Question: Do you know why city buses have blackout windows?
Answer: So nobody can see how few people ride on them!
I’m not against public transportation; it’s a service that is important to many in our county. What I question is why we have these $300,000 vehicles with very expensive drivers transporting one or two people around. Why don’t we use something like Ride On. It would be more convenient for the user; they wouldn’t have to walk to the bus stop and then walk from another bus stop to their destination. Yes, Ride On will pick them up and drop them at a specific location.
I realize the county will have to subsidize a service like this, but it will be less than what we are currently paying and provide better service to the users.
Richard Henwood
Arroyo Grande
This article appears in Nov 9-19, 2017.
Well said.
I’m not sure who informed you of what the drivers make, but I’m a driver, and I work my tail off to provide a living for my family. We are not as you say, “very expensive”. Many of us work overtime and second jobs in order to make ends meet. We are real people in your community that are working to provide a service, and it’s pretty cheap as it is. In SLO, it’s $1.50 for a ride, and you get a transfer. Monthly passes are cheaper. We provide services for college kids and the buses are packed, homeless folks going from day shelters to night shelters, and the buses are packed. It tails off in the evening, but there are still customers whose needs we meet. We have a pass that allows workers downtown to ride free to help alleviate congestion as well. There are discounts for seniors, and disabled folks, and our VIP passengers over 80 ride for free, so do small children. From someone who has been driving for over a year and half now, it’s rewarding because you get to help people who need to be helped, but financially, it’s not the most lucrative career. I love driving, I love people, and I love my community.
GLB,
Los Osos