4 ms·

I think it is reasonable to point this out. When I lived in Seattle, I took the express buses between Seattle and Redmond on a daily basis. They sound like the

I think it is reasonable to point this out. When I lived in Seattle, I took the express buses between Seattle and Redmond on a daily basis. They sound like the ones that you describe. However, the buses within the city of the Seattle were a completely different situation. Messy, smelly, and often carrying people who could be upsetting or at least make you feel uncomfortable. Taking a bus originating from the second-wealthiest county in the United States should not be regarded as a typical experience.

tathougies 8y ago
But the government funding these systems is the same -- the state of California. Also, the Marin system still deserves commendation. First of all, while it is a rich county, there is still a large wealth gap. There is a substantial number of obviously poorer people on the buses as well. Some routes mainly serve disadvantaged areas. Yet, the buses serve everyone, and people still want to ride them. And they're still pretty nice. Why punish people who may already be struggling with an awful bus ride? Secondly, the counties to the south of San Francisco are pretty darn rich (probably richer than Marin, TBH), and their public transit options suck. I spent many years in south bay, and despite all the money people throw around there, the bus system was awful. There are certainly poorer areas in the United States where the main factor limiting adoption and tech improvements is a lack of funding. However, there are also plenty of really rich counties (in California at least) where the lack of a good bus system is simply due to a complete unwillingness to invest in good public infrastructure.
- dragonwriter 8y ago
  > But the government funding these systems is the same -- the state of California. No, it's not the same, and though the State of California is among the indirect funders of both, it's not the government directly responsible for either. The government funding GGT is the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District. The government funding Muni is the City and County of San Francisco.
  - tathougies 8y ago
    The City and COunty of San Francisco is really friggin rich.
- stevejb 8y ago
  http://time.com/money/3014512/richest-wealthiest-highest-income-counties-america-united-states/ http://time.com/money/3014512/richest-wealthiest-highest-inc... It seems that there aren't many counties richer than Marin. And, a large wealth gap may just mean, there are some rich people, and some really rich people. Are the "obviously poorer people" still on iPhone 6's and 2015 MacBooks? (ok that part is sarcasm). The point is, if you are getting the bus in Marin county, you are getting on the bus with others who are also in Marin county. That is going to heavily bias the experience because of the people, not the quality or cleanliness of the bus.
  - tathougies 8y ago
    > Are the "obviously poorer people" still on iPhone 6's and 2015 MacBooks? (ok that part is sarcasm). No... Marin has some really poor parts. > The point is, if you are getting the bus in Marin county, you are getting on the bus with others who are also in Marin county. That is going to heavily bias the experience because of the people, not the quality or cleanliness of the bus. But this still doesn't explain why the buses in Santa Clara and San mateo county aren't up to par.
  - dredmorbius 8y ago
    Marin City and San Rafael's Canal district are generally poorer. Also less well served. Many people in San Rafael and Novato are fairly solid middle class. Outlying areas range from redic wealth to rural poor. There's wealth, yes, but as with that future of Gibsons, there are somme kinks in the distribution.

tathougies 8y ago

But the government funding these systems is the same -- the state of California. Also, the Marin system still deserves commendation. First of all, while it is a rich county, there is still a large wealth gap. There is a substantial number of obviously poorer people on the buses as well. Some routes mainly serve disadvantaged areas. Yet, the buses serve everyone, and people still want to ride them. And they're still pretty nice. Why punish people who may already be struggling with an awful bus ride? Secondly, the counties to the south of San Francisco are pretty darn rich (probably richer than Marin, TBH), and their public transit options suck. I spent many years in south bay, and despite all the money people throw around there, the bus system was awful. There are certainly poorer areas in the United States where the main factor limiting adoption and tech improvements is a lack of funding. However, there are also plenty of really rich counties (in California at least) where the lack of a good bus system is simply due to a complete unwillingness to invest in good public infrastructure.

dragonwriter 8y ago
> But the government funding these systems is the same -- the state of California. No, it's not the same, and though the State of California is among the indirect funders of both, it's not the government directly responsible for either. The government funding GGT is the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District. The government funding Muni is the City and County of San Francisco.
- tathougies 8y ago
  The City and COunty of San Francisco is really friggin rich.
stevejb 8y ago
http://time.com/money/3014512/richest-wealthiest-highest-income-counties-america-united-states/ http://time.com/money/3014512/richest-wealthiest-highest-inc... It seems that there aren't many counties richer than Marin. And, a large wealth gap may just mean, there are some rich people, and some really rich people. Are the "obviously poorer people" still on iPhone 6's and 2015 MacBooks? (ok that part is sarcasm). The point is, if you are getting the bus in Marin county, you are getting on the bus with others who are also in Marin county. That is going to heavily bias the experience because of the people, not the quality or cleanliness of the bus.
- tathougies 8y ago
  > Are the "obviously poorer people" still on iPhone 6's and 2015 MacBooks? (ok that part is sarcasm). No... Marin has some really poor parts. > The point is, if you are getting the bus in Marin county, you are getting on the bus with others who are also in Marin county. That is going to heavily bias the experience because of the people, not the quality or cleanliness of the bus. But this still doesn't explain why the buses in Santa Clara and San mateo county aren't up to par.
- dredmorbius 8y ago
  Marin City and San Rafael's Canal district are generally poorer. Also less well served. Many people in San Rafael and Novato are fairly solid middle class. Outlying areas range from redic wealth to rural poor. There's wealth, yes, but as with that future of Gibsons, there are somme kinks in the distribution.