Originally Posted by
heresy
Now YOU are sounding like an economist.
One small point: passengers dependent on wheelchairs have to travel with the wheelchair; passengers with bikes choose to travel with the bike. Besides, not making the trains wheelchair-accessible would violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (at least, I think it would), and the ensuing lawsuits would probably be more expensive than making trains wheelchair-accessible in the first place.
I suspect NCTD will eventually find a solution.
Yeah, I wouldn't seriously propose charging more for wheelchairs. I don't like charging more for bikes as I think bike/train commuting should be encouraged. I agree they'll get it figured out in their own bureaucratic manner. It's a tough situation. Since the train is actually losing money and requiring government subsidies, the cost of a second car is going to be a pure expense for them.