Money for transit

Kudos to Metro's Budget and Finance Committee which has combed through the budget to find additional funds for the city's mass transit system.

We're disappointed they didn't come up with all the funds needed to restore all the routes that were cut, but it's something.

Kudos also to the public for stepping forward at hearings to complain about the cuts. It's our government and it's up to us to tell those we elected what our priorities are.

But we have to wonder if cutting funds and routes actually makes sense. In Milwaukee, Wis., a consultant who is a former chief financial officer of the Southern California Rapid Transit District, says, "ridership could double in five years if county officials restore the service that has been cut and lower the fares. Phasing in that approach, with service restorations first and fare cuts later, would cater to 'a huge unmet demand' for transit service that is growing as gas prices rise."

So better service and lower prices could increase sales. Sounds like Business 101 to us, but we also realize that what works in Milwaukee may not work in Nashville.

But it might be worth some research and investment in advertising and promotion to get people to ride buses on routes that are still in service. If ridership can be increased, the system could earn more money that could be applied to reopening closed routes.

It could also get people in the habit of using the bus and that's a move that would benefit all of us.

    -- Jim Grinstead

See also: NashTransit

Comments

[TN Blueneck]

I moved from NYC to Nashville years ago and, missing the respite of a daily subway commute (great for reading, relaxing, listening to music, etc.), I started taking the bus to work downtown. Funny thing is, everybody on the bus thought I was a DUI. The truth is, there's a stigma about public transportation in Nashville that I think might be easily overcome with an ad campaign. If better service and lower prices are business 101, then surely advertising should be part of the equation as well.