folder fanatic

While I do really like the idea of free public transit-https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?636422-Free-Public-Transportation-in reality, you must pay in a money orientated culture such as ours is. The best of all worlds is simply being able to pay. With the "Great Recession" still lingering probably for much longer than we care to admit, inflation along with a loss of precious tax dollars from a stable fully employed working/middle class, will continue for a long time. Here where I live translates into a more limited fare increases on the major bus & train companies:

MTA
https://thesource.metro.net/2010/04/22/special-meeting-to-be-held-to-discuss-fare-increase/

Foothill Transit
https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/rds_search/ci_14916716?IADID=Search-www.pasadenastarnews.com-www.pasadenastarnews.com

City Of Santa Monica Big Blue Bus
https://www.bigbluebus.com/newsandnotices/notice.asp?nid=161

Metrolink Commuter Trains
https://www.ocregister.com/articles/county-241870-line-orange.html

There are many other bus companies operating in the Southern California area. Most are either thinking or actually about to implement their own increases in fares. I guess that is the harsh reality of "getting out of your car." There is very little safe haven beyond walking or better yet, biking to your destination.

Thank God for my bikes and the good health to ride them. I don't feel so threatened by fare hikes or even the dreaded transit strikes that clouded much of the history of public transit in Southern California.

Roody

I'm sure that fares should be lowered in some locations. Transit companies need to realize that the only reason ridership is down in the last 12 months is because of the recession, with fewer people working and fewer people shopping. Like suicide, raising fares might prove to be a permanent solution to a temporary problem.