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| Re: Is it time NYCT consider peak/off peak fare structure? (1321062) | |||
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Re: Is it time NYCT consider peak/off peak fare structure? |
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Posted by New Flyer #857 on Mon Oct 27 13:03:27 2014, in response to Re: Is it time NYCT consider peak/off peak fare structure?, posted by Broadway Lion on Sat Oct 25 18:57:35 2014. Ok, I am willing to admit that such an extreme trip (Wakefield to Far Rockaway) can't be done in $5 unless you have quite an economical car, but it was an extreme example for the point I was trying to make.You should note that while 55-cents per mile is a standard rate used, most cars, and especially my Corolla, are way under that. 55-cents per mile is a rate more often used to ensure that the driver does not lose money, even with an expensive vehicle. Also, the vehicle cost per mile drops significantly lower the more frequently you drive. Therefore, my point is that if someone already owns a car and is pondering the Wakefield to Far Rockaway trip at peak hours, they have the option to: 1) Pay for the car's continued daily insurance (for me, about $7) while leaving it home to pay the $5 fare on MTA -or- 2) Pay for the car's continued daily insurance and the fuel to make the drive (about $5.20 -- and that's on a bad day for my car-- while avoiding tolls), and my typical maintenance cost, which is about 5 cents per mile, or another $1.75. Yes, most expense-savvy people aren't going to go out and buy a car over the $5 fare, but anybody on the fence is going to instinctively run to their car, as, if you have your license and car already, you'd only be talking about a $2 difference per trip. When you think of what you're already paying for your car, you would think twice about whether it's better to use public transit while you're still paying on the car. And like I say, this is an extreme example. Think of the opposite extreme, where you just want to go a mile or two. Even with the 55-cent standard that's only $1.10 in the car, but still a $5 fare with the original proposal. You will almost certainly lose many riders who just want to cross the four outer boroughs or go a few train stops to cars. Yes, you have to have a fare and there will always be some trips where driving will be cheaper, but why make it so that driving is more attractive more often? |
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