S.F. MAYOR: CABLE CAR FARE THEFTS - He thinks some conductors are pocketing cash from riders

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 1/19/6 | Rachel Gordon

[SmithL]

Tipping your public servants?

[2banana]

"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.

Huh?

[southernerwithanattitude]

I would think the "well meaning" ones would be giveing a reciept for ALL fares!

[Blueflag]

$5 cash fare!!! THERE's the outrage. Does it really cost $5 for a cable car ride now? (or did I read that gnorw?)

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

"We make a decent living. Why would anyone jeopardize their job?"

Umm, it's a combination of two reasons:

1. Greed.
2. Minimal fear of getting caught.

[proxy_user]

Mental typo. He was thinking of another expression.

[atomicpossum]

The problem is obviously not enough gay marriage.

[Walkingfeather]

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.

[digger48]

5 Bucks to get 'packed' in with a bunch of 'riders' in a trolley in San Fran?


No thanks.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

rwin Lum, president of Transport Workers Union Local 250-A, which represents Muni operators, said failure to provide a receipt isn't proof of theft...

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.

[MarineBrat]

FIVE BUCKS TO RIDE A CABLE CAR????? It had better have a buffet!

[SmithL]

It had better have a buffet!

Just Rice-a-Roni.

[RGSpincich]

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.

[Mr. Jeeves]

5 Bucks to get 'packed' in with a bunch of 'riders' in a trolley in San Fran?

Ridership is about 90% tourists. Locals walk. ;)

[George from New England]

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.

[Right Cal Gal]

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.

[Niteranger68]

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.

Interesting. I guess asking for a receipt would be demeaning.

[pbear8]

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.

[ElTianti]

Ridership is about 90% tourists. Locals walk. ;)

That’s a fact. The cable cars are just slightly faster walking.

[martinidon]

Let me add a third to your list.
3. Union "entitlement" mentality!