Saturday, March 6, 2010

Asheville Looks at Slashing Bus Wait Times

http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20100306/NEWS01/303060022

Here's a link to the Citizen-Times story. This is good news. It would cut wait times on the main roads from an hour to 30 minutes. Actually I have been kind of spoiled on Haywood Rd. because there are two lines that serve it and I could get them about 30 minutes apart. Even this small improvement will cost money though, so the city has to find a way to come up with the cash. Increasing costs for passes is one way. A car tax is another. I'm sure the out-of-town consulting firm that they hired to do the studying for the Transit Master plan had some ideas. Seems like one that one of the consultants talked to me about involved license plate fees. How about some cash from the new building downtown...the nice boutique hotel should have chipped in...all the condos should help out.

The article points out that ridership is up. But I'd like the city to come up with more creative ideas for increasing ridership even more. Only when there is a huge public demand for decent bus service will we ever get it. (Particularly a middle class demand I think). And we need the city to make a commitment to it. A shorter wait might help. But it's going to have to get to the point where riding the bus is convenient before most people are going to try it.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I can't wait to see the new fare boxes; I hope the passes are refillable like MTA, BART, SFMTA. I personally feel that bulk purchases should be encouraged with the increase being on per ride purchases (the parking decks should work the same way). I like it would be acceptable to charge a higher fare for expanded hours, and if you compare the cost of cab ride paying $3 or even $5 a ride to leave downtown around midnight is a steal.

Lynn said...

Yes, convenience is the key for most middle class folks who are so used to making their own schedules and going wherever they want when they want. Time is a precious commodity so saving it is important.