One of the arguments that has come up during the fare review by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) has been "Why not raise fares only to $1.75 rather than $2?" HRT could largely tread water for two years doing that, but would face the same wall in 2012. I say "largely" since two areas that would suffer at $1.75 are vehicle replacement and preventive maintenance. Late this past week, there was a glimpse at how serious both are getting.
On Thursday afternoon so many buses were at the Southside garage needing repair that MAX buses were being sent out for mainline service. I myself saw a MAX bus on Route 20 duty at the Cedar Grove Transfer Center; two Operators have since told me of others.
Going to work Saturday morning meant having to board a Gillig Phantom through the rear exit-only door. The front door had broken en route, forcing passengers through the rear. (Even for a HRT regular like me, I hadn't done that before and the maneuver was awkward.) Fortunately, a mechanic had been dispatched to Pembroke East to meet the bus there and repair the door.
Bus passengers face a simple choice: pay a $2 fare, or ride old buses with substandard maintenance.
10 comments:
the comment section is broken on the TDCHR post. you can't see the word verification.
I can.
I assume you are referring to the full one-way adult fare. Why not address the remainder of the perks like Go passes, reduced senior/disabled fares? A ride is a ride regardless of an individual circumstances.
I see Wally hasn't read the entire Fare Review and picks & chooses what he wants to read.
Wally, I Binged this: http://www.gohrt.com/public-notice-hampton-roads-transit-hrt-proposed-fare-change
It INCLUDES raises in farecard prices
I'm not even from the area and I can do that. Amazing!!
Jessica:
I'm aware of the proposal. But AA only addressed the one-way adult fare from 1.75 to 2.00. What about the rest? As per the proposal.
Thanks for the pick and choose remark. That was polite.
Wally,
The cash fare is "the straw that stirs the drink." For the most part, the other changes are proportional to it.
Why are we even wasting our time talking $1.75 then?
Anon 8:33,
The ongoing fare review began this Spring by looking at $1.65 and $1.75 scenarios. In looking at $1.75, it was realized how even that falls short.
The $1.75 stays on the table to help make the case for why a 50 cent increase is necessary.
That's fair (and I'd be very willing to pay $2 for real bus service)
Henry, you promised a Route 36 discussion. Looks like Ideas for HRT beat you to the punch, but hey, I got what I wanted: easy 20 --> 36 transfers (even if the 20 is late), so I'm a happy Coward :)
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