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Re: SMART pay vs. housing cost
Author: Erik H.
Date: 07-26-2016 - 18:14
Margaret (SP fan) Wrote:
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> I don't see how SMART can ever succeed financially, because their trains do not go where most
> people need to go -- San Francisco, and SMART is assuming that many people will ride, even
> though that will force most people to transfer to a ferry (or a bus?).
> But SMART is completely ignoring a basic axiom of transportation planning that people hate to
> have to transfer from one transit vehicle to another. So, SMART Board -- don't make your
> passengers do that, or you won't have many passengers at all.
Oh, come on! WES (TriMet's commuter rail system from Beaverton to Wilsonville, Oregon) works! Their slogan even says so - WES Works!
Of course, ridership has YET to meet its "first year" goal of 2,500 riders a day, and ridership is actually dropping. The cost per ride is equal to SEVEN bus riders. And, the bottom line is WES does not go to any residential or employment centers. So you must drive or take a bus at BOTH ends of your trip...thus, the low ridership.
At least SMART seems to serve communities along the route, although at a very high cost compared to the Golden Gate Transportation District buses that will speed along 101 and provide a direct stop in S.F. proper. As it doesn't appear those buses are going anywhere you'll just have two publicly funded transit systems compete with each other. Which is never a good use of taxpayer funds.
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> I don't see how SMART can ever succeed financially, because their trains do not go where most
> people need to go -- San Francisco, and SMART is assuming that many people will ride, even
> though that will force most people to transfer to a ferry (or a bus?).
> But SMART is completely ignoring a basic axiom of transportation planning that people hate to
> have to transfer from one transit vehicle to another. So, SMART Board -- don't make your
> passengers do that, or you won't have many passengers at all.
Oh, come on! WES (TriMet's commuter rail system from Beaverton to Wilsonville, Oregon) works! Their slogan even says so - WES Works!
Of course, ridership has YET to meet its "first year" goal of 2,500 riders a day, and ridership is actually dropping. The cost per ride is equal to SEVEN bus riders. And, the bottom line is WES does not go to any residential or employment centers. So you must drive or take a bus at BOTH ends of your trip...thus, the low ridership.
At least SMART seems to serve communities along the route, although at a very high cost compared to the Golden Gate Transportation District buses that will speed along 101 and provide a direct stop in S.F. proper. As it doesn't appear those buses are going anywhere you'll just have two publicly funded transit systems compete with each other. Which is never a good use of taxpayer funds.
