Posted on 12/11/2009 12:11:10 PM PST by mainestategop
Metro link, Southern California's commuter rail for the Greater Los Angeles areas is in tough times in this recession, unfortunately, they are controlled by unionized taxpayer funded liberals. Just like other liberals, they don't learn a damn thing. In every scenario where funding is down and profits are low, they do the worst thing. In this case, raising rates. All while the worst recession in 70 years is taking place.
Metro links problems are largely connected to the economy. With people out of work or earning less, they are not able to afford tickets to commute to LA, San Bernardino county, Antelope Valley, Oxnard, Santa Barbara or other locales of interest. Those who commuted to work are now out of work and cannot even budget to take the train to find work outside their locality, there's little to spend for leisure like going to Hollywood and with fees rising, many will probably turn to using their vehicles. Bad news for Environmental nuts as well.
As the public sector once more fails, the private sector is getting things done right in Subway restaurants. Subway's 5$ footlongs are offering customers with little money something generous at a low cost. for five dollars, customers can buy a spicy Italian, Tuna and more. In this recession, that all adds up. Subway has experienced an uptick in profits. It shows that when costs are lower, customers are more eager to buy.
And the subs are worth the cost. Dense foods that are healthy and worth more and that fill up and keep them satisfied for most of the day. Subway's Veggie De lites are also good.
Not everyone in the private sector though has learned this. McDonald's is scaling back its value menu. Double Cheese Burgers and other goods have seen and increase in costs and with it, a lack of customers. Other establishments such as Burger King and Quiznos have not learned. Still others are making an effort.
Liberals in government however do not have the motives and incentives to reduce their costs and promote quality. Since Metrolink is mainly run by the government, they are not motivated to lower their costs and provide better services. the Metro is also run by Unions. This means that if they aren't paid for doing little they will strike. Another example of government failure. Score one for the private sector and another strike for the public sector.
There was a recent flap about a Boy Scout doing his Eagle project that raised objections from the president of a SIEU local who thought that his volunteer efforts should have been blocked and the union members re-hired to do the work. Seems that some at least think that public services exist to provide employment for their members, not to provide the best services possible at the lowest possible price.
There is about a $5 difference between SB and LA vs. Boston to Providence: $20 weekday roundtrip vs. $15. The distances are very comparable around 60 miles. Not sure if it is costs or the MBTA receives moe subsidies.
That's the problem. The SEIU and these other bolsheviks are only using the public sector to rob the taxpayers and do little or no work. Im not surprised, these are the same nazis that attacked an african american in St Louis for daring to speak out against their leader.
It costs the citizen of my fair city $1.50 to ride the city bus system, for which I work. The bus system is 90% subsidized by taxation at city, state, and federal levels (part of your tax money, wherever you are, pays my salary, fuel for our buses etc.). If that subsidy went away, simple math tells you our city-zens would have to cough up $15.00 a trip. Might as well take a cab, for that. My own 12-mile commute costs me (today) two dollars a day in fuel costs; if there was a convenient bus stop and if I didn’t get free passage as an employee, it would still be worth it to drive the car.
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