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How the hell is making the buses free until Monday fair to the paying customers of Halifax Transit? The folks that pay for their monthly pass, every month, without fail…
So now instead of sharing a cramped ride in a tin can with the regular passengers, we’re going to have to share an even more cramped ride with people who want to ride the bus simply because they can and hey, it’s free.
The transit system here is a total joke. From my experience on the buses, it’s a pay-whatever-you-want service anyway. So many times I’ve seen people argue with the drivers after being caught dumping in way less than the $2.50, only to be allowed to ride anyway.
I know it’s been said numerous times before by people on here, but I’m seriously considering investing in a vehicle. —Tired of Transit
This article appears in Mar 19-25, 2015.
No joke carpool to work. Since doing so my quality of life has gone through the roof, leave an hour later get home an hour earlier we do have a vehicle for errands a small toyota echo paid completely off we spend 45 dollars a month in gas on. Dumping the bus was 100% the way to go. (coworker loves it to i give him the cost of a bus pass every month for gas money works great)
It’s only as short-term inconvenience for regular users to address the problem of snow removal. A few days hardly make that big a deal. I think the only way they could let bus pass users benefit from the free days would be to discount April’s passes to offset.
Maybe the bus should be free at all times for everyone. It would be paid for by a carbon tax on all fossil fuels. It would make taking transit a more compelling value.
The selfishness…have you looked outside lately? Do you not see how bad parking and driving conditions are? Getting as many people to take the bus as possible is a big benefit to you and the rest of the city. Jam as many cars as usual downtown and traffic would be more of a nightmare than it already is. But ya, your seat on a bus is more important to you clearly.
Do yourself a favour, take a step back and see the big picture, not just your own little bubble of space.
P.S. thanks for taking the bus. Egghead, what are ya trying to be bold with an idea like that?
Invest in a horse instead.
The buses were ”free” as an incentive for people to leave their vehicles at home so the crews would be better able to clear the roadways. Of course, this is all about you and your bus pass. Remember, there are others living in your world and we tolerate you to an extent.
One weekend of free bus service and you now want to want to purchase a vehicle? LOL, that makes about as much sense as you calling the transit system a joke yet faithfully purchase a pass each month for the aggravation of riding the bus.
TaSB,
Social democracy is a good system but a lack of boldness is one major drawback. Politicians at all levels are afraid to alienate voters so change tends to happen at glacial speed.
I’m not a raving anti-automobile type but there is clear evidence that walking, cycling and taking public transit is better for our mental and physical health. We could eventually reduce health care costs by getting more people out of their cars.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/11095120/Getting-the-bus-or-train-to-work-makes-us-happier-than-driving-study-finds.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/11042821/Ditch-the-car-and-lose-half-a-stone-research-shows-public-transport-linked-to-lower-BMI.html
BTW, half a stone is 3.15 kilos.
I’m on board with your idea and completely agree with your point on politicians. They’re in it to get elected, not serve the public good. Sure there are good politicians out there, but the money backing the parties won’t support progressive thinkers.
This is why I will be voting green.
How is this fair? How is it fair that property taxes prop up this transit “system” to the tune of about 60% of the budget? So boo-hoo if you have to endure a bit of cramped riding. Maybe if you were shouldering the whole bill you’d have something to gripe about. But in this case you don’t, so screw off.
I have a brand new car and I’ve been taking the bus all week because its been free, i hope i’m inconveniencing you greatly.
They even complain about free bus fare…
That’s why an empty bus is a happy one.
they already advertised that the march passes will be good into April for as many days as it’s free so stop being a whiny baby. If that isn’t good enough and you simply must get a car then I really don’t think anyone is sad to see you go, especially if you are this unbearable at all times.
Hmm…In a couple months (or less) HT will be bitching about the money the free fares cost them.
Fare increase ahead folks.
Rest well knowing that should you find yourself short, the driver will let you on…?
As discussed, the free bus is to encourage people to leave their vehicles at home Mr. Glasshalfempty.
Nobody cares about your 12 bucks, numbnuts. By buying a pass you are already getting an advantage (much cheaper than paying for each fair) that people who don’t buy one don’t get, two if you include the fact your bus pass is tax deductible and tickets or paying cash are not. Please take your entitled attitude and fuck right off!!!
That’s fare not fair shitmd, even the spelling police need policing.
blah blah blah about the extension… all you’re doing is moving the issue to a later month in order to try to avoid the whole issue.
I was initially pissed about it but I do see how shitty it is out and had to drive a bit this past weekend. It is certainly no treat trying to pull out across lanes where you can’t see for the 7 foot fucking snowbank on the corner.
What I’m pissed about more-so is that they haven’t moved more of the longer buses to the main routes now that everyone and their kid’s uncle is taking damn transit…
or putting a couple buses on the route at the same time to accommodate the increase.
My route(s) used to be busy at peak times… now they’re just plain overflowing.
Fucking idiots… you make something free and ACTIVELY ENCOURAGE people to use it, at least ACCOMMODATE the people you’re trying to convince… as well as the REGULARS paying for the system so we’re not standing like a sardine for hours on end just trying to get through another shitty ass day in this hell hole.
Keep reading, Gagonmydick, won’t be my last GRAMMAR mistake. Fair, even if it was used incorrectly, (an oversight on my part I will admit) was spelled correctly.
One thing that should be pointed out is that the buses are NOT free until Monday. Because of the delays in posting bitches, the bitch is well out of date. Well done!