Metro gets an F-
Laurence Simon had quite a Friday night, thanks to Metro. It included walking 4.5 miles!
Do you suppose George DeMontrond, Frank Wilson, David Wolff or Mayor White have ever used Metro's services?
Privatize Metro!
KEVIN WHITED ADDS: But how can this be? Just a few days ago, the Chronicle Editorial LiveJournalists wrote:
It was important for Metro to register increased ridership at this moment. If the transit agency can't furnish an attractive alternative to single-passenger commuting in an era of spiking fuel costs and an influx of hurricane evacuees needing transportation, the agency cannot be relied upon to play a decisive role in increasing Houstonians' mobility while reducing congestion and pollution.
Perhaps as important as the ridership gain, Metro has been able to keep its budget static, matching higher fuel costs with increased efficiency. High fuel prices are a mixed curse for Metro. While its operating costs go up, so does the number of riders, who help to defray the cost.
In order to build on its momentum, Metro is moving ahead on five rail line expansions, some of which initially will accommodate rubber-tired vehicles. It is looking to churches and other private venues to help it swiftly expand Park and Ride service. It is becoming partners with retail outlets and other private businesses to enhance the transit experience, encourage a healthier, pedestrian lifestyle and thus further increase ridership. As service improves and energy costs remain high, Houstonians owe it to themselves to give public transit a try.
It is difficult to imagine people more out of touch with Houston and Houstonians than the Editorial LiveJournalists who wrote that.
Indeed, we can recall the petulant outburst from James Howard Gibbons when the editorial page's Chief LiveJournalist was inconvenienced by the sort of ineptitude that normal Houstonians who aren't in charge of an editorial page simply have to deal with.
Can you imagine the hissyfit Mr. Gibbons would have thrown if he had to walk 4.5 miles due to METRO's increased efficiency?!
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 12/24/05 09:08 AM | Houston Transit | Technorati | Sphere | Comments (6)
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