Posted on 01/19/2006 7:50:42 AM PST by SmithL
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he is convinced some cable car conductors are stealing fare money -- and that the Municipal Railway needs to change the way it collects cash to stop the thefts.
Newsom said he believes conductors are skimming fares from cash-paying riders because on three occasions he rode the cable cars and handed over his $5 cash fare but never received the required receipt.
The mayor said that another time he observed a conductor collecting five or six fares on a packed cable car "and didn't give one receipt for any of them." And, he added, "that's just one moment" in time.
"I am convinced, based on my own personal experience, (the money) is not going to Muni, but it's going in the pockets of some of our well-meaning operators," Newsom said.
The mayor made the comments at a budget briefing in his office as part of a larger discussion on the Municipal Railway's continuing budget problems.
He said he doesn't mean to point fingers at all conductors and that the vast majority of times he's ridden a cable car he's been given a receipt.
Interviewed about the mayor's remarks as they waited to start their runs at the Powell and Market turntable Wednesday evening, cable car operators generally declined to speak on the record. Their reactions ranged from eye-rolling to indignation.
"Why would you steal?" asked Mark LaCroix, who has worked as a gripman and conductor on the cable cars for the past seven years. "We make a decent living. Why would anyone jeopardize their job?"
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Huh?
I would think the "well meaning" ones would be giveing a reciept for ALL fares!
$5 cash fare!!! THERE's the outrage. Does it really cost $5 for a cable car ride now? (or did I read that gnorw?)
Umm, it's a combination of two reasons:
1. Greed.
2. Minimal fear of getting caught.
Mental typo. He was thinking of another expression.
The problem is obviously not enough gay marriage.
Yeah caught that.... amazing. It is like those bumper stickers that say... "mean people suck"
I have always wanted to re-write it to say.."mean people, mean well"
Because in the liberal world your actions don't count it is only what you intended to do that matters. That is why you can murder children through abortion but it is okay because you are giving a woman "rights" over her body.
5 Bucks to get 'packed' in with a bunch of 'riders' in a trolley in San Fran?
No thanks.
Yeah, right! A conductor starts off with a fixed number of receipts. He must return the unused ones, and fork over the cash for the receipts he has used. If he doesn't hand a receipt to a rider, the money goes straight into his "good" pocket.
FIVE BUCKS TO RIDE A CABLE CAR????? It had better have a buffet!
Just Rice-a-Roni.
Newsome is a jerk and is prone to grandstand. He still has egg on his face from the police video deal. Investigate a theft don't issue a blanket accusation against all conductors. Better to catch the guys than send them underground.
Ridership is about 90% tourists. Locals walk. ;)
1. Greed.
2. Minimal fear of getting caught.
and
3. A union to guaranteed you wouldn't lose your job without a minimum of 3 years of paid litigation.
Yep it does. Mostly because only the tourists will ride them and it's a huge source of revenue (in the summer the lines are HUGE - me, wouldn't go near 'em!). The "regular folk" take the bus or metro to get to their destinations, except, perhaps, during rush hour, when the California Street car is still your best bet for destinations up Nob Hill.
Dear ol' Gavin has just seriously stepped in it - those Muni drivers have one of the largest and most powerful unions in the City. I think I'll sit back and watch the fun on this one.
Interesting. I guess asking for a receipt would be demeaning.
I haven't been on a cable car in years but IIRC, the $5.00 ticket is good for a period of time as opposed to just one trip.
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