
Riding the Peak Oil plateau is fits & starts, price creeping higher, recessionary pullbacks, build ups until the inability to grow liquids energy production actually is unable to be absorbed by the world economy. Stifled growth will be a new phenomenon, we are only getting a glimpse now. Noise about massive drilling runs up agaist rig shortages, for starters. We have about a decade of unmatched output verus putative demand in front…
This situation needs absolute attention by all hands to lay on information to the leadership and candidates for leadership. And, in the mirror, can you guys in the Transit Agencies talk about Peaking Oil without fear? If you can, you are not in full understanding of Peaking Oil.. Get the Robert L Hirsch Report, if you are fearless.
Gunnar Henrioulle, (peakoil.net) article 1037