I can't attend this meeting because it's my family night, but I have these comments: 1. The proposed fare hikes are for July 2009, not sooner. That's not imminent. The price of parking and the price of parking violations will rise sooner than fares. And single ride fares will not rise one penny. Really low-income folks who cannot afford the full cost of a monthly pass and therefore pay the single ride fare will be affected by this increase only by experiencing better service. Other really low- income folks who scrape together $45 will benefit from an expanded low- income fast pass discount which is part of the deal with the MTA. At $55, the monthly pass will be ... ... an appropriate amount relative to the single ride fare (about 37 times -- which is the discount for a monthly pass that is unlikely to cause people to switch to paying the single ride fare and thereby slow the system down and discourage ridership). ... a great deal cheaper than most comparable transit systems (NYC=81, AC Transit = 70 or 116, LA=75, for examples), and ... at the high end of its historical price in constant dollars (see the attached chart), but less than its peak of $54.09 in 2007 dollars (which is at least $57 in 2009 dollars). Local, urban transit should be free, but paid for by taxing the rich. Until we figure that out, appropriate fare increases to provide the funding necessary to provide reliable transit service should be supported, especially when those fare increases are not likely to discourage ridership and come after increases to car costs. I would respect a principled decision by the SFGP to oppose any and all fare increases, including "reasonable" ones, but I strongly believe this is a reasonable fare increase and should be supported. 2. I don't have much to say in writing about the mayor's proposed ballot measure. I'm happy to talk with anyone personally about it. I will say this: the SFCTA is one of the best functioning agencies in the city. And, I'll forward separately an email I wrote much earlier about the two agencies, for your edification. Have fun! Dave On Jun 24, 2008, at 7:27 AM, Eric Brooks wrote:
Hi all,
VERY important stuff is happening on transportation, utilities and energy in San Francisco, and we really need to meet.
This Thursday June 26, 6:30pm, SFGP Office
Proposed Agenda
1) Imminent Muni Fare Hikes 2) Mayor's Ballot Measure Removing Board of Supes Oversight Of Transit 3) Nov Ballot Measure For 100% Green Public Power! 4) PREPARING FOR AUGUST APPOINTMENTS TO THE SFPUC 5) Peak Oil Report? (Jeanne) 6) Water Report? (Mato Ska) 7) Quick Update On Community Choice & Power Plants
-- "I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves." – Che Guevara
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