Slog
News & ArtsThursday, February 19, 2009
Olympia Metro: (Potentially) Screwed
Posted by Erica C. Barnett on Thu, Feb 19, 2009 at 4:47 PM
I don't know what $100 million in Metro budget cuts will mean for the bus routes I take from Southeast Seattle, but, systemwide, it translates to a 20 percent cut in service—at a time when more people are riding Metro buses than ever before (20 percent more than three years ago). Routes that now run once every half-hour may run only every 45 minutes. Metro could decide to cut some low-"performing" routes entirely. And buses that are already packed at rush hour could become even more so. Forget hoping for a seat—you may soon be hoping your bus doesn't pass you by because it's too full.
The county has asked the legislature for authority to levy a new car licensing (motor-vehicle excise, or MVET) tax. But legislators have been cool to that option. A couple of weeks ago, when Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown (D-3) was in the Stranger offices, she said she didn't think an MVET would "be accepted by the public right now. ... We're at a point where it has to fly with voters for it to fly," Brown said. "The county needs to look at other options."
Larry Phillips, a King County Council member and candidate to replace Ron Sims county executive, says he's been calling state leaders, attempting to impress on them the urgency of King County's situation. "It doesn't have to be MVET," Phillips says. "It could be something that we take forward for voter approval." One option is to use some of the taxing authority of the King County Ferry District, which remains largely untapped; dedicating the ferry authority's property tax to Metro would require approval from the legislature and the voters. "It's not a stretch [for ferry money to fund transit], when you think about it, because the ferry district is about mobility," Phillips says.
Meanwhile, to pay for a countywide funding shortfall that remains in the tens of millions, state senator Ross Hunter (D-48), another potential candidate for county exec, has introduced legislation that would give King County a whole slew of new taxing options. And a bill in the senate, sponsored by Sens. Debbie Regala (D-27), Adam Kline (D-37), and Karen Fraser (D-22), would give counties the authority to levy a utility tax on unincorporated areas (parts of a county that are not part of a city). Thirty percent of the revenues from that tax would have to be spent on criminal justice.
3
The problem @1 is that many routes in the core are already packed above the gunnels during peak commuting times as it is; as Erica points out, not only is there no place to sit, but you're lucky if the bus even stops because frequently there's no room to pack in more SRO's at certain points.
I think the only practical solution is more fare increases - I just can't see the state legislature allowing tax increases at a time when government at every level are facing shortfalls, while at the same time voters are clinging to the "no new taxes" mantra (understandable to some extent, since EVERYONE is being hit hard economically). Making the users pay for the increase makes sense, although it also risks pushing a good chunk of them off the buses and back into their cars, which would only exacerbate the situation.
But, what else can Metro do?
I think the only practical solution is more fare increases - I just can't see the state legislature allowing tax increases at a time when government at every level are facing shortfalls, while at the same time voters are clinging to the "no new taxes" mantra (understandable to some extent, since EVERYONE is being hit hard economically). Making the users pay for the increase makes sense, although it also risks pushing a good chunk of them off the buses and back into their cars, which would only exacerbate the situation.
But, what else can Metro do?
4
I know everyone says you "don't raise taxes in a recession," because that allegedly makes things worse. But I think that a downward spiral in Metro service quality has the potential to be very damaging to the regional economy, to say nothing of the environment. If people who rely on public transportation -- who tend to be on the lower end of the economic spectrum already -- start losing their jobs because they can't get to work on time or at all, we are essentially manufacturing those future "bread lines" that have gotten so much press here recently.
I know that no one wants more taxes, but there are some kinds of spending that either takes place now or takes place later. This is an expense that can either be confronted as it emerges, or we can pay it (plus interest) in other forms for years to come.
I know that no one wants more taxes, but there are some kinds of spending that either takes place now or takes place later. This is an expense that can either be confronted as it emerges, or we can pay it (plus interest) in other forms for years to come.
5
I have an idea.
Let's kill the Ride Free Zone.
And then cancel the 60 percent of low-ridership routes outside Seattle, so we get the 40 percent of transit we pay taxes for, instead of 20 percent.
Either that or form our own County.
Let's kill the Ride Free Zone.
And then cancel the 60 percent of low-ridership routes outside Seattle, so we get the 40 percent of transit we pay taxes for, instead of 20 percent.
Either that or form our own County.
6
@ 3 I doubt very much that Metro could make up for $100 million dollars in fare increases, considering that only 1/3 or so of it's operating costs comes from fares. Additional fare increases would amount to a regressive tax increase as it would impact lower-income riders much more than those in the upper-tax brackets. Eliminating the ride-free area or some sort of tax-increase should be considered. Not all taxes deepen recessions.
7
Also, a big thumbs-up for killing the ride free zone. It's pointless, confusing, and whoever thinks it's still a good idea should be forced to sit at the very back of the 550 eastbound and exit (via the front!) at the Rainer freeway stop. Every day for a year.
9
I'm all for killing the ride free zones. It's definitely confusing. Of course tons of homeless people exploit the ride free zones just to ride 2-3 damn blocks
10
Whatever happened to the Bicycle Registration tax? That would seriously help a lot. It might even deter theft.
Oh, wait, that's irresponsible. Just like lowering Metro funding.
Ah well, we all get screwed in the end, especially in this economy...
Oh, wait, that's irresponsible. Just like lowering Metro funding.
Ah well, we all get screwed in the end, especially in this economy...
11
@3 ftw
Kill the Free Ride Zone! How come you aren't proposing this too ECB? Geesshh! And increase the fares substantially.
The only reason fares contribute to ONLY 1/3 of operating costs come from fares is BECAUSE THEY ARE SO LOW!
Look folks. It is time to start having a transit system for those citizens paying SOME taxes towards the transit system. THEIR needs should be considered first and foremost. Therefore, all of us middle income folks riding TRANSIT are FUCKING SICK AND TIRED of the homeless dredges that take up more than half the room, cheat the system and basically ride around the free ride zone all day for some entertainment.
WHY DON'T we start priortizing the hard working folks who are willing to pay a couple bucks more per ride? I'd gladly pay $2 more per trip if I knew it would mean NO FREE RIDE ZONE, and less riff raff taking up valuable seats.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
I'm tired of subsidizing entertainment and free rides. That was SOOO ten years ago. Time to move forward.
Kill the Free Ride Zone! How come you aren't proposing this too ECB? Geesshh! And increase the fares substantially.
The only reason fares contribute to ONLY 1/3 of operating costs come from fares is BECAUSE THEY ARE SO LOW!
Look folks. It is time to start having a transit system for those citizens paying SOME taxes towards the transit system. THEIR needs should be considered first and foremost. Therefore, all of us middle income folks riding TRANSIT are FUCKING SICK AND TIRED of the homeless dredges that take up more than half the room, cheat the system and basically ride around the free ride zone all day for some entertainment.
WHY DON'T we start priortizing the hard working folks who are willing to pay a couple bucks more per ride? I'd gladly pay $2 more per trip if I knew it would mean NO FREE RIDE ZONE, and less riff raff taking up valuable seats.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
I'm tired of subsidizing entertainment and free rides. That was SOOO ten years ago. Time to move forward.
12
Without the ride free zone your bus will crawl. Drivers have enough to do. It would add a significant amount of time to an already stessed time table. Canning the ride free zone would not even generate more revenue.
13
@5 - Those are some good points. I never understood the ride-free zone and I doubt it helps anyone.
The lack of MVET is an embarrassment. Every other part of the country has that.
Also, I think a lot of the commenters on here have never ridden the bus in the city.
The lack of MVET is an embarrassment. Every other part of the country has that.
Also, I think a lot of the commenters on here have never ridden the bus in the city.
14
@12: the bus already crawls. And about 3/4 of the time, I don't even get a chance to show my pass to the driver when I get off away from the zone, since it's too stuffed to get to the front door. The Ride Free Zone sucks.
15
The #1 reason we even have a transit system is so low income people can have mobility. If you want to pay more money so you don't have to sit next to black people, they have these things called cars now.
16
The #1 reason we even have a transit system is so low income people can have mobility. If you want to pay more money so you don't have to sit next to black people, they have these things called cars now.
17
@12: Chicago, which has a larger, busier and much denser business core than Seattle's, does fine with no ride free area. Yes. it also has rail transit. but the buses themselves are just as busy as they are here. The drivers have no problems taking fares upon entrance while also driving around the Loop at rush hour.
19
I'm not sure eliminating the ride free zone will do anything for revenue, since the downtown business associate pays Metro for it. It should still be killed for being stupid, however.
20
if anyone would like to check out the metro budget numbers, the link below:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/man…
if they want MVET increases, they really need to correct the evaluation system and enforcement.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/man…
if they want MVET increases, they really need to correct the evaluation system and enforcement.
21
Joe Metro will always be the Shame Train. Ride free zone or not. I thought cramming people together supposedly made folks smarter? The bus is one of the last great equalizers
that we must endure. Getting rid of the ride free zone because of smelly homeless drunks and rowdy kids is not a good enough reason.
that we must endure. Getting rid of the ride free zone because of smelly homeless drunks and rowdy kids is not a good enough reason.
22
maybe we could experiment with 1st class buses or perhaps start buying the doubledeckers and make upstairs 1st class.
remember those stupid people arguing that the ST taxes should go to better bus service? remember people saying that we needed more money for buses now? remember Sims saying more money for buses?
really, there are opportunity costs.
remember those stupid people arguing that the ST taxes should go to better bus service? remember people saying that we needed more money for buses now? remember Sims saying more money for buses?
really, there are opportunity costs.
24
I've been saying for years to give up the ride free zone. I admit don't know what the solution is. Right now commuters are paying $4 a day, $20 a week to ride the bus. This is not going to get people out of their cars. Cutting back service doesn't seem like the answer either. If anything, some routes, like the 44 from the UW to Ballard, need to run more often during peak hours, and in fact their needs to be an alternate bus that goes to Wallingford, then North on Stone Wat up to at least 65th, if not farther.
25
boy, driving in seattle is going to SUCK when they cut 20% of the total service.
especially since of that something like 60% of those cuts will be from the seattle area.
also note that because of the 20/40/40 law, it will be years, YEARS, before we get back to the levels of service we have today.
especially since of that something like 60% of those cuts will be from the seattle area.
also note that because of the 20/40/40 law, it will be years, YEARS, before we get back to the levels of service we have today.
28
This is what the Democratic Party's vision looks like in the state of WA right now:
-no tax reform
-no keynsianism or counter-cyclical economics (ie deficit spending to prevent the onset of a depression)
-cuts to essential services when we need them even more than before
But at least we know they HEAR us, and they FEEL our pain...
-no tax reform
-no keynsianism or counter-cyclical economics (ie deficit spending to prevent the onset of a depression)
-cuts to essential services when we need them even more than before
But at least we know they HEAR us, and they FEEL our pain...
30
Hey, look, it's "I change my post name all the time troll" at 29 and other places.
I never fail to marvel at the hard right trolls I encounter here and elsewhere who accuse their opponents of the sins they themselves are guilty of. I guess projection is part of the hard right psychological profile.
I never fail to marvel at the hard right trolls I encounter here and elsewhere who accuse their opponents of the sins they themselves are guilty of. I guess projection is part of the hard right psychological profile.
31
No. 28 --- Unfortunately the state of Washington hasn't quite yet seceded from the United States of America, and as a consequence it can't print money nor can it engage in deficit spending to fund the state operating budget.
What is only mentioned at the end of the SLOG posting is the countywide budget shortfall, however it failed (perhaps due to the timeliness of the reporting) that today the state announced its deficit has increased to a stagering $8 billion and counting. I bet King and most every other county in the state would like to run to the state and ask for help, however at this point any available monies should really go to those counties that truly need it....And if you look around, you'll quickly agree that King doesn't even begin to qualify.
Lastly, we should start thinking about Seattle and its pending revenue shortfall disaster. The city council was very recently touting it $30 mil. rainy day fund which they were hoping would see us thru the current downturn. Unfortunately, I suspect the city unwittingly spent that money when it couldn't or wouldn't keep the streets clear of snow during the all important X-mas shopping season. Somebody forgot just how important sales tax reciepts are to the budget during that time of year.
And that, boy and girls, is the way the ball bounces. If you aren't frustrated now, you shortly will be.
What is only mentioned at the end of the SLOG posting is the countywide budget shortfall, however it failed (perhaps due to the timeliness of the reporting) that today the state announced its deficit has increased to a stagering $8 billion and counting. I bet King and most every other county in the state would like to run to the state and ask for help, however at this point any available monies should really go to those counties that truly need it....And if you look around, you'll quickly agree that King doesn't even begin to qualify.
Lastly, we should start thinking about Seattle and its pending revenue shortfall disaster. The city council was very recently touting it $30 mil. rainy day fund which they were hoping would see us thru the current downturn. Unfortunately, I suspect the city unwittingly spent that money when it couldn't or wouldn't keep the streets clear of snow during the all important X-mas shopping season. Somebody forgot just how important sales tax reciepts are to the budget during that time of year.
And that, boy and girls, is the way the ball bounces. If you aren't frustrated now, you shortly will be.
34
Strange idea: pay for what you use. How about a $1 fare increase and no ride free zone? Tolls make sense on roads, USPS should pay for mail delivery with postage fees, and if Metro can't break even on its own revenue streams, it's undercharging.
35
Blarg. It would be pretty easy to find $100 million if we didn't have to spend $220 million on a new jail or who knows how many billion we continue to pour into our obsolescing highway system. Everything gets subsidized, we just need better priorities.
36
@30: Perhaps you didn't know this, but deficit spending in WA state requires neither secession nor revolution. IT IS LEGAL.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/po…
It is not wise fiscal policy during regular financial times, and it's not sustainable in the long term. But it buys time to figure out structural, longer-term fixes to the economic crisis we're in, and it makes more sense than reducing enrollment to universities and cutting social services at a time when we're facing double-digit unemployment (which they already have in Oregon).
In addition to deficit spending and tax reform (reduce sales tax to spur economy, income tax on wealthiest 10 percent to offset revenue loss), cutting tax breaks for corporations that don't need them is another option that our Democratic party doesn't have the stomach for.
When Democrats tell us there is no alternative to suicidal budget cuts, what they are really saying is that those who benefited the most from the boom of the last 30 years should continue to be protected the most from our current downtown. But these contractions by the public sector-- these alternatives to increasing taxes on the super rich-- won't spur the economy. They'll send it deeper into a tailspin. At least that's what happened under Herbert Hoover. Maybe the state Democrats have discovered that Hoover was right after all?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/po…
It is not wise fiscal policy during regular financial times, and it's not sustainable in the long term. But it buys time to figure out structural, longer-term fixes to the economic crisis we're in, and it makes more sense than reducing enrollment to universities and cutting social services at a time when we're facing double-digit unemployment (which they already have in Oregon).
In addition to deficit spending and tax reform (reduce sales tax to spur economy, income tax on wealthiest 10 percent to offset revenue loss), cutting tax breaks for corporations that don't need them is another option that our Democratic party doesn't have the stomach for.
When Democrats tell us there is no alternative to suicidal budget cuts, what they are really saying is that those who benefited the most from the boom of the last 30 years should continue to be protected the most from our current downtown. But these contractions by the public sector-- these alternatives to increasing taxes on the super rich-- won't spur the economy. They'll send it deeper into a tailspin. At least that's what happened under Herbert Hoover. Maybe the state Democrats have discovered that Hoover was right after all?
38
WHAT IS IT ABOUT 35 DOLLAR CAR TABS THAT YOU LIBS DONT UNDERSTAND NO ONE RIDES THE DAMN BUSES EXCEPT POOOR PEOPLE LET THEM GET UP EARLIER IF THEY CAN MOST OF THEM ARE UNEMPLOYED ANYWAY
THIS TOWN HAS BEN RUN BY LIB IDIOTS FOR TOO MANY YEARS YOU ALL HAVE ROCKS FOR BRAINS PROBABLY SWALLOWED TOO MUCH COME
THIS TOWN HAS BEN RUN BY LIB IDIOTS FOR TOO MANY YEARS YOU ALL HAVE ROCKS FOR BRAINS PROBABLY SWALLOWED TOO MUCH COME
39
36
Super!
Let's borrow money from our grandkids so winos can ride the bus downtown for free.
I'm sure they'll thank us.
Super!
Let's borrow money from our grandkids so winos can ride the bus downtown for free.
I'm sure they'll thank us.
40
As much as I would love to see an income tax, it would require changing the constitution, which involves a vote of the people. Generally speaking, the people are too stupid and reactionary to realize that they are being taken advantage of by the wealthy in this state, who are essentially a parasite on society.
"But the rich will move!" they cry, which is bullshit. The rich don't live here because of tax policy. They live here because it's a beautiful part of the country. But even if there was a wholesale exodus of Medina, Mercer Island, and The Highlands, it would free up a lot of real estate for normal people to live on.
The rich shouldn't only be taxed on their income. The rich should be taxed for being alive.
"But the rich will move!" they cry, which is bullshit. The rich don't live here because of tax policy. They live here because it's a beautiful part of the country. But even if there was a wholesale exodus of Medina, Mercer Island, and The Highlands, it would free up a lot of real estate for normal people to live on.
The rich shouldn't only be taxed on their income. The rich should be taxed for being alive.
42
"....but deficit spending in WA state requires neither secession nor revolution. IT IS LEGAL."
Trevor, you are absolutely correct. Thank you for correcting me and my statement at 31.
Trevor, you are absolutely correct. Thank you for correcting me and my statement at 31.
43
hey guys,
it's not just bums who ride the bus. and, i know this is hard, poor people are people too. i'm sure you would love to see them lose their jobs because their 5:00 am bus ride got canceled, but that would really only make things worse for everybody.
it's not just bums who ride the bus. and, i know this is hard, poor people are people too. i'm sure you would love to see them lose their jobs because their 5:00 am bus ride got canceled, but that would really only make things worse for everybody.
44
KILL THE RIDE FREE ZONE.
Replace it with a Youth Fare area where we all pay the lowest rate (e.g. 50 cents)
Replace it with a Youth Fare area where we all pay the lowest rate (e.g. 50 cents)
45
@17: Chicago also has debit-type fare cards, drastically reducing the number of people who waste precious minutes feeding coins one by one into the slot. And you can't really do debit fare cards in Seattle, because there are no train stations where you could reload your card. Also, CTA's budget is just as screwed as Metro's, if not worse.
46
@45: A lot of Chicagoans (particularly those who use the buses) don't live near train stations, so would wind up refilling their cards while downtown. There's no reason this wouldn't work here, with kiosks in the tunnel and the major transit centers.
Of course, Chicago switched to an ORCA type smartcard several years ago (though you can still use the magnetic strip fare cards) that is easily reloadable not only at the kiosks, but online.
As for people paying cash: I've spent a lot of time on both Metro and the CTA, and in my experience it's just about the same number of coin-feeders on both systems.
Finally, I agree that getting rid of the Ride Free zone isn't going to solve the budget problems. My gripe is mainly about the massive headaches caused by the policy of forcing people to exit via the front door on a bus that's packed like a can of sardines. As has been pointed out, many drivers don't even enforce this, and basically put people on the honor system until the bus thins out enough to allow people to make it to the front without squishing everyone else. That's: A) something many riders are grateful for; B) another potential source of lost fares.
Ride Free Zone: Pointless, incredibly irritating, and possibly a source of a small but significant amount of lost revenue.
Of course, Chicago switched to an ORCA type smartcard several years ago (though you can still use the magnetic strip fare cards) that is easily reloadable not only at the kiosks, but online.
As for people paying cash: I've spent a lot of time on both Metro and the CTA, and in my experience it's just about the same number of coin-feeders on both systems.
Finally, I agree that getting rid of the Ride Free zone isn't going to solve the budget problems. My gripe is mainly about the massive headaches caused by the policy of forcing people to exit via the front door on a bus that's packed like a can of sardines. As has been pointed out, many drivers don't even enforce this, and basically put people on the honor system until the bus thins out enough to allow people to make it to the front without squishing everyone else. That's: A) something many riders are grateful for; B) another potential source of lost fares.
Ride Free Zone: Pointless, incredibly irritating, and possibly a source of a small but significant amount of lost revenue.
47
Guess I'm going to be forced to buy a car once Metro shits itself completely. Great. Oh well, with the collapse of the state there will be no more cops to bust me for not paying for car insurance.
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