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Re: SMART exceeding projected ridership Not so Fast
Author: synonymouse
Date: 09-23-2017 - 21:17
SMART can cut costs by going to one-man operation, which is of course what should have been clear from the outset. A GGT MCI coach has only one operator.
The telling figure will be the subsidy in dollars per passenger trip. It will help to create some notion of a cost/benefit ratio. And how many revenue trips can you get out of one operator's work day.
The notion of a Northbay only commute hours only operation using expensive trains just does not pencil out. GGT used to try to deal with commute service costs with chartered club buses; what do your union drivers do between morning and evening peak more than 8 hours apart? SMART will have to evolve into a true rapid transit line, essentially replacing GGT's trunk #101 run. Extending into southern Marin to Marin City will up the patronage figures, but the mode will have to change to electric light rail.
The telling figure will be the subsidy in dollars per passenger trip. It will help to create some notion of a cost/benefit ratio. And how many revenue trips can you get out of one operator's work day.
The notion of a Northbay only commute hours only operation using expensive trains just does not pencil out. GGT used to try to deal with commute service costs with chartered club buses; what do your union drivers do between morning and evening peak more than 8 hours apart? SMART will have to evolve into a true rapid transit line, essentially replacing GGT's trunk #101 run. Extending into southern Marin to Marin City will up the patronage figures, but the mode will have to change to electric light rail.
