Comments on: As Muni Prepares for Route Changes Saturday, Deeper Service Cuts Loom

By: Ellen

Ellen — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:46:38 +0000

Until the public throughout California realizes that there is a role for govt. in providing public services, and that tax revenue is necessary to fund these services, we’ll continue on our path to third world status. Restricting Prop. 13 to owner-occupied residential housing would do more to solve a myriad of problems than any piecemeal actions.

By: Jamison Wieser

Jamison Wieser — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:32:27 +0000

@the first commenter, it costs money to operate transit service and Muni service is the biggest operational cost in the SFMTA budget. That’s simply a statement of fact and it would only really be a shock if their was something else costing the SFMTA more than Muni.

@Akit, the state cut around $54.8 million from the SFMTA budget, and the Mayor’s budget cut another $24 million in funding from the City. Those and a lot more smaller cost increases and revenue losses happened after the SFMTA budget (not quite a balanced budget, but the gap was closing and would have been even narrower the next year) had been approved.

The Board of Supervisors has a roll in this as well. When the SFMTA came to them to approve about $14 million in service cuts, it was the Board of Supervisors, not the SFMTA who added around $9-10 of new service before they’d approve the cuts. That is not as adversarial as it sounds, the Board trusted the MTA to make the decisions about what to cut and add without any micromanagement, but still it negated most the saving,.

Likewise, even if the entire SFMTA Board were to, say for example… vote unanimously to extend meters 24/7, it wouldn’t go anywhere unless they could get the Board of Supervisors to approve it as well. If anyone wants to see parking hours extended, you have to work on getting your district supervisor to support it as well.

By: zsolt

zsolt — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:09:42 +0000

The first commenter is right on. Why don’t we just eliminate service altogether and get rid of this pesky “cost”. We could finance many more parking spots with that money! Quick, someone tell ANSWER.

By: pylondude

pylondude — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:12:45 +0000

Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger is in the city doing his impression of Al Gore telling us what areas of the Bay might be affected by global warming. All the while cutting funds for and not supporting transit. Too bad we can’t all have bio-diesel Hummers.

By: Kenny L.

Kenny L. — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:31:33 +0000

Ford’s got to go. He’s an idiot.

By: taomom

taomom — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:21:39 +0000

We are in this fix because the State of California cut all (or almost all) funding for public transportation during our memorable summer-long budget crisis. They pushed the pain down to the cities, and now we are feeling it in spades. I agree, we need to raise taxes to fund decent public transportation. I vote for a gas tax. Increased parking costs would also be acceptable. Certainly it’s not acceptable for Muni drivers to add to costs by not showing up for work.

By: Akit

Akit — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:07:44 +0000

How in the hell does Muni get into the point where there’s a $19 MILLION mid-year deficit with all the deferred maintenance going on? That’s absolutely nuts.

As for those service changes, did the SFMTA publish a time schedule? No. They just handed their scheduling stuff to Google Maps and 511′s Trip Planner program, but we the people need a full time schedule to make Muni accountable for no-shows and lateness.

The public will continue to get angry at this agency until some real action starts rolling. Start protesting, putting fliers in the literature holders of the buses and trains, call your city supervisor, and tell Newsom and Ford to shove it.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:31:47 +0000

It is really disgusting to see Ford and Mayor Football Bat brag about these cuts and lie about them. It’s even more disgusting to watch the Chronicle print these lies and mislead the public.

The MTA board and Ford are bankrupt when it comes to leadership or running the system. Time to change it all – this system is simply not working, and to keep running around protecting an idea that has failed, namely the MTA commission appointment process, is fucking idiotic.

By: John Murphy

John Murphy — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:26:29 +0000

“I wish Mayor BadCoif McTantrumpants had a spine and would get behind raising revenue from parking.”

This implies he thinks that is the right thing to do regardless of how it affects his fundraising. I’m not sure.

By: Really Mr. Ford? Really?!

Really Mr. Ford? Really?! — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:22:49 +0000

How in the world can the director of a transit agency characterize transit service as a “cost driver.” Service is your raison d’etre, Mr. Ford!

I wish Mayor BadCoif McTantrumpants had a spine and would get behind raising revenue from parking. Doing everything in their power to raise revenue for transit is the Mayor’s and Ford’s mandate.

Pity the agency’s transit side is self destructing just as we get the good news about all the bike lanes.