Dave
Pittsburgh,#2Consumer Suggestion
Mon, February 02, 2004
As an employee of another public transit agency in another state, I can sympathize with your problem. But your transit company isn't totally to blame. Federal funding has been cut,and bus companies just can't afford to run service. A new transit bus costs approximately $300,000, fuel around $1.65 a gallon, tires around $300 a piece. That doesn't include insurance, maintenance or the costs to pay someone to drive the bus or to repair the bus when it breaks. As you can see, it takes alot of people paying $1.50 a ride to pay for that bus. My suggestion is that you contact your state lawmakers, and your governor, and urge them to come up with dedicated funding for mass transit. Believe it or not, they will listen! Especially to senior citizens groups and disabled advocacy groups. Good luck!