Here’s an idea on how the people of NYC can get even with them…

Now we know we can’t all boycott the subway or busses because “no work” then “no pay” right?
and none of us want to waste our vacation days for some silly boycott…

but…

What if we (everyone in NYC and the Outer Boroughs and CT/ NJ ) picked one day a week, say Friday because the commute into the city on Friday is horrible anyway…and all of us telecommute to work? In other words, those that have remote capabilities to dial into the office using a home computer and work from home, do so? Of course it depends on your job function.

For the record, there are thousands of us who work as Computer Professionals, Financial Industry, Executives, etc who already have this ability to dial in remotely…with all the new technologies to hold meetings online it would be a no brainer .

Think of the massive protest and message we can send to the MTA and Port Authority thieves, and other gov’t agencies…also…
there are monetary savings for commuters, benefits to the environment, ease of congestion on the roadways…

more specifically:
o think how much commuting costs people can save, by not taking the Path, Subway, or City and Express busses, for me it would be $2.25 x2 (subway but 10.50 if I take express bus service)
+ $1.30 x2 PATH
+ 1.75 highway toll
+ $10.00 gasoline (37 miles each way)
o and gasoline savings for those who have to drive to a train station, this could bring down demand for oil .
o and bridge and highway toll revenues that the highways wouldn’t receive…
o and what about all that pollution and smog, this could help the environment as well.

and here is some food for thought …

what about doing this for the entire country…

• what if we extended this to all 50 states…? granted not everyone has a subway system, but they do have busses, and bridges, and highway tolls…and all use gasoline? talk about making an impact…

• and what if we did this more than just once a week?

shall I keep going on?

- joe

I’m surprised at the mildness of the layoffs. Fewer service hours mean fewer vehicle hours and less maintenance work. I’m sure the balance of the deficit could be made up by laying off more operators and maintenance staff who won’t be needed. Like it or not, in this economy, most of those staff will still be around to rehire in FY2011 (June) if need be. 300 staff at 50k a pop fully loaded turns into $15M. What gives MUNI? Mayor and supes: appoint some real managers and grow a little spine!

I would love the opportunity to vote on a source of stable funding for muni.

Maybe if we had politicians who really believed all that stuff they say, they’d put a local version of the gas tax on the ballot or something, anything, that can be counted on, and dedicate the proceeds to a well run Muni (not a “give away money to executives Muni) and to keeping roads repaired and safe for those who drive, those who ride transit, or ride a bike.

Also, we need to get Muni to stop calling us “customers’ or “consumers” – we are the OWNERS of Muni and the whole idea of Muni was to have a system run for the benefit of the people of SF first, not any one entity or office.

http://www.humantransit.org/2010/01/san-francisco-the-fuse-has-been-lit.html

Is this money that will be diverted from the Traffic Calming program (also Prop K funds)?

I just got through writing an article summarizing all things Muni:

http://sanfranciscodays.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/muni-all-things-considered/

And now this. Unbelievable.

I am furious about the current state of San Francisco’s Municipal Transit Agency, and I appeal to you to help make this the turning point at which we stop destroying the city’s transit system and start to heal it.

This is a petition to undertake the following actions:

An audit and public review of all payments and allocations from Muni funds, including funding of special programs, and invoices for services from other city agencies or departments.

The elimination of salaries paid from Muni funds to city employees who are not part of the operational staff of Muni.

The immediate removal of Muni Executive Director and CEO Nathaniel Ford for overseeing the systematic destruction of the transit system, misappropriation of funds, and lack of accountability.

Amendment of the city charter to remove all guarantees toward Muni employees.

The cancellation of union contracts, due to failure of the union to provide services commensurate with salaries and compensation, and disregard for the solvency of the city. New contracts drawn up with realistic terms for the city. If unions strike or fail to agree, then hire new non-union employees.

Immediate termination of Muni operators who have caused accidents or otherwise jeopardized public safety and/or caused the agency to be liable for judgments or settlements by disregarding traffic laws or safety protocols.

A review of all management positions and salaries within Muni, from the top down, by an independent panel, to determine actual services are rendered to the agency and whether compensation is merited. Findings to be made public and agency held accountable to restructure and eliminate or consolidate positions, per the best interests of the city.

Consequences including unpaid suspension and termination of Muni employees who receive public complaints or have high absence rates, and compensation and reward for those with positive feedback.

Solutions for specific ongoing mechanical and functional issues impacting Muni performance. These include repair of open and close mechanisms on all train doors to eliminate stalls and blockages, and overhaul of train dispatch systems to increase frequency of in-demand trains at peaks times and reduce wasteful train groupings.

Repair of fare boxes on buses and trains which have problems accepting bills. Installation of fare boxes at crowded bus stops and above-ground train stops.

A freeze on fare increases and cancellation of plans to pursue any further service reductions or route eliminations. A poll of residents and riders to determine routes and regions most needing increased or restored service. Incremental expansion and restoration of services and routes.

because they live where they can afford housing (read: in the outlying suburbs where realistic transit options aren’t available), or because their shifts start about 4am, when reliable transit isn’t available.

I estimate this innovative, progressive scheme would plug muni’s budget hole and then some.

How would you expect to run a stable organization when one of your major funding sources gets axed?

Split up the muni and the dpt.

the supervisors,the mayor,the mta boss and friends should take a big pay cuts.

Start ticking all the double parking deity worshipers.

Stop paying dpt to stand around and pull over people taking left’s on Market street.

Stop doing construction to put plants the middle of streets that will not be taken care and block on coming traffic.

Start pulling over bad bus drivers, cab drivers and most car drivers in the city and give them tickets and take away there licenses and make them go to driving school.

Start pulling over for bike’s for breaking the law and charge them.

Stop giving money and care to all the non productive people of San Francisco.

Oh by the way 80% of the people that live in the city don’t work in the city and you think muni suck try getting to work some where else.