The T is FREE on Friday (Boston, Cambridge: buying, universities, taxation)

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by timberline742

No, I didn't. I've chosen not to live in far flung suburbs and take the commuter rail. I understand that is a trade off (wanting a bigger / better / cheaper living space, for further/more expensive/less reliable commutes) and I chose what is best for me.

I'll stick the the T. And if it goes down, as it did far too often, I'll walk or take out the mountain bike; as I did this past winter.

The failure of this winter is all the better reason for them to take the money (and actually charge what they should charge, even Chicago is 33% more for a monthly pass, and having lived there and used it, it's really about the same system quality wise), and invest in the infrastructure to prevent this from happening again. The system is antiquated. They shouldn't be giving discounts at all, the system needs ever single penny.

These far flung suburbs you speak of are less than 20 miles from downtown. Just because you can afford to live in the city doesn't mean everyone else can. FYI - I actually fared better than people who lived in Quincy and relied on the red line. Is that a far flung suburb too?

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Dm84

These far flung suburbs you speak of are less than 20 miles from downtown. Just because you can afford to live in the city doesn't mean everyone else can. FYI - I actually fared better than people who lived in Quincy and relied on the red line. Is that a far flung suburb too?

Afford to? I find it cheaper, because of reduced transportation costs. I'm looking to move to Worcester because my work wants me at our office out there. It will cost me more to live there than Somerville does, in the end.

People can live most anywhere, if they work professionally in Boston, if they make the trade offs. Plenty of my friends in Somerville earn around 30k a year, not groundbreaking sums.

And no, I don't consider Quincy far flung (but 20 miles is pretty far out there!!) They also aren't reliant on the commuter rail, so you're changing the issue, again. I have friends in Quincy. They had some issues, but like me, most biked in. As did my friends in JP. Or found other ways.

There shouldn't have been the issues there were, which is why the system needs proper investment. And not taking away money from a poorly funded system. $75 a month/unlimited, is a damn joke.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Afford to? I find it cheaper, because of reduced transportation costs.

People can live most anywhere, if they work professionally in Boston, if they make the trade offs. Plenty of my friends in Somerville earn around 30k a year, not groundbreaking sums.

And no, I don't consider Quincy far flung. They also aren't reliant on the commuter rail, so you're changing the issue, again. I have friends in Quincy. They had some issues, but like me, most biked in. As did my friends in JP. Or found other ways.

There shouldn't have been the issues there were, which is why the system needs proper investment. And not taking away money from a poorly funded system. $75 a month/unlimited, is a damn joke.

Not everyone is single. Not everyone is physically fit enough to bike several miles in 10 degree weather. Some people have spouses who don't work in Boston so it makes more sense to live in the suburbs. Just because you found a solution that worked for you doesn't mean everyone else can do the same thing. Everyone's experiences are valid.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Dm84

Not everyone is single. Not everyone is physically fit enough to bike several miles in 10 degree weather. Some people have spouses who don't work in Boston so it makes more sense to live in the suburbs. Just because you found a solution that worked for you doesn't mean everyone else can do the same thing. Everyone's experiences are valid.

And those choices they've made (to get married, for their spouse to choose a job outside of Boston, or them to choose one inside Boston, to not keep in shape, etc) have repercussions. We make our own beds.

Taking money out of the pockets of an inadequately funded T system does NOTHING to improve it. Nothing. It's just idiotic.

[Cantabridgienne]

I stand corrected, the T is discounting passes by 15% for the month of May. Which obviously just a token gesture, but not quite as insulting as a "free day".

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Cantabridgienne

I stand corrected, the T is discounting passes by 15% for the month of May. Which obviously just a token gesture, but not quite as insulting as a "free day".

It's worse than insulting. It is fiscally idiotic!! They need the $$$!!!

[Shutout]

Originally Posted by timberline742

It's worse than insulting. It is fiscally idiotic!! They need the $$$!!!

The don't want to lose customers. Some people would probably say "f it, I'm driving in, can't rely on the T". Maybe this entices them to change their mind once they factor in costs.

[KellyCrash]

You all have valid complaints and concerns. Mine are frivolous. My kids loved riding the Metro in DC. They've never spent much time on the T. That is because the husband hates Boston and wants nothing to do with the city & I am from small town USA. Cities are intimidating to me as are their transportation systems. I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and take the kids on the T. They've been before, but it's been so long ago they don't remember. Turns out we have plans Friday. Not sure about the weather for tomorrow. Maybe this summer. The money isn't really an issue. Kids ride free so I'd just be paying for myself. I would go free or not.

If you don't invest in the infrastructure of course it's going to fail you eventually.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by timberline742

It's worse than insulting. It is fiscally idiotic!! They need the $$$!!!

If you really feel that way you are welcome to buy a Zone 10 pass for May. It will cost you a paltry $307 with the 15% discount. That equals the cost of about 5 link passes that you claim aren't cheap enough and gives you the same unlimited ride privileges that your current underpriced pass has. Maybe you can recruit all your friends to do the same. While you're at it you can check off the higher tax rate box on your state tax return since you think the government isn't taking enough money from you.

[ormari]

Originally Posted by timberline742

The failure of this winter is all the better reason for them to take the money (and actually charge what they should charge, even Chicago is 33% more for a monthly pass, and having lived there and used it, it's really about the same system quality wise), and invest in the infrastructure to prevent this from happening again. The system is antiquated. They shouldn't be giving discounts at all, the system needs ever single penny.

There is some common sense to this logic, for if they improve the service, ridership will return. And clearly they need improvements to the system. However, they also need to increase their operating efficiency, and ought to rein in their personnel. There is a real sense that employees are taking advantage of customers.

People are frustrated with the MBTA. Actions speak louder than gimmicky discounts.