In this weak economy, mass transit systems across the country are in a tough position. On the one hand, more people are using mass transit because they can no longer afford their cars. On the other hand, state and local revenue streams for mass transit are shrinking as people start saving and stop spending. This force is what RTD general manager Cal Marsella described in a recent New York Times article as the "Rider paradox,"and it has become a major problem to our nation's public transportation systems.
So while RTD announced massive transit cuts on the heel of a 14 percent fare increase, other transit agencies across the nation are doing the exact same thing. Just check out this map from the Transportation for America organization. More than 50 other transit agencies are increasing fares, decreasing service, laying off workers, or a combination of those three. St. Louis is cutting its bus transit in half after voters in November rejected a sales tax increase to fund transit. And those that were holding out hope that some of the money from the massive stimulus bill being debated in Washington could go to the operating costs of transit agencies are looking to be disappointed as Republicans gathered just enough votes to prevent an amendment that would add $24 billion for infrastructure projects including mass transit.
So what can we do in Denver? While there is little we can do to combat the economic forces at work, we can let RTD know what its transit cuts are going to do to its riders and try to figure out ways RTD can save money without such massive cuts. When I went to the September RTD meeting on the fare increase, I was one of only about a dozen or so riders in attendance. If you cannot attend a meeting, call, e-mail or write RTD to voice your concerns with the contacts on the side bar of this blog. There is still a chance to share your opinion before RTD makes its decision on cutting service.
Here is the list of the remaining public meetings. I'll be at the one on Friday at RTD's main offices, but please attend whichever is more convenient for you.
Arvada
Arvada City Hall
8100 Ralston Road
Ann Campbell Room
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 7:00 p.m.
Aurora
Red Lion (formerly Radisson Hotel)
3200 S. Parker Road
Boulder/Parker Room
Friday, Feb. 6, 7:00 p.m.
Boulder
Boulder Senior Center
West Senior Complex
909 Arapahoe, Creekside Room
Friday, Feb. 6, 7:00 p.m.
Brighton
Brighton Recreation Center
555 N. 11th Avenue
Thursday, Feb. 5, 7:00 p.m.
Conifer
Conifer High School
10441 County Highway 73
Thursday, Feb. 5, 7:00 p.m
Downtown Denver
RTD Administration Building
1600 Blake Street
Rooms T & D
Friday, Feb. 6, 6:00 p.m.
Green Valley Ranch
Green Valley Ranch Recreation Center
4890 Argonne Way
Thursday, Feb. 5, 6:00 p.m.
Lakewood
Stein Elementary
80 South Teller Street
Friday, Feb. 6, 7:00 p.m.
Parker
Parker Town Hall
20120 E. Mainstreet
Council Chambers
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 7:00 p.m
1 comment:
It's important to note that not all St. Louis voters had a say in the November ballot issue. It was a (wealthier) St. Louis County measure for a minuscule sales tax increase. Unfortunately, much of STL County is ignorant and racist and feel that public transit only increases crime in their perfect white suburbs (I know first hand, I used to live there. That is the most common argument against Bi-State I heard). They will have another thing coming when all those poor people from the city can no longer make it to Chesterfield to clean their floors, keep security over their parking lots and aid in their health and elderly care (among many other incredibly important jobs that keep a society, white-privileged or not, going).
So, Denver, it could definitely be worse!
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