The White Horse
Disconnect at Cap Met
RECEIVED Sat., Jan. 30, 2016
Dear Editor,
Dedicated bus lanes were part of the original MetroRapid proposal; however, Watson and then-board chair Martinez proposed items they were legally not allowed to implement.
MetroRapid service has low ridership because Capital Metro implemented premium fare – which was not part of the groundbreaking at the Chinatown Station.
The agency did not critically examine a consultant proposal before voting on it. They also resisted public comments and concerns about an additional category.
Our peers in San Antonio, El Paso, and Houston offer similar vehicles – but local fare is payment.
Capital Metro's own internal figures show that the 801 line performs 1,000 riders below expected levels. People most needing public transit chose the cheapest methods because we do not have money to spare.
Disconnect of Capital Metro staff from functional and economic realities of public transit is extremely embarrassing. These people need to leave Austin.
Additional people will start riding Capital Metro when this agency is thoroughly cleaned out and completely reformed.
Dedicated bus lanes were part of the original MetroRapid proposal; however, Watson and then-board chair Martinez proposed items they were legally not allowed to implement.
MetroRapid service has low ridership because Capital Metro implemented premium fare – which was not part of the groundbreaking at the Chinatown Station.
The agency did not critically examine a consultant proposal before voting on it. They also resisted public comments and concerns about an additional category.
Our peers in San Antonio, El Paso, and Houston offer similar vehicles – but local fare is payment.
Capital Metro's own internal figures show that the 801 line performs 1,000 riders below expected levels. People most needing public transit chose the cheapest methods because we do not have money to spare.
Disconnect of Capital Metro staff from functional and economic realities of public transit is extremely embarrassing. These people need to leave Austin.
Additional people will start riding Capital Metro when this agency is thoroughly cleaned out and completely reformed.
Robin Otlowski
