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| Re: MTA Bus Ridership Dwindles As Subway Gains (233990) | |||
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Re: MTA Bus Ridership Dwindles As Subway Gains |
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Posted by BusMgr on Thu May 26 10:48:27 2011, in response to MTA Bus Ridership Dwindles As Subway Gains, posted by Gold_12th on Thu May 26 03:36:39 2011. This downward spiral is part of a larger trend than admitted. For a brief period there was an increase in ridership brought about by a fare decrease: the institution of free transfers to and from the subways. Prior to that fare reductions the same type of decline was evident. Take away the effects of the free transfer and I would expect the same declining trend to been seen even during the period of apparent "increase."Bus speeds are probably a good part of the reason, but the excuse of "traffic congestion" is mere deflection. There might be marginal changes in level of congestion, but the levels of traffic congestion in the City of New York have not changed considerably. The real reason for slower bus speeds is a conscious effect by the NYCTA to engage in practices that slow down service. In years past drivers would work their butts off keeping a schedule. They would hustle, encourage their passengers to step lively while boarding and alighting, and not always curbing the bus buses where it would add significantly to dwell time. Passengers dropping only one or two coins or a token into the farebox could board much more quickly than with today's fare collection system. Dispatchers along the route would encourage their drivers to move along and keep the schedule. Buses were designed with both more seats and an internal circulation pattern that allowed for less internal congestion. Doors on buses, both at the front and the rear, operated more rapidly. Overall, the buses operated more on the basis of moving people and vehicles quickly rather than the current system of avoiding liability. |
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