The New York Times reports that MTA ridership on both subways and buses is up: "Despite a slumping economy, New York City Transit recorded a total of 2.37 billion rides across the city’s subways and buses in 2008, a 3.1 percent increase from 2007 and the highest figure since 1965."
That "despite" beginning the lede sentence makes very little sense. OF COURSE ridership would be up in a weakened economy: PUBLIC transportation should be the most affordable, efficient way to get from one point to another. Who can afford taxis or car insurance and parking? Are we supposed to be walking the length of the island. It should actually read: DESPITE massive service delays and inconveniences, MTA ridership is up. In fact, some people think the subway should be FREE!
But, of course, there are so many plans to CUT service and to CHARGE MORE! It's the most idiotic idea imaginable. So why aren't straphangers protesting in the streets?
There's a feeling that New Yorkers are LUCKY because they have the "best" mass transit in the country. But anyone who has actually traveled to Europe, Japan or other progressive countries with excellent mass transit realizes we have reached a shitty bargain. We pay for erratic service, overcrowded and obsolete trains, dripping and dirty stations and poor management and are told to be happy. More ridership, should mean more money in MTA's coffers, but they've managed to take a surplus and turn it into a deficit (sounds like Bush economics, right?) and yet no one is calling for massive reform. It's time to stop allowing the MTA to tell us we should be grateful for their poor performance and demand mass transit that actually accomodates the people using it. Not the other way around.
CZ-289
