tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576993731992352882.post837757262867371712..comments2024-03-04T03:21:18.316-05:00Comments on Eye On Tampa Bay: The Four Forty Four - Much more than just a bus routeEyeOn TampaBayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11804489795079963473noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576993731992352882.post-65626774607385730022015-08-28T11:04:20.338-04:002015-08-28T11:04:20.338-04:00Public transit is simply another welfare/redistrib...Public transit is simply another welfare/redistribution scheme. We all know that those who need financial assistance have access to many taxpayer paid programs through local, state and federal redistributors. There are currently about 180 means-tested welfare programs including food, housing, medical care and education. These programs cost taxpayers about $1 Trillion a year and do not include most of the costs of public transit.<br />Public transit in low density/low ridership areas such as Pinellas County is one of the least efficient welfare programs. Figure out the capital and operating costs of moving 20 riders a day on a bus - any bus (although most PSTA buses are capable of accommodating 50+ riders, the average occupancy is 8 riders).<br />"Route 444 averages 41 riders a day. Board member Mark Deighton pointed out that at a cost of $363,000 a year, the PSTA is spending about $8,840 for each rider."<br />I suspect this is only the operating cost and does not include the amortized capital costs.<br />http://www.suncoastnews.com/su/list/news-suncoast-pinellas/psta-cuts-east-lake-collector-second-route-to-pay-for-buses-20150827/<br /><br />I suspect those 41 riders are actually 20 riders taking round trips because transit agencies count boardings, not unique riders. If so, that brings the cost/actual rider to $18,150/year. Whether it is $8.840 or $18,150, it is too much and it reflects the inept management of PSTA by politicians and incompetent management personnel.<br />Anyone with a SNAP card could be given a PSTA debit card good for two rides a day using Uber or a taxi (with restrictions of course). That alone would save taxpayers from the insanity of paying $363,000 per year for such low utilization of assets we pay for.<br /><br />Very few people choose to utilize public transit because it is more convenient,<br />more cost effective or the best way for them to get to their destination. This<br />is especially true with PSTA and likely true in almost any other county of <br />similar size in the US.<br /><br />Some people ride PSTA buses because they cannot afford private transportation and they should be given some sort of consideration such as reduced fares, discounts for<br />weekly and monthly passes on a means tested basis (i.e. those who qualify for SNAP <br />benefits might qualify for such fares). The minimum fare should be no less than 25% <br />of operating costs. Free rides should be made available on a very limited basis and only offered to those who can prove the need for financial assistance.<br /><br />Those who do not qualify for financial assistance and choose to ride PSTA should be <br />required to pay at least 50% of operating costs with no discounts for passes. Taxpayers pay for 100% of capital costs and should not have to pay any more than 50% of operating costs to subsidize those who do not meet the requirements for financial assistance.<br /><br />Those of us who do not use public transit (98% of Pinellas residents) are paying too much for too little. Our local, state and federal taxes support public transit. We do not object to helping people in need, we are very opposed to seeing our tax dollars wasted every day.<br /><br />Try that formula and see what kind of ridership you end up with. You will obviously lose those who are simply looking for an almost free ride, mostly paid for by taxpayers who do not utilize public transit (98% of Pinellas residents). In fact, the same goes for the entire country - less than 2% utilize public transit and ridership would be even lower if fares were based on financial need.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08363524132988906916noreply@blogger.com