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
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
How to File a Complaint Against the MTA
Outlined are steps for filing a complaint against the MTA, or "Metro".
Whomever needs to file a complaint against the MTA for whatever wacko behavior or circumstances encountered, look no further, simply follow these steps in order to report the incident; quote:
When you complain, give as much details as possible. This betters your case. And you should report everything you see, as complaints are a public record.
Information originally, and generously provided by commenter Wad in a comments section earlier on this blog.
Whomever needs to file a complaint against the MTA for whatever wacko behavior or circumstances encountered, look no further, simply follow these steps in order to report the incident; quote:
When you complain, give as much details as possible. This betters your case. And you should report everything you see, as complaints are a public record.
Here's what you should provide when you complain:
- Badge number (the number on the driver's shirt sleeve): This is not required if you do not board the bus.
- Bus number: This is always required. This is the four-digit number of the coach (five for contract lines and three for rail lines), not the line it was on.
- Line number: This is always required as well. If explanation is still needed, this is the big number on the green or orange screen above the windshield that tells what street the bus works.
- Time of incident: Always required.
- Place of incident: What bus stop did you see the incident, and what direction was the bus traveling?
- Division number: This is optional and almost never used by most riders, but greatly speeds up reporting if it is available. The division is the garage the bus operates out of. This is either found in the corner of the windshield near the door, and Metro has plastered the numbers also above the rearmost passenger window and on the back either near the bus number or the center left. The divisions are GC-1, GC-2, SGV-3, SB-5, WSC-6/10, WSC-7, SFV-8, SGV-9, SFV-15 and SB-18. Division 6 is a part-time garage in Venice (soon to be Culver City) and is administered by Division 10.
The more information you give Metro, the better it can respond to it. And, whenever you see something wrong, do not hesitate to report it.
.Information originally, and generously provided by commenter Wad in a comments section earlier on this blog.
Labels: bus, complain, file complaint, los angeles, metro, mta, subway, train
