3 ms·

I can think of a couple of factors that lead to this state. One is: what is the cost of trying to collect those lost fares, will it even pay for itself? The sam

I can think of a couple of factors that lead to this state. One is: what is the cost of trying to collect those lost fares, will it even pay for itself? The same reason library fines are sometimes stopped, it costs more to collect than they will get. The other is that transportation money comes out of the same big bucket, it will cost too much to add lanes for cars, so they try to incentivize more people to take transit instead.

steveBK123 1y ago
This kind of logic is backwards to me. And I think it creates a slippery slope of disorder. Enforcing laws is not always cost efficient, but the less you enforce the more get broken. I see it applied to the concept of free buses in NYC where people argue that "when we introduced free buses, assaults on bus drivers went down". Personally I'd prefer not riding the bus next to a guy who is willing to commit assault over $2.90 (or $1.45 if eligible for income based discount if you make minimum wage.. so 6 minutes of labor income). There may be good reasons for free transit, but "we need to calm the violent guys down enough to get onto the bus peacefully" ain't it!
- lupire 1y ago
  Criminalizing behavior creates criminals. Riding the bus is a far less violent act then driving a car. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish.
  - zdragnar 1y ago
    This kind of excuse-making for bad behavior always baffles me. It's not like we can have a functioning government if the only regulations and laws it can enforce are against violent behavior. One example that always depresses me is going into a store in an area with a lot of shoplifting. There are stores near me that have so little issue with it that hunting ammo is literally just sitting out on shelves where anyone can grab it, and yet drive half an hour in the other direction to the nearest metro city and the pharmacies have to keep so many items behind locked glass cabinets to deter theft. Turns out, people are plenty good at being criminals on their own.

steveBK123 1y ago

This kind of logic is backwards to me. And I think it creates a slippery slope of disorder. Enforcing laws is not always cost efficient, but the less you enforce the more get broken. I see it applied to the concept of free buses in NYC where people argue that "when we introduced free buses, assaults on bus drivers went down". Personally I'd prefer not riding the bus next to a guy who is willing to commit assault over $2.90 (or $1.45 if eligible for income based discount if you make minimum wage.. so 6 minutes of labor income). There may be good reasons for free transit, but "we need to calm the violent guys down enough to get onto the bus peacefully" ain't it!

lupire 1y ago
Criminalizing behavior creates criminals. Riding the bus is a far less violent act then driving a car. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish.
- zdragnar 1y ago
  This kind of excuse-making for bad behavior always baffles me. It's not like we can have a functioning government if the only regulations and laws it can enforce are against violent behavior. One example that always depresses me is going into a store in an area with a lot of shoplifting. There are stores near me that have so little issue with it that hunting ammo is literally just sitting out on shelves where anyone can grab it, and yet drive half an hour in the other direction to the nearest metro city and the pharmacies have to keep so many items behind locked glass cabinets to deter theft. Turns out, people are plenty good at being criminals on their own.