Thursday, March 11, 2004
VTA Board Holding Last Meeting Tonight
This is the first time they have ever sought public input concerning their plans. Am I the only one who is struck by how odd that is? After working for VTA for a while most drivers take for granted the disconnect between upper management and the public. We often laugh at its various manifestations.
Upper managers who decree that riders in the Toyon area WILL pay twice for a ride beyond White and McKee. The same managers who later reverse their first "Thou Shalt". Routes that change number in the interests of making it less confusing for the customers (24 -> 23A -> 24 -> deleted). Routes that morph into something completely different with no change in number "to better serve the area covered" (88, 67). And the best one of all -- raising the fare while decreasing service. This one is supposed to increase farebox revenue. Of course, they forgot to account for the more than 40% decrease in ridership that resulted from that one.
No doubt, management will soon publish a glowing report of its findings from these public hearings complete with a declaration of renewed commitment to the public interest. And, no doubt, they will continue with business as usual.
