Thursday, April 12, 2007
MTA Still Require Riders to Carry Own Change
Does the MTA not realize that it can be a real hassle for people to try to break bills in advance each time prior to riding a bus? Do they not know that there are no coin machines except inside laundromats and that they require you to be a customer before using them? Don't they already know that most businesses are not fond of breaking peoples dollar bills unless they purchase something, and that bus riders are not fond of purchasing something every time they need change for the bus?
Just wondering why this insistence on placing such a burden on riders. There are many bus systems in the world that carry change on the buses. Perhaps it's an issue of safety for the MTA. Ok, but there's got to be some alternative to the current mess. The current mess is completely unreliable, in that unless you manage to find change you may not be able to ride the bus. You can ask the driver for mercy, but if they're sour or cranky types, or simply in a bad mood, they might refuse to let you on on anything less than full fare, which means you'll have to wait for the next bus, which can wreak havoc in a person's schedule.
Wouldn't it be a good time to implement some newer system--perhaps electronic bus cards-- on the newer buses, like on the new Metro Rapid ones? Or, likely the MTA doesn't consider the current mess to be a big deal. Typically, only their customers do. If it was a good idea, it'd probably have happened already.
But the moral is that you're forced to beg for change everytime you need ride the bus, and don't find a daypass or busspass feasible. And in cases where you can't obtain coins without making a purchase, you're forced to spend more money as well. Add to that that the cheapest items cost typically at least 50 cents. That ends up as paying the fare plus 50 cents plus the extra effort.
The alternative is to keep a jar of quarters at home and keep it sufficiently loaded at all times. In a way, this is laughable, but it's the reality.
Just wondering why this insistence on placing such a burden on riders. There are many bus systems in the world that carry change on the buses. Perhaps it's an issue of safety for the MTA. Ok, but there's got to be some alternative to the current mess. The current mess is completely unreliable, in that unless you manage to find change you may not be able to ride the bus. You can ask the driver for mercy, but if they're sour or cranky types, or simply in a bad mood, they might refuse to let you on on anything less than full fare, which means you'll have to wait for the next bus, which can wreak havoc in a person's schedule.
Wouldn't it be a good time to implement some newer system--perhaps electronic bus cards-- on the newer buses, like on the new Metro Rapid ones? Or, likely the MTA doesn't consider the current mess to be a big deal. Typically, only their customers do. If it was a good idea, it'd probably have happened already.
But the moral is that you're forced to beg for change everytime you need ride the bus, and don't find a daypass or busspass feasible. And in cases where you can't obtain coins without making a purchase, you're forced to spend more money as well. Add to that that the cheapest items cost typically at least 50 cents. That ends up as paying the fare plus 50 cents plus the extra effort.
The alternative is to keep a jar of quarters at home and keep it sufficiently loaded at all times. In a way, this is laughable, but it's the reality.
Labels: bus, los angeles, mta, public transportation
Comments:
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George Santayanna, in 1905, wrote that "those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Here is some remembering the past fpr you: It was October 12, 1969 when RTD drivers stopped making change, a result of drivers being held up for the change they carried.
Do you think armed robbery is less of a threat nearly four decades later?
In any event, I doubt that your ranting on your blog will undo a policy after all these years.
Here is some remembering the past fpr you: It was October 12, 1969 when RTD drivers stopped making change, a result of drivers being held up for the change they carried.
Do you think armed robbery is less of a threat nearly four decades later?
In any event, I doubt that your ranting on your blog will undo a policy after all these years.
# posted by 
: 2:27 PM
: 2:27 PM
Hey, isn't Metro supposed to be developing some electronic pass that works by tapping it on the farebox?
And I don't know of any bus systems that still make change, either.
And I don't know of any bus systems that still make change, either.
# posted by : 2:29 PM
: 2:29 PM
A new electronic system would do. Requiring passengers to carry their own change creates a hassle for many passengers.
They should just have electronic kiosks at all the stops that accept bills and coins and you buy your "ticket" for the day and get on the bus. No wasting other people's time and delaying the bus by fumbling with change or arguing with drivers. Just pay while you wait (or get a monthly pass) and get on.
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# posted by : 9:43 AM
: 9:43 AM << Home
