tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827693385416759170.post3220104631850129464..comments2023-10-25T05:03:57.933-04:00Comments on PGH is a City: All Hail Lenznerillyriashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07729280972013286906noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827693385416759170.post-22595296206993587352011-04-04T08:47:58.514-04:002011-04-04T08:47:58.514-04:00Sadly, the real cost of the average ride as a pass...Sadly, the real cost of the average ride as a passenger on the Port Authority via bus, T, and/or incline averages out to $4.73. This assumes each and every person pays this amount for each and every ride. ($317.4 million in expenses to serve 67 million trips.)<br /><br />I'd say that Lenzner's cost of $5 is not far off the mark of realistic costs to provide this service, especially considering that is one of the longer commuter routes - certainly longer than the average route.<br /><br />Lets face it - the real costs of transit is high. Those with cars have registration, maintenance, insurance, fuel, parking, and vehicle costs - all of which add up to a pretty penny - ultimately much more than the $10/day that Lenzner is asking for.<br /><br />I fail to see why the Port Authority refuses to charge rates that reflect their actual costs for (most) riders. It would be possible to use the state and local 'donations' to the Port Authority ONLY for fare subsidization of the proven destitute.Steven Bonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16752950454936948886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-827693385416759170.post-88629182282318938452011-03-17T20:27:24.919-04:002011-03-17T20:27:24.919-04:00excellent post (as always). Lenzner's actions ...excellent post (as always). Lenzner's actions (while helpful, commendable, etc) shows the limitations of leaving public needs to "the Market". No senior/ student/ disability deals, no weekend service, you have to buy a month's worth of trips to step on the bus once.<br /><br />That does help the middle-class people who'd rather not drive. It doesn't do anything for the struggling / unemployed / welfare folks who need a bus to get to a doctor/ part-time job.<br /><br />The Market lets a business take the profitable parts of the opportunity and leave the Great Unwashed behind. I get that, it's what the Market does.<br /><br />We want those folks to be able to ride the bus to get to the job / doctor/ school.<br /><br />I'm disappointed in government abandoning the unwashed to market forces - which will cost taxpayers more in the long run.Vannevarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08513110035186346571noreply@blogger.com